I figured I'd just follow the last post with more controversy....
Let it be said that, while in college at Texas Tech, Lubbock ruled on this as well. It was referred to as the 'Whore House' law. Lubbock was having a problem in the historic district of fraternities taking residence and causing chaos. The law was ancient and dated from back in the wild west days of outlaws, but it was the neighborhoods only defense.
I find it interesting that my HOME TOWN is trying the same thing and we don't even have a college. My intuition would say this is probably trying to limit the migratory construction and farming workers from over inhabiting homes, even though that's not directly said.
New Braunfels has also seen a rise in crime and murder from 3 homicides a year to about 10 in the last couple years. Outside of this article there is speculation about gang activity coming into our town from San Antonio and Austin. That might be another reason for this new law.
All the same I find it interesting that seemingly outdated 'whore house' or 'living in sin' laws are being used in an attempt to solve modern day problems.
Here's the actual article from the Herald Zeitung.
New Braunfels Planning Commission
When: 4:30 p.m. today
Where: New Braunfels Civic Convention Center, 375 S. Castell Ave.
Having four non-related roommates could soon be illegal in New Braunfels.
The New Braunfels Planning Commission will hold a workshop Tuesday to discuss placing further restrictions on the number of people not related by blood who are allowed to live in single-family homes.
What has been referred to in other cities as a “living in sin” law stems from complaints from residents that their unruly, generally college-age neighbors are causing a public nuisance in local neighborhoods.
To address those concerns, the commission has considered only allowing three unrelated people to live in a single-family home.
“As an individual, you have certain private property rights, and one of those is the right to the quiet enjoyment of your home,” said City Manager Mike Morrison.
The current cap on unrelated roommates in New Braunfels is five people.
Residents have asked the planning commission to lower that threshold because of noise, but more because of the increased parking and street traffic caused by unrelated roommates compared to an individual family.
Similar ordinances exist throughout the country, including in neighboring San Marcos, which only allows two non-relatives to live together.
If more are caught occupying a single family home, the city of San Marcos issues a $900 fine for a first offense, which can be levied each day before they move out.
Planning Director Shannon Mattingly said on Feb. 2 that a new New Braunfels’ ordinance would be enforced on a complaint-driven basis.
But New Braunfels is not a college town like San Marcos, and one resident asked the planning commission on Feb. 2 if denying multiple unrelated roommates effectively restricts access to affordable housing.
“When we talk about our goals of affordable housing, I think we’re generally talking about family units, but there certainly are those who generally room together for budgetary purposes,” said Mayor Bruce Boyer. “I don’t know that the issues that come from that represent a widespread problem, but it certainly is a concern for some people.”
In addition to a roommate cap, the commission also is expected to discuss other possible changes to legislate against bad behavior, particularly in short-term rentals.
On Feb. 2, the commission considered limiting the amount of people allowed at a short-term rental at any given time, as well as how many cars can be parked on a rental property.
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