Commission acts on Greeks' complaints

By James Patrick Schmidt

Published Oct. 23, 2007

A city commission recommended that the Columbia City Council repeal sections of an ordinance requiring sororities and fraternities to install sprinkler systems in their houses by 2012.

The Columbia Building Construction Codes Commission passed the recommendation in an 8-4 vote on Monday.

The repeal was the result of the public comment provided by representatives of the Greek community.

"I acted on information that there was a consensus within the Greek community that this was the right and best thing to do and that they were on board," Building Construction Codes Commission member Brian Connell said. "Since then, I've learned differently, and I feel like the action we took as a commission is very unfair from the standpoint of singling out very specific R2 uses and allowing others to go unattended."

The issue was discussed at the commission's Sept. 24 meeting, where Columbia Fire Battalion Chief Steven Sapp spoke and showed a video in favor of the law. Representatives of the Greek community spoke in opposition.

Doug Muzzy, a Kappa Alpha Order fraternity alumni adviser, said the representatives from the Greek community were unaware the commission would be making its final vote, but they are pleased the commission is moving on the issue.

"I felt that there was plenty of public comment, and I'm glad that it is finally complete," he said.

Muzzy also said he is glad the commission ruled in favor of repealing the law.

"The commission made the right decision," he said. "It was always about passing the ordinance without hearing enough public comment by fraternity and sorority

organizations."

Now that the commission has voted on a recommendation, the City Council will be briefed on the issue and will then vote on it following public comment at a council meeting. The date has not been set for the council to discuss the issue.

The law will remain in effect if the City Council acts against the commission's recommendation.