Harvard has clarified its occupancy ordinance, addressing the problem of too many people living in too little space.
“These changes that we made tonight are merely technical changes,” Ald. Tom Hay (4th) said at the meeting earlier this month. “But still it’s a very, very difficult ordinance to enforce, which is why we’re looking at home rule, which is, of course, something the people would have to vote on.”
Acting on the recommendation of the Zoning, Planning and Ordinance Committee, aldermen unanimously voted to delete or amend several sections of the occupancy ordinance.
Sections removed included a definition of family and the allocation of tenants by square footage of floor space. The new ordinance will allow only two residents per bedroom, plus one.
Officials aim to make the code more enforceable, including administrative adjudication and adopting home rule.
Administrative adjudication would allow the city to handle the cases locally, to increase citizen participation in the investigation process.
The adoption of home rule would allow the city to license landlords and inspect residences at the time a home sells.
City administrator Dave Nelson plans to research the cost of instituting these plans and will present his findings to the board at a later date.
