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FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Northern Arizona University is looking for new off-campus neighbors as the student population continues to grow.
NAU President Rita Cheng recently acknowledged that the school has no partnerships with any housing developers that address neighborly issues such as street parking or student conduct. In a meeting Tuesday with the Flagstaff City Council, Cheng said school officials met earlier in the year with the city about a stronger nuisance party ordinance and parking management.
Three student housing projects in the last year have drawn resistance from residents, the Arizona Daily Sun reported (http://bit.ly/1HCTiZg ).
Plans for The Standard, a 650-bed development, had to undergo revisions because a trailer park would have had to close, displacing 50 families.
Another project, Aspen Heights, would have offered a complex with 750 beds, but the developers pulled their zoning application because of neighbors' concerns about security and traffic. The U.S. Naval and Lowell observatories also raised concerns about light pollution.
The Hub, a third proposed development, is already drawing opposition from residents on Flagstaff's southside area.
NAU officials estimate more than 20,000 students will be enrolled in the fall, and only about 9,100 will get on-campus housing. City officials say they understand those other students need a place to live.
"The council is in a hard place," said Vice Mayor Celia Barotz. "We want to do what's right for the students, and what's right for the people who have lived here a long time. No matter the decision, someone will be upset."
A new residence hall with 640 beds is scheduled to open in fall 2017. It will also have 700 parking spaces.
Cheng said building more housing on campus isn't out of the question either.
"The demand for on-campus housing remains strong," she said.
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Information from: Arizona Daily Sun, http://www.azdailysun.com/
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