Can't believe Hoosier missed posting this one, lol.
www.ajc.com
By KELLY SIMMONS
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 02/11/06
Athens — University of Georgia President Michael Adams sharply criticized Athens-Clarke County officials Thursday for passing a moratorium that prevents fraternities and sororities from buying or building houses in the county.
The action taken Tuesday night by the Athens-Clarke County Commission will prevent the Sigma Nu fraternity from renovating and moving into property it recently purchased on Meigs Street, a few blocks from the campus and downtown Athens.
The building is the former site of the Salvation Army. Adams said the Sigma Nu purchase "bears the opportunity of improving that site."
Commission members approved the moratorium after receiving complaints from residents who did not want the fraternity in their neighborhood.
It prohibits Greek organizations from acquiring permits to construct or purchase houses in Athens-Clarke County until Aug. 1. Until then, commission members plan to review zoning codes to determine whether fraternity and sorority houses should be allowed in residential neighborhoods.
Adams said the way the commission handled the issue is as troubling as the action itself. The discussion was not put on the agenda until Tuesday morning, less than 24 hours before the meeting.
"This kind of late night immediate reaction to a single issue is not how I think we ought to do business," he said.
More than three-quarters of the university's fraternity and sorority houses are located in residential neighborhoods near the campus, and have been there for years, Adams said. While they have a responsibility to behave as good neighbors, Adams said, "they also have some rights."
"It seems to me the Sigma Nus are well within their rights," he said.
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