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Town vs. gown: Sometimes it's a coin toss
Published Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Every coin has two sides to it, but when it comes to a coin toss, someone’s got to call it.
And it seems there’s been one coin flipping through the air for quite some time — heads, Troy University and tails, every one else.
Sure there are many Troy University supporters throughout the community, but there are perhaps just as many who would probably prefer to ignore that university presence.
I have been part of the university community, and I have been part of the rest of the city.
As a Troy University student I’ll admit it’s easy to become absorbed in the university way of living with little reason other than Wal-Mart and an occasional meal to step beyond campus borders.
But now I’ve staked my claim as a resident of the city of Troy, and what I’ve found on the other side is more than I would have imagined in my four years of college.
I often wonder why it took graduating to learn about all that Pike County has to offer — why didn’t I know there was such a huge emphasis on arts in the community? Why didn’t I know that Pike County had a fair? Or that Brundidge had a Peanut Butter Festival and an Independence Day parade?
Why didn’t I know who the county’s biggest employers were and who represented me in the local government?
It could have been that I just didn’t take the time to learn, but perhaps, it’s partly because there is a great divide.
I have seen this divide that’s often unspoken become quite vocal at times in the community.
Sometimes it’s business owners frustrated with communication barriers that often come with the university’s international student population. Others have complaints of too many buildings named after the university chancellor. And lately, there’s been talk of Troy University just getting too big for its borders.
Take the recent rezoning of Highland Avenue, an issue that has been debated for at least the last three years.
Many of those who own property near the first block of Highland Avenue understandably don’t want students living in apartments near their homes. These people made their side of the story heard at countless city planning meetings and again last week when the Planning Commission ultimately approved the zoning change from R-1 single family living to an R-3 high density area.
I commend those who felt strongly enough to stand up so boldly each and every time.
That being said though, it is inevitable Troy University will have to grow, and perhaps this transition is the best option.
It is a choice that will put more housing near the university campus, and at the same time will keep single family living in the bulk of the neighborhood, and it’s a choice that was not made in haste.
Residents may not want college students living near their homes. I used to be one, and I wouldn’t have wanted to be my neighbor either.
But I challenge residents to look at the big picture of just how important Troy University is to the local community.
Troy University is hands down the largest employer in Pike County, and in the last year, it is the only employer to have seen significant growth in its workforce.
According to the Pike County Economic Development Industrial Guide, Troy added 246 employees in the last year. All other major industries either maintained employment, added only a few or decreased its employees in tough economic times.
Troy University is the backbone to many local businesses, bringing not just students who spend money but parents, sports fans and visitors from around the globe.
I sympathize with those who don’t want their property values decreased. I sympathize with those who don’t want noisy neighbors.
But in this coin toss, at least this time, I’m calling heads.
Holli Keaton is news editor of The Messenger. She can be reached at holli.keaton@troymessenger.com
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Comments
Posted by grammarxpert (anonymous) on July 28, 2009 at 8:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
According to the Pike County Economic Development Corporation's website, WalMart Distribution Center is the largest employer in Pike County with a workforce of 1,000. Troy University is second with 781. Wiley Sanders Truck Lines employs 775 people, Sanders Lead employs 400 and KW plastics employs another 183 people. That is 1,358 people employed by the combined Sanders companies which makes it the largest employer in the county, followed by WalMart Distribution Center and Troy University. Of course it would be beneficial to know the median and average income provided by each of these employers to accurately gauge the economic impact they have on Pike County.
Posted by zztrojan (anonymous) on July 28, 2009 at 9 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I stayed throughout the planning commission meeting and the one thing that didn't seem to make an impact was the fact that the Highland block in question is a single block in a subdivision that was R-1 since its inception. The homeowners purchased homes in that neighborhood in good faith believing that they would never have to fight this battle. Because the city willingly fails to enforce its zoning regulations with regards to renting to multiple students in a single family dwelling, it feels like I was deceived into believing that my neighborhood was protected from apartment development.
I believe the legal term is malfeasance.
My question is this. What is my legal remedy for the city's blatent dissolution of my R-1 neighborhood? Just because the university is an important employer does not give it the right to deny my rights as a citizen. The saleability of my property is now in question, as well as the safety of my family. Good neighbors keep a neighborhood safe, quiet and clean and transient tenants usually don't make good neighbors.
Posted by dragonlady (anonymous) on July 28, 2009 at 10:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The bottom line is that the city refused to enforce the zoning laws and then changed them to please the university.
I seem to remember a lady that lived in the log cabins that complained and threatened a law suit and everyone jumped on her and said she shouldn't be living where students live. Soooo...I moved where students aren't supposed to be living and along with others who are disgruntled, we are again being jumped on.
It is becoming crystal clear that the only people with rights seem to be those affiliated with the university.
Posted by regis (anonymous) on July 29, 2009 at 5:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks for the commendation, Holli. Now how about you buy my house? At a very large mark-up of course because you can rent it out to college students and then make a huge profit. Come on, whaddya say? You're a team player. It will be good for the whole community.
As I said in another post: "Sacrificing a few sheep to appease the gods is fine when you are a goat."
Posted by regis (anonymous) on July 29, 2009 at 5:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Never mind, Holli, I've decided that I am gonna move into an apartment and rent my house to an immigrant worker I know and his whole family. (All green card carriers of course.) They should be able to get about 60 in a house my size. And they will actually be a single family so they will be living there legally! Just doing my part to help the growing community.
Posted by regis (anonymous) on July 29, 2009 at 5:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
...the house is paid for so I'll just charge him $40/month to offset the property tax. And he'll have to keep the place up (that should be no problem with as many guys as will be living there). And regardless, it will be a LOT better maintained than the houses the college kids are living in. Why did I not think of this before?!
Posted by shiftingshadows (anonymous) on July 29, 2009 at 4:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i was displaced because of troy university about 5 years ago... i am not bitter about it... gee...
Posted by Blue_Sky (anonymous) on July 29, 2009 at 6:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Holli, I could not agree you more! TU is great for Troy and Pike County. It is great to live in or near a university town. The entertainment, the chance for education, the sports - - just can not beat the atmosphere.
Posted by regis (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 12:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What happened, shifting?
Posted by WTFman (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 12:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What would this city be without Troy University? Brundidge-North...... get over yourselves people and embrace something good for all of us. It is absolutely ridiculous the amount of support that the University does not receive from the locals.
Posted by zztrojan (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 2:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My family and I are supporters of the university, but we believe in the safety and quality of our neighborhoods. Family comes first.
We believe that a strong, safe neighborhood bordering the university is an asset, and the university should realize that we contribute in part to the quality of the university and the safety of its students. Look at universities in other places that have to fence themselves in to keep the crime out.
Posted by Blue_Sky (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 6:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I would not want anyone to be displaced from their property or for neighborhoods to suffer in the quality of living or property value. It seems to me that this could be discussed and worked out between the city and the University. Other University towns do not seem to have this problem - at least not as bad as voiced here. Surely there are solutions to allow the growth of the University and maintain the integrity of the family neighborhoods.
Posted by mom2ckis (anonymous) on July 31, 2009 at 10:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Troy used to be a larger town with a University in it, now times are changing, the University is growing and the town is not. The City of Troy is not keeping pace with the colleges growth. Drive up or down 231, everthing is being crammed into the same area, and traffic is terrible. I feel bad for the people who will be having to live in close quarters with college students, but what about holding those students responsible for their actions. Just because they are going to college does not mean they will be terrible neighbors. I think some people are giving all students a general "blanket" bad neighbors rap when just some of them are bad. There are very responsible college students that live in Troy and their neighbors don't have complaints about them. But just like other cities and towns that have colleges in them, not everyone HAS to support that local college. Just because it is close to where we live does not mean I have to be their number 1 fan. I support what school I want to, and it upsets me that some people would like it to be sort of manditory just because you live in or near Troy that you have to support Troy. You can support Troy and not be an all out Troy fan. My kids go to Troy, and we support Troy financially and buy the merchandise and what not, but we are still Alabama fans as well.
Posted by regis (anonymous) on July 31, 2009 at 11:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Since most people seem to have no problem with neighborhoods being rezoned, why don't we just go ahead and rezone EVERY neigborhood in Troy from R-1 to R-3?
I mean since it doesn't cause any problems and is for the betterment of the community, there is no reason not to do it to the whole town. Right?
So every one call Mr. Lott and tell him, "Mr. Lott, we are all in this together. We are 100% behind the growth of the university and this community. Therefore, my neighbors and I request that the board rezone our neighborhood to accomodate developers to build apartments and allow any and all who want to live there."
Come on! What are you waiting on?! Let's all work together as a team and get this thing rolling!! Who's with me?!!
Posted by regis (anonymous) on July 31, 2009 at 11:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ajnd WTFMan I expect you to be first in line to "embrace something good for all of us." After all it is "absolutely ridiculous the amount of support that the University does not receive from the locals." So show your support man! Have your neighborhood rezoned and push for the new apartment complex right next door!
Posted by mom2ckis (anonymous) on July 31, 2009 at 1:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Other colleges that have "outgrown" there area seem different, like a smaller city within a city. The University has no where to go. The citizens of Troy should not suffer because the University wants more money and over extends its student load. But also, there are alot of parents who like their kids going to Troy so they can live at home, or close to home. Our family owned a house in Troy and our daughter was going to live in it with two of her friends and all of them attend Troy together, but because of the zone regulations, she could only live there by herself. We have since sold the house and she went to another college. It is rediculous to say make all the neighborhoods R-3 zones. Troy is what my husband calls a "suitcase" town. When the students are in school at Troy University, business is booming, when they pack up and go home, things slow down. There is not an easy resolution to any of this. It just has to work itself out and sooner or later, there will be a compromise, or regular residents of Troy will be finding other cities or towns to move too. We did!
Posted by regis (anonymous) on July 31, 2009 at 2:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Exactly why would it be ridiculous to rezone every residential neighborhood in town from R-1 to R-3? Please be specific.
That that huge parcel of land between Crowe Hill and the elementary/middle school with nothing on it would make an ideal spot for a mega-apartment complex. You wouldn't have to worry about student housing for years. And it is conveniently located right there at the college.
Posted by zztrojan (anonymous) on July 31, 2009 at 6:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm with you, regis.
Posted by Observer22 (anonymous) on July 31, 2009 at 9:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
That last remnant of the golf course would be ideal for fraternity row and apartments. Didn't someone try to get the area around Crowes pond rezoned for high density residences to appeal to troy state students only to get denied because the city won't allow Crowe Hill property values to be assaulted just as they are bent on allowing values on the opposite side of Walnut Creek to be ravaged?
All these developers are building apartments assuming that Troy State will continue to grow and draw in 10,000 on-campus students. How many of that 10,000 estimate are commuters and on-line students who spend little if any time in Troy? When they speak of Troy state's payroll, how many of those employees they claim are really student workers who are not really paid but get a discount on tuition?
The problem is not just students living in residential neighborhoods - the problem is when single family dwellings are turned into communes. Mom2ckis could have had three students in an R-1 residence as long as two were related to each other (brother, sister, spouse) but the line is drawn at two non-relatives. Even Octo-Mom could legally move into Crowe Hill.
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