After months of discussion, Greenville City Council has finally made a decision on the three-unrelated rule that states no more than three people who are unrelated can live in the same house.
After a four-hour meeting, council voted 4 to 2 to increase the limit to a four-unrelated rule only in the university neighborhoods.
On Thursday night the city council chambers were packed with people on both sides of the issue, with a vast majority showing support for leaving the law alone.
Once the public comment session was finished, members of the city staff illustrated some of the research they had done. Out of several other college towns in North Carolina, Greenville was tied for the second lowest amount of unrelated people who can live together. Chapel Hill allows four and Charlotte allows six.
Mayor Allen Thomas says the new rule will be very similar to Chapel Hill's and that council will sets up a working group to create revitalization in the neighborhoods that will be affected.
The two council members who voted against the change were Calvin Mercer and Marion Blackburn.
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We'll be watching for a big turnout at one city council meeting Thursday night, where a controversial issue is back on the agenda; how many people who are unrelated can live in the same home?
It's a hot topic in Greenville, a college town. Greenville City Councilwoman Marion Blackburn said some landlords have requested the city review the rules that limit allowing only three people who are not related to live in the same place.
Some worry allowing more than three unrelated people to live together will threaten the single-family home character of many neighborhoods.
The public comment period will be held Thursday night at the Greenville City Hall starting at 7:00 p.m.
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