UCONN's Future

[JMick]

Such as?

Nuisance ordinance: Unlawful conduct includes, but is not limited to, individually or in combination with other misbehavior, excessive pedestrian and vehicular traffic(*a), obstruction of public streets by crowds or vehicles, illegal parking(*b), the service of alcohol to underage persons, underage drinking, fights, creating a public disturbance, breach of the peace, trespassing, disorderly conduct, littering, simple assault, threatening, harassment, illegal burning or use of fireworks, urinating or defecating in public, lewdness, criminal mischief, crimes against property, or excessive noise.

A.) This ordinance has been used to shut down streets heavily rented by UCONN students which impede their Freedom of Movement rights. (For the uninitiated: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_movement_under_United_States_law) The town has used this to block free travel within the town by setting up diversions and the closings of roads that lead to and from campus.

B.) This section within the ordinance coupled with another town ordinance has ticketed renters and vehicle owners alike who choose to park one or more tires on the grass of their rented property. This is used by police to come unto rented properties as it as seen as a violation of the ordinance.

Couple these with the ordinance imposed on rental properties to allow no more than 3 unrelated persons to rent a dwelling of any size and it's obvious what the towns agenda is. A 15 bedroom house can only rent to 3 persons, in effect driving up rental costs to discourage rentals. One could argue that the ordinance impedes the free market and creates a monopoly to established owners who are grandfathered into allowing more than 3 persons per dwelling.

 

[BlueMAB]

The town of Mansfield wouldn't survive without UConn? Huh?!

I tried to give you the benefit of doubt, but you're starting to sound like the spoiled brat that people initially accused you of being.

 

[JMick]

The town of Mansfield wouldn't survive without UConn? Huh?!

I tried to give you the benefit of doubt, but you're starting to sound like the spoiled brat that people initially accused you of being.

The entirety of the towns economy is sustained due to the University. Without the school the town would incur a humongous loss of revenue through taxes. Housing prices would fall and Mansfield would turn into a slum.

 

[BlueMAB]

And this is the petty crap you think Herbst should be getting involved in? Talk about self-absorbed.

 

[BlueMAB]

The entirety of the towns economy is sustained due to the University. Without the school the town would incur a humongous loss of revenue through taxes. Housing prices would fall and Mansfield would turn into a slum.

Who are the towns largest taxpayers, and what percentage of the grand list do they account for?

 

[JMick]

Who are the towns largest taxpayers, and what percentage of the grand list do they account for?

Businesses and rental property owners. All supported by students

 

[CTMike]

This isn't just a pile on JMick thread... But I would propose that much of what you mention are perceived affronts to your freedom, versus actual real encroachments on your life liberty and pursuit of happiness.

 

[huskymedic]

Nuisance ordinance: Unlawful conduct includes, but is not limited to, individually or in combination with other misbehavior, excessive pedestrian and vehicular traffic(*a), obstruction of public streets by crowds or vehicles, illegal parking(*b), the service of alcohol to underage persons, underage drinking, fights, creating a public disturbance, breach of the peace, trespassing, disorderly conduct, littering, simple assault, threatening, harassment, illegal burning or use of fireworks, urinating or defecating in public, lewdness, criminal mischief, crimes against property, or excessive noise.

A.) This ordinance has been used to shut down streets heavily rented by UCONN students which impede their Freedom of Movement rights. (For the uninitiated: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_movement_under_United_States_law) The town has used this to block free travel within the town by setting up diversions and the closings of roads that lead to and from campus.

B.) This section within the ordinance coupled with another town ordinance has ticketed renters and vehicle owners alike who choose to park one or more tires on the grass of their rented property. This is used by police to come unto rented properties as it as seen as a violation of the ordinance.

Couple these with the ordinance imposed on rental properties to allow no more than 3 unrelated persons to rent a dwelling of any size and it's obvious what the towns agenda is. A 15 bedroom house can only rent to 3 persons, in effect driving up rental costs to discourage rentals. One could argue that the ordinance impedes the free market and creates a monopoly to established owners who are grandfathered into allowing more than 3 persons per dwelling.

Imagine that... residents want to be treated w/ respect and not have their property values go in the crapper by a subset of students who could care less they are non-resident. This happens in college towns across America. Take a look down towards the shoreline at the battle between Town of Hamden and Quinnipiac University. Neither side is winning the Dic/Dic contest.

 

[JMick]

This isn't just a pile on JMick thread... But I would propose that much of what you mention are perceived affronts to your freedom, versus actual real encroachments on your life liberty and pursuit of happiness.

Well, it's always a "pile on anyone who doesn't support Herbst" thread, like every other thread that mentions her name.

God forbid someone give a dissenting opinion. Nothing worse than an echo-chamber.

I don't like her. A lot of people don't like her. Students who actually went/go to school at UCONN while she has been/is the President of the University probably have a better idea of general student sentiments... just sayin.

Herbst doesn't react well to student-driven policy issues and doesn't acknowledge daily issues UCONN students face. She may be great for the bigger picture, worth of your degree, etc. But she has had questionable gaffes in relation to on campus incidents and has not helped off-campus students in any capacity with their issues related to the town of Mansfield.

Everyone can tell me I'm wrong all they want, but I'm not the only recent grad or current student who shares these sentiments.

 

[JMick]

Imagine that... residents want to be treated w/ respect and not have their property values go in the crapper by a subset of students who could care less they are non-resident. This happens in college towns across America. Take a look down towards the shoreline at the battle between Town of Hamden and Quinnipiac University. Neither side is winning the Dic/Dic contest.

Residents that live .1 miles off of UCONN campus and complain about student activity can go F themselves. UCONN has been here since the 19th century - most of the people complaining haven't been here 10 years. They get lower housing prices because of the school. They get all of the locally owned businesses they have access to because of the school. They get great education fueled by the taxes of these businesses due to the town. They want to reap all of the benefits without any of the implicated slights living right next to a college campus.

 

[BlueMAB]

Businesses and rental property owners. All supported by students

Who, specifically. The information is out there. Generic answers like "businesses and rental property owners" is just plain wrong.

Who specifically are the largest taxpayers? I'll give you a hint, it's a utility company. But what percentage of the grand list does it make up? I'll give another hint, less than 1%.

The residents make up around 2/3rds of the grand list, not the businesses. You pretty much have no idea what you're talking about.

 

[Nostical]

So JMick, here's an old adage that goes "try walking in the other guys shoes". Let's pretend you're no longer a student renter. You're actually a property owner who is renting to students. Now you're at the Town Meeting to discuss these proposed ordinances. Have at it.

 

[BlueMAB]

1) lower housing prices is not a good thing.
2) the lower housing prices would be an indicator that the slights are not implicated, but actually very real.

 

[JMick]

So JMick, here's an old adage that goes "try walking in the other guys shoes". Let's pretend you're no longer a student renter. You're actually a property owner who is renting to students. Now you're at the Town Meeting to discuss these proposed ordinances. Have at it.

Town Property owners who rent to students agree with me... Rented for 2 years, they hate the town ordinances that prevent them from renting their 4-5 bedroom houses to more than 3 people. They resent that the town sends out enforcement agents to check on rental properties to assure no more than 3 cars are in the driveway. They resent the fact that there are town officials who will park their car outside their rentals and take pictures of how many people go in and out of a residence during a given period. They resent the fact that the town goes to all properties and gives them a "parking sheet" that details how cars must be parked in a driveway - and if you don't park your cars in that fashion you will be fined.

Seriously, I'm not kidding. The town decides how you're allowed to park in your own driveway. If you don't park in the "authorized" parking spaces, you are fined.

 

[BlueMAB]

So JMick, here's an old adage that goes "try walking in the other guys shoes". Let's pretend you're no longer a student renter. You're actually a property owner who is renting to students. Now you're at the Town Meeting to discuss these proposed ordinances. Have at it.

Now let's pretend the student, who is there for 3-5 years, and believes that not being able to park a car on a lawn he doesn't own is a violation of his civil liberties, just told you to . Because that's reasonable discourse.

Yeah, Herbst sucks for not sticking up for these entitled brats.

 

[JMick]

Now let's pretend the student, who is there for 3-5 years, and believes that not being able to park a car on a lawn he doesn't own is a violation of his civil liberties, just told you to . Because that's reasonable discourse.

Yeah, Herbst sucks for not sticking up for these entitled brats.

You obviously don't understand renters rights and you don't realize that owners of rental properties hate the town.

 

[BlueMAB]

You obviously don't understand renters rights and you don't realize that owners of rental properties hate the town.

That's funny, cause you obviously have no idea who I am and what I do for a living. I wonder if it ever dawned on you that the owners of the rental properties are a minority of property owners in the town? But yes, I'm stunned that property owners would be upset at not being able to cram more people into houses in order to boost their income.

The fact you won't answer my question about the grand list with specifics, which is as easy as a google search, is very telling.

 

[raf46]

She's simply magnificent.

Get us in thebig or the 12.

 

[BlueMAB]

Is it in any way possible that maybe Herbst and the University don't want to increase the number of students living off campus and driving to school? We're talking about increasing the number of college kids, many of whom will be drinking 2-3 nights a week, driving to/from campus.

I honestly don't know if it's the case, but it is entirely possible that UConn pressures the town to keep off campus housing to a minimum for a number of reasons.

 

[JMick]

Is it in any way possible that maybe Herbst and the University don't want to increase the number of students living off campus and driving to school? We're talking about increasing the number of college kids, many of whom will be drinking 2-3 nights a week, driving to/from campus.

I honestly don't know if it's the case, but it is entirely possible that UConn pressures the town to keep off campus housing to a minimum for a number of reasons.

Entirely possible. More money for the school, less issues with calling in snow days/inclement weather, possible less incidents of drunk driving, etc. Granted, drunk driving is not nearly as prevalent as it once was. Students luckily have more options in regards to sober drivers than ever before and they aren't like their parents who drove drunk regularly.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

A 15 bedroom house can only rent to 3 persons, in effect driving up rental costs to discourage rentals.

I'm curious as to how many 15 bedroom homes they have in Mansfield and of that subset, how many are marketed as rental property.

Town Property owners who rent to students agree with me... Rented for 2 years, they hate the town ordinances that prevent them from renting their 4-5 bedroom houses to more than 3 people.

15 bedroom homes aside, I would like to know how many4-5 bedroom homes they have in town and what the ownership of those which are on the rental market is.

I have been a vocal opponent of the Nimbys in Mansfield since I would guess years before you were born and I spent a small part of my professional career building pricing models on rental properties (to determine where my then company should and should not buy). That said, I imagine that a good portion of those who own the rental property and are against the ordinance of no more than three do not live in town. I can see how those who do live there would have a different view than those who are merely attempting to profit from the landscape.

 

[JMick]

I'm curious as to how many 15 bedroom homes they have in Mansfield and of that subset, how many are marketed as rental property.


15 bedroom homes aside, I would like to know how many4-5 bedroom homes they have in town and what the ownership of those which are on the rental market is.

I have been a vocal opponent of the Nimbys in Mansfield since I would guess years before you were born and I spent a small part of my professional career building pricing models on rental properties (to determine where my then company should and should not buy). That said, I imagine that a good portion of those who own the rental property and are against the ordinance of no more than three do not live in town. I can see how those who do live there would have a different view than those who are merely attempting to profit from the landscape.

Obviously the 15 is a number used as an exercise, but we attempted to rent an 8 bedroom and the landlord said it would have to be "off the books" due to the ordinance, so there are instances. I know of multiple homes on Hunting Lodge that had 4-5 bedrooms that were only permitted to rent to 3 or 4 depending upon how they were grandfathered in. Storrs center only has 3 bedrooms because of the ordinance, etc.

 

[Nostical]

Mick,OK, I understand that rental owners may not be thrilled with Town restrictions, but I guess if you were an adjacent non-rental property owner you'd'd want the Town to protect your property values and serenity against a "greedy" rental property owner who stuffs his place with too many folks whose cars end up on lawns causing an unsightly mess.
Put yourself in that guy's shoes.

 

[JMick]

Mick,OK, I understand that rental owners may not be thrilled with Town restrictions, but I guess if you were an adjacent non-rental property owner you'd'd want the Town to protect your property values and serenity against a "greedy" rental property owner who stuffs his place with too many folks whose cars end up on lawns causing an unsightly mess.
Put yourself in that guy's shoes.

I'm sorry but I can't. Look at all of the benefits driven by UCONN. EO smith students get to take UCONN classes. There are dozens of restaurants in the town. There are always activities going on. Look at all the jobs that are created. These things are all driven by the University.

Mansfield should look at Burlington. They treat the students like royalty because they understand the benefits.

 

[J187Money]

Wait till JMick becomes a homeowner someday. I'm sure his "everyone should be able to stack people up like cordwood and park all over the grass" point of view will change when someone tries to do it on his street.

Off campus is off campus for a reason. To escape the rules of the school only to get irritated when the school isn't out there fighting for your rights seems a bit off to me.

The school has spent a fortune upgrading and building new dorms including apts that we would have killed for in 1989. Living off campus is optional. To expect the school to fight for your rights is unrealistic.

 

[JMick]

Wait till JMick becomes a homeowner someday. I'm sure his "everyone should be able to stack people up like cordwood and park all over the grass" point of view will change when someone tries to do it on his street.

Off campus is off campus for a reason. To escape the rules of the school only to get irritated when the school isn't out there fighting for your rights seems a bit off to me.

The school has spent a fortune upgrading and building new dorms including apts that we would have killed for in 1989. Living off campus is optional. To expect the school to fight for your rights is unrealistic.

Living on campus for many is not an option. Housing is not guaranteed if you've ever been off campus or are a transfer student. Late acceptees also do not have guaranteed on-campus living situations so that is plain false.

The school should look out for its students whether they be on or off campus.

In regards to "being a home owner" I'm not stupid enough to buy a house less than a mile off campus of the biggest University in a given state and then be surprised that there are students walking around at night during the weekend. I'm sorry, that's not a homeowner issue, that's a stupidity issue. Those people purchased those homes at a discounted rate due to the proximity to the campus and they need to live with the fact that students will be prevalent.

edit: not to mention the costs associated with living on campus. Exorbitantly overpriced compared to off-campus living. Most of you went to school at a time where you could work a summer job to pay tuition and housing. Not the case anymore.

 

[BlueMAB]

There are just as many negatives driven by UConn for many residents as there are positives. You refuse to acknowledge them and show empathy for those people who are paying taxes in that town and have every right to push their legislature to pass the ordinances they want. Just because you disagree with them. So they don't have rights because "they're stupid".

To your credit you at least acknowledge the possibility that UConn has legitimate reasons to support (even encourage) the town to dissuade off campus housing, and yet your main complaint is that the President of UConn isn't standing arm in arm with the "oppressed students" and wanna be slumlords.

Oh the irony.

 

[JMick]

There are just as many negatives driven by UConn for many residents as there are positives. You refuse to acknowledge them and show empathy for those people who are paying taxes in that town and have every right to push their legislature to pass the ordinances they want.

To your credit you at least acknowledge the possibility that UConn has legitimate reasons to support (even encourage) the town to dissuade off campus housing, and yet your main complaint is that the President of UConn isn't standing arm in arm with the "oppressed students" and wanna be slumlords.

Oh the irony.

Residents don't have to be homeowners within the town. Many students at UCONN have to live off campus.

The Mansfield residents are simple-minded entitled simple-folk. No ifs ands or but's about it.

Students will always be there. The old out of touch Baby Boomers and NIMBY's will finally die off and be gone eventually but UCONN will be there long after as they have been here long before.

 

[BlueMAB]

Residents don't have to be homeowners within the town. Many students at UCONN have to live off campus.

The Mansfield residents are simple-minded entitled simple-folk. No ifs ands or but's about it.

NONE of the students at UConn have to be students at UConn.

The Uconn students are pseudo-enlightened entitled brats. No ifs and or buts about it.

(see how easy that is)

 

[JMick]

NONE of the students at UConn have to be students at UConn.

The Uconn students are pseudo-enlightened entitled brats. No ifs and or buts about it.

(see how easy that is)

Education is more important than entitled baby boomers and NIMBYs. They screwed up enough where most people I know won't own a house until we're 50 anyway so might as well push the renters down as hard as we can.