Binghamton zoning law changes pass: What it means and what's next for students, landlords
The Binghamton City Council voted Wednesday night to approve a zoning law change that impacts student housing on the West Side.
The council passed the proposed zoning law change, 4-1. Councilwoman Angela Riley, who represents part of the West Side in the 3rd District, was the only vote against the proposal. Councilwoman Sophia Resciniti, whose 2nd district is most directly impacted by changes, president Phil Strawn, Giovanni Scaringi and Thomas Scanlon all voted for the proposal.
Councilwoman Aviva Friedman and councilman Joe Burns were both absent for the vote.
More about zoning changes:Here's what we know about the potential Binghamton zoning law change
Zoning changes announced:Proposed zoning law looks to curb student housing in residential Binghamton neighborhoods
What this means for West Side residents, students and landlords
The changes, which Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham outlined in July, modify the city's code definitions of family and congregate living, expand the residential multi-unit dwelling (R-3) district and alter rules for units with four bedrooms.
The R-3 district will be expanded to include the eastern portion of the West Side between Chestnut and Front Streets, where student housing is already heavily concentrated but is not currently legal, the city's assistant director of Planning, Housing and Community Development Tito Martinez said in the Planning Committee's Sept. 12 meeting.
The remainder of that R-2 district, south of Ayres Street, will become a residential single-unit dwelling (R-1) zone and a small piece of the R-2 area adjacent to Riverside Drive will also be converted to a R-1 district, "where it better fits the neighborhood character of that block," Martinez said.
The R-3 district will allow non-related students to legally share a residence and give the city better means of enforcement. Kraham said the changes would allow more families and non-students to find housing in a tight market.
The issue was at the forefront of a council meeting in September, when dozens of people expressed their concerns outside City Hall about the lack of available housing.
How the city breaks down student housing definitions
The zoning law changes state a group of four or more college students is not considered a family and also include:
Units with four or more unrelated college students will be prohibited in single-family (R-1) and two-family residential (R-2) zones.
Student housing may be allowed in multi-unit residential (R-3) zones after review and approval by the planning commission. Existing student housing units in multi-residential zones (R-3) must receive review and approval by the planning commission by July 1, 2023.
Landlords with student housing units not in multi-unit residential (R-3) or commercial zones will be subject to prosecution starting July 1, 2023.
If the city receives information about unapproved uses of property, Kraham said a zoning enforcement officer will investigate and cite if necessary.
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What's next?
During the planning committee's discussion of the zoning law changes on Sept. 13, members recommended the city council consider two additional elements:
Congregate living facilities should provide off-street parking within 250 feet instead of requiring the provision of on-site parking
Consideration of regulations around garbage storage.
The City council plans to talk about those potential amendments on Oct. 31.
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This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: What Binghamton zoning law change means for students, landlords
