City denies Phi Psi, sides with neighbors
Both sides of case were upset with the lack of support from the University.
"People came forward and said they were disappointed with the lack of involvement," said lawyer John Denick, who represented the Tuscany-Canterbury Neighborhood Association (TCNA).
Accordng to Denick, TCNA approached President Brody with their concerns, and were deferred to the University's legal representatives. Ultimately, they were sent to Director of Community Affairs Salem Reiner. "Salem Reiner said that off-campus housing is not regulated by the University," Derrick said.
"We were kind of shocked not to see a University representative down here to give a position, one way or another," said Leslie Williams, a Hopkins alum and Phi Psi brother who has advised the holding company on legal issues in the past and testified on their behalf.
Burgunder presented to the board a petition with the signatures of 90 residents supporting the fraternity. He argued that the neighborhood was using the zoning board to settle disputes with the fraternity that should be handled by the police.
"If we were talking about nuns, we wouldn't be talking about any of this. It's akin to moving next to an airport and saying I don't like the noise. This is not the proper venue to punish bad behavior," Burgunder said. He maintained a running objection to the testimony of neighbors attesting to the disturbing behavior of fraternity residents as hearsay and non-expert testimony.
"I know a philanthropic organization when I see one, but I'm glad the fraternity considers themselves a philanthropic organization," said Miriam Shark, a senior associate at the Annie E. Casey foundation who has lived by the fraternity house for 13 years. Shark testified that the house has not been occupied since July 23, 2005.
Mary Pat Clarke, the Baltimore City Council member for the 14th district, testified that the property could be put to better use. Clarke, who has lived in the area since 1967, said that the neighborhood has a history of a "positive reuse of four pretty wrecked-up fraternity houses." She testified that the former frat houses are now single-family dwellings and an extension to the Calvert School, a middle school adjacent to the property.
Carl Hyman, president of the Tuscany-Canterbury Community Association, testified that the house has been the site of "37 police visits in the past two years."
"Concerns about Greek life have led to discussions of the creation of a fraternity row. The neighborhood is committed to working with the University, but we need support from their side," Hyman said.
Opposition to the fraternity also came in the form of letters submitted to the board from community resident and the principle of the Calvert School. City Council president Stephanie Rawlings-Blake sent a letter stating her support of neighborhood residents "reclaim[ing] the sanctity of their neighborhood."
Burgunder said that the fraternity would wait until the board's written decision is released before deciding whether or not to take the case before the Maryland Court of Appeals. He added that sale of the property, with an estimated value of $1.1 million, is a possibility.
"People came forward and said they were disappointed with the lack of involvement," said lawyer John Denick, who represented the Tuscany-Canterbury Neighborhood Association (TCNA).
Accordng to Denick, TCNA approached President Brody with their concerns, and were deferred to the University's legal representatives. Ultimately, they were sent to Director of Community Affairs Salem Reiner. "Salem Reiner said that off-campus housing is not regulated by the University," Derrick said.
"We were kind of shocked not to see a University representative down here to give a position, one way or another," said Leslie Williams, a Hopkins alum and Phi Psi brother who has advised the holding company on legal issues in the past and testified on their behalf.
Burgunder presented to the board a petition with the signatures of 90 residents supporting the fraternity. He argued that the neighborhood was using the zoning board to settle disputes with the fraternity that should be handled by the police.
"If we were talking about nuns, we wouldn't be talking about any of this. It's akin to moving next to an airport and saying I don't like the noise. This is not the proper venue to punish bad behavior," Burgunder said. He maintained a running objection to the testimony of neighbors attesting to the disturbing behavior of fraternity residents as hearsay and non-expert testimony.
"I know a philanthropic organization when I see one, but I'm glad the fraternity considers themselves a philanthropic organization," said Miriam Shark, a senior associate at the Annie E. Casey foundation who has lived by the fraternity house for 13 years. Shark testified that the house has not been occupied since July 23, 2005.
Mary Pat Clarke, the Baltimore City Council member for the 14th district, testified that the property could be put to better use. Clarke, who has lived in the area since 1967, said that the neighborhood has a history of a "positive reuse of four pretty wrecked-up fraternity houses." She testified that the former frat houses are now single-family dwellings and an extension to the Calvert School, a middle school adjacent to the property.
Carl Hyman, president of the Tuscany-Canterbury Community Association, testified that the house has been the site of "37 police visits in the past two years."
"Concerns about Greek life have led to discussions of the creation of a fraternity row. The neighborhood is committed to working with the University, but we need support from their side," Hyman said.
Opposition to the fraternity also came in the form of letters submitted to the board from community resident and the principle of the Calvert School. City Council president Stephanie Rawlings-Blake sent a letter stating her support of neighborhood residents "reclaim[ing] the sanctity of their neighborhood."
Burgunder said that the fraternity would wait until the board's written decision is released before deciding whether or not to take the case before the Maryland Court of Appeals. He added that sale of the property, with an estimated value of $1.1 million, is a possibility.
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