SPAR Tries to Pass Law to Ban Non Family Members from Living Together.

[AlexS]

Business people spend way more money than residents (and the employees are usually there almost as much)
The schools churches and charities also have a huge stake both monetarily and commitment wise.
And the City needs an accurate gauge as to what 'the neighborhood' really wants.

Not to mention landowners like Hionides.  He owns a hella lot more than you and I do. 

So are you saying people who spend more money should have more say ? Not each person one vote ?

[strider]

if you have multiple "families" living under one roof - why not call it what it is, "multi-family"?

I'm not sure what you mean.  We are talking about unlrelated people living together as a single family unit.  Multifamily actually refers to more than one dwelling unit, like a triplex for instance,  and each unit can be considered a single family home.

And FSU813, it is not about enforcing the current laws, the current laws have been enforced and the people you do not like are still legally here.  It is now about wanting to change the laws to get what you want.

[strider]

I was trying to research the current "single family" law on the books. I could not find where it defines what a "family" is in regard to zoning laws. If it's defined in City ordinance, Florida Statutes or Federal Law, could someone who has this info please post where it is defined ?

Hi Alex,

I had trouble finding that myself.  It doesn’t appear to be part of the actual code in the sense that it is a definition rather than a passage within the code. At least that is the only place I have ever found it and what I have found matches what Sean Kelly has e-mailed the SPAR Council office.  This also explains why the definition of family is not covered within the overlay itself as the definitions cover all zoning codes, including the overlay.

You can go to coj.net, zoning, then zoning code on the left.  This, as you know, takes you to municode and then I just searched for definitions …..  It is Part 16.


Definition for dwelling unit:
Dwelling, multiple-family means a building containing more than one dwelling unit.
Dwelling, one-family or single-family means a building containing only one dwelling unit. The term is not to be construed as including recreational vehicles, tents, houseboats or other forms of temporary or portable house. Manufactured homes and modular homes which comply with the provisions of Subpart C, Part 4 of the Zoning Code are considered single-family dwellings. For the purposes of this Zoning Code, row houses, townhouses, condominiums, cooperative apartments or other form of dwelling units which are not in individual detached buildings meeting all the requirements of a single-family dwelling shall not be construed to be single-family dwellings. A building in which a room or other portion is rented to or occupied by someone other than a part of the family shall not be considered to be a single-family dwelling.

Dwelling unit means a room or rooms connected together constituting a separate, independent housekeeping establishment for a family, for owner occupancy or for rental or lease on a weekly, monthly or longer basis, physically separated from other rooms or dwelling units which may be in the same structure and containing sleeping facilities and one kitchen.


Definition for family:
Family means one or more persons occupying a single dwelling unit; provided, that, unless all members are related by law, blood, adoption or marriage, no family shall contain over five persons. Domestic servants employed on the premises may be housed on the premises without being counted as a separate or additional family or families. The term family shall not be construed to mean a fraternity, sorority, club, monastery or convent, rooming or boardinghouse, emergency shelter, emergency shelter home, group care home, residential treatment facility, recovery home or nursing home, foster care home or family care home

[buckethead]

As I understand it the designation of a single family home refers to the structure type, but does not set limits regarding interpersonal/biological relationships of the occupants.

It seems rather obvious that the ire is being directed at the recovery homes. Will it also be directed at Gay couples who cannot legally marry in the State of Florida?

Live and let live seems to be dying.

[fsu813]

do gay couples usually live with 4 other people in the same house, unrelated by blood, adoption, or law?

no?

ok, then it wouldn't affect them.

[fsu813]

Actaully, i'm pretty sure SPAR doesn't care what happens in Arlington or on Kernan Blvd.

I think they'd be happy settling for thier own neighborhood.

What do you think?

[cindi]

i realize that it seems like the occupancy limit is just an evil plot by spar (which by the way i am so NOT a fan of) however - Living in overcrowded conditions affects people’s lives in a number of ways. Studies (again, not SPAR sponsored) have shown that overcrowding has a detrimental effect on people’s emotional, mental and physical health, adversely affects children’s development and educational attainment as it makes it difficult for children to concentrate on tasks such as studying and doing their homework, puts households at a greater risk of illness and infection, poor diet and nutrition.can have a negative impact on family life and relationships as the lack of space and privacy can cause tension and stress.can be a potential driver for anti social behaviour and youth crime when combined with a lack of suitable space outside.

Overcrowding enables the spread of acute respiratory infections, tuberculosis, meningitis, and intestinal parasites.  Epidemiological have shown a positive association between crowding and the transmission of tuberculosis and respiratory infections

so, while you may think that it is perfectly fine to put your 45 people (related or not) in one of our standard houses - again, just cause yoiu can, doesn't mean you should.

[fsu813]

studies aren't even needed. simple common sense will do.

[cindi]

common sense isn't as common as you would think.

[strider]

Ok, where in the world did this 45 number come from?  We aren't talking about allowing those numbers in any way.  We are talking about the current law that says 5 unrelated adults are considered to be a family and therefore may live together in a single family home.  Some seem to think this is bad and so want to somehow change the law, possibly to 3 unrelated adults.

Talking about over crowding is just by-passing this issue.  Somehow, I highly doubt that anyone will come up with a study that says five unrelated adults is overcrowding, but perfectly OK if you are related by blood.  I believe some have posted that they did not believe the city should set limits, but that is for another discussion and not applicable to this one.

We can also find other municipalities that have similar laws; some that have 3, some five and I have seen even up to 8.  I can also find records of lawsuits where the result was that a community had to allow up to 10 or 12 unrelated adults in some situations, regardless of what the law said.  This is also not what we are talking about.

Today, we are not concerned with adding to this 5 number.  We simply want to insure that  SPAR Council and it's various supporters do not somehow get it changed.  That would be unfair to many within the city of Jacksonville.

[buckethead]

Are there square footage per inhabitant guidelines attached to this?

[cindi]

As it is currently stated by law, you could move 45 of your closest relatives into your home, but not your friends.  Only four friends could move in.

this is where the "45" came from.  yes, i do realize it is a grossly overstatement but the concept still applies.

[sheclown]

Are there square footage per inhabitant guidelines attached to this?

no, this is not a square footage issue.

[cindi]

cindi, i think i covered that issue under the disease and sanitation issue.

it's not just the sanitation, it is not a good "mental health" practice either.

[cindi]

cindi, i think i covered that issue under the disease and sanitation issue.

it's not just the sanitation, it is not a good "mental health" practice either.

we do not disagree in any way.

At least I think we don't.  You agree that nothing stops this situation from happening so long as the inhabitants are related or employed, right?

correct