Council to vote on housing
plan
By Heather Mangold
City
Editor
West Lafayette mayor Sonya Margerum expects a large
turnout for a discussion of a new housing ordinance for West Lafayette
at tonight's city council meeting.
At the meeting, the West Lafayette City Council
will vote on whether a new ordinance concerning single-family dwellings.
The ordinance would require more frequent rental
inspections for single-family dwellings in West Lafayette. The ordinance
has created some controversy between city leaders and local landlords.
"The ordinance was really started because of health
and safety issues that had been brought to the city's attention," said
Margerum.
Local landlord Bill Zobrist said the new ordinance
does not have the best interests of students' health and safety in mind.
"Students are going to have to pay more," said
Zobrist. "Before we know it, students aren't going to be able to go
to college here at Purdue."
The proposed ordinance would increase rental inspection
fees and, most likely, landlords would pass the increased costs on to
students.
Zobrist said he encourages concerned students to
contact their council members about the ordinance.
Brad Windler, city council member, said the ordinance
was designed to improve the living conditions for students.
"This is not as much geared toward students as
it is trying to get landlords to do their job," said Windler.
A committee meeting was held on April 27 to discuss
the ordinance further. Margerum said some minor changes were made to
the ordinance since it last went before the council in April.
In addition to taking the second and final vote
for the new ordinance, the council members will vote on rezoning proposals
for various areas in West Lafayette.
The developers of an apartment complex that would
be located on the corner of McCormick and Lindberg roads have proposed
that the area be rezoned to a planned development area.
The proposal to rezone the vacant lot on the corner
of State Street and Andrew Place will also go before the council at
tonight's meeting.
The meeting will start at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall,
609 W. Navajo.
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