HomeMy WebLinkAboutTHE GROVE AT FORT COLLINS - PDP - 16-10B - REPORTS - CORRESPONDENCE-HEARING (29)Student Housing: Not Just a CSU Problem
Fort Collins hasn't become a world class community because we are afraid of tackling challenges. Our
ambition, forward thinking, and sense of community has turned a dusty college town into one of the
premier communities in the country. However, it is important to remember that our progress brings a
new set of challenges that this community must rise to meet. Large numbers of new residents are
settling into Fort Collins, students especially, because this is such a special place to call home. When I
was a freshman, in 2007, there was a total university enrollment of 27,569. Now, that has jumped
dramatically to an enrollment of 29,932, with more coming this fall. It's easy to simply say CSU should
discontinue adding large numbers of students year to year but this kind of growth is happening to all of
Fort Collins so this issue reaches beyond students. What has made the student population explosion
unique is that our large numbers and rapid increases are changing the character of long established
neighborhoods. Regardless of how people feel about the cities' "3-Unrealted" policy, what we all have
to agree on is that it, coupled with other factors, have created two fundamental problems we need to
address. First, it has restricted the housing market forcing students to spread out further and further
from campus, thus impacting more neighborhoods. Second, there is an increasing shortage of rental
housing in Fort Collins meaning prices are going up. Now, students might be able to fork over a few
extra dollars but for low income families, who compete with students in the rental market, this is
probably not an option. In a Coloradoan article published on May 12`", the vacancy rate this year has
dropped to 4 percent compared to 4.9 percent a year ago and the average cost of rent rose 7.5 percent
in the same year-to-year statistics. I remember the arguments during the "3-Unrealted" debate and I
was inspired by how many neighbors, who supported "3-Unrelated," also supported increasing housing
options for students. Many talked about how crucial it is to build new apartment complexes to give
students greater choice in where they live, possibly shifting some students out of single family
neighborhoods. Where are those voices now? If neighbors want to help preserve single family
neighborhoods, we have to increase housing options. Yet, when major student housing developments
come to Fort Collins, they have been met with fierce opposition by many of the same people who,
several years ago, talked so forcefully in support of more student housing. CSU adding more beds on
campus is a step in the right direction but it is only half of the equation and it is irresponsible to assume
this will be the solution to all of our housing problems. So, I encourage everyone who cares about
preserving single family neighborhoods and preserving the character of Fort Collins to come and voice
support for more student housing options to the Planning and Zoning Board on June 161" and City
Council at their respective meetings. The citizens of this town need to show that we are not just
blowing smoke about student related issues. Rather, we are true to our character and willing to tackle
the most divisive and difficult issues presented to us. After all, that's why everyone wants to live here in
the first place.
Chase Eckerdt,
Director of Governmental Affairs, Associated Students of Colorado State University