Zoning problems leave MSU fraternity homeless
A property zoning issue at the house that the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity is leasing has left its members homeless and holding the lease to an uninhabitable building.
Alpha Epsilon Pi is leasing the house at 1148 E. Grand River Ave. from the Beta Tau Alumni Corporation. The house was previously occupied by the Beta Theta Pi fraternity.
Alpha Epsilon Pi signed a lease which stated they could move in Aug. 1, but renovations to the house were not completed in time, said Scott Gordon, the fraternity’s president.
Renovations are now almost completed, but the property needs to be rezoned before the fraternity can move in, he said.
In addition, Gordon said, the president of the Beta Tau Alumni Corporation has attempted to sell the house to the Community Resource Management Co., or CRMC, East Lansing’s second-largest real estate company, despite the fact that his fraternity said they were already leasing the house.
Now, Gordon said, an injunction has been filed by another member of the Beta Tau Alumni Corporation to keep the sale from happening.
In the meantime, the property needs to be approved for occupation before fraternity members can move in, Gordon said.
“Obviously, we’re upset with the Betas for not getting things done in a timely manner, but at this point, everything is complete and it’s up to the city to get the paperwork complete,” he said. “There’s 35 people that need a place to live.”
When the city began planning for East Village, the property at 1148 E. Grand River Ave. was redistricted, and the house no longer meets the district’s regulations.
According to city code, “if any nonconforming building ceases to be used for any reason for a continuous period of more than one year, then any future use of the land and any building or improvements upon it shall be in conformity with the regulations of this district.”
The house had been vacant since December 2006, when an inspector declared it uninhabitable due to extensive disrepair.
During the time it was empty, the rental license for the property expired and was not renewed for about two years, which caused the house to be deemed abandoned. As a result, it was subject to the area’s new zoning code.
“That would prevent them from using it as they have leased to these people,” said Darcy Schmitt, East Lansing’s planning and zoning administrator.
But James Rasor, attorney for Beta Tau Alumni Corporation, said the house had not been abandoned, as they had installed fire and burglar alarms and were paying bills and taxes for the property.
Now, in order for the members of Alpha Epsilon Pi to move into the building, the ruling of abandonment must be overturned, or any future use of the house would require at least 50 percent of first floor space to be used for retail, according to the East Village zoning code.
A meeting was scheduled Wednesday night to decide whether the ruling should stand, but because the board did not have enough members present to vote, no action was taken. The board’s next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 3.
At least four members of the six-person board are needed to establish a voting quorum. Three of them were unable to attend, Gordon said.
Ron Springer, a community development analyst for East Lansing, said he would meet with East Lansing staff first thing Thursday morning to see if earlier action could be taken.
Even if the ruling is overturned, the building must acquire an occupancy permit from the city’s housing commission and a housing license from the East Lansing City Council before it can be used as a residence again, Schmitt said.
In the meantime, about 35 members of Alpha Epsilon Pi must find other living arrangements. Five of them are currently living in a hotel, Gordon said.
“All things aside, I don’t have a place to live,” said marketing sophomore Dirk Roberts.
Jake Feldman, a supply chain management junior, said the house is important for the fraternity’s official activities, too.
“We won’t have Rush, we won’t have a central meeting place for all of us, we won’t have social events,” he said. “We have no place to go.”
Published on Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Comments
MSU2004
08/07/08 @ 9:04am
well they shouldn’t have had such high hopes. The “old” BETA house should be torn to the ground, it’s nothing but a pit. I don’t feel one bit bad for AEPi.
Sue Maniloff
08/07/08 @ 9:16am
This is an unbelievable story that has been unfolding for months. There have been a series of irresponsible decisions made by adults looking to make money – at the expense of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity. They now have nowhere to go. I commend these young men for trying to work within the system and handle these affairs in a professional manner. It is my hope that the owners of the home, the national fraternity organization, the construction team and the City of East Lansing can help resolve this situation asap. These students need to focus on their studies – not their housing problems!
George Jung
08/07/08 @ 1:54pm
hahaha sucks for them!!!!
Razzle Dazzle
08/07/08 @ 2:49pm
I’m sick of arrogant pricks posting about how its “BETAS.” You dont even exist anymore on MSU Campus! The legacy of that house ended pal. The brothers of AEPI worked very hard, coming from nothing to being able to access your “legacy.” Also 35 brothers living in, doesnt mean that 35 are active, use your head. The brotherhood of AEPI is well into the upper 50’s and growing: There a emerging house on our campus full of the promises and hopes of becoming everything they are possible for. So for you to bash them is unheard of.
MSU2004
08/07/08 @ 3:45pm
This converstation is rather amusing, considering the condition of the BETA house when it was CONDEMNED, because you so called Beta Theta Pi’s where the pinacle of what the Fraternity was founded on. You disgust me, and you disgusted your national headquarters ergo the reason there are no more BETAS on MSU, regardless of what you say. The only reason you guys are alumni is because your HQ didn’t want to waste it’s times on rejects like you that tarnished the name of BETA’s. You guys (more like children)were the eptiomy of what’s wrong with kids today. You are foolish, immature and just plain a pathetic excuse at Fraternity men. Do yourselves a favor give up whatever ties you had with the name BETA and just call yourself a looser. And if you really want to impress the rest of us, why don’t you ask yourself why you aren’t a chapter anymore?
Informed
08/07/08 @ 4:33pm
First of all MSU2004, way to be extremely stereotypical and uninformed. You obviously had know idea what happened in that house. Way to stereotype all Betas. The reason there isn’t Betas living there anymore is because there were insignificant funds to keep the house manageable. Why you ask, because national had it in for Betas to begin with and not to mention the alumni just wanted to sell the house to make money. So you can take your kindergarten class and play dungeons and dragons or whatever it is you nerds do nowadays.
Anonymous
08/07/08 @ 4:43pm
Its pathetic that people are laughing at the fact that 35 people dont have a house. You should be ashamed that you think this is a joke. Regardless of whether they are in the Greek System or the East Lansing Community, this is affecting the lives of many young men at Michigan State as well as the community. I do not know much about the greek community as I am not in it. But i can sure say, BETAS man the fuck up, these guys had nothing to do with you and have nothing to do with you. Regardless of the property or the tenants, no one should be put in any situation like this. The greek community and residents of E.L. should show some compassion and help out in any way they can. I dont know about you but I am going to help in any way i can, but if you want to sit on your computer and bash another fraternity, you should really question your character and do something productive with your life.
BETA Hater
08/07/08 @ 5:44pm
I’m an a$$hole, I’m an a$$hole, I’m an a$$hole til’ I die. But I’d rather be an a$$hole than a Beta Theta Pi.
MSU2004
08/08/08 @ 8:55am
so the questions begs to be asked….Why didn’t you have the funds? Maybe because you didn’t pay your dues, you sorry excuse for a human being, not to mention a fraternity MAN. More like a little boy looking for mommy and daddy to reach into their wallet and bail their son out. As per usual, I guess.
The only class I would teach by the way is to the BETAS “Alumni” that think that they initiated Gentlemen. Guess I was wrong, but go ahead and continue speaking you only make yourself look more ignorant than you already do, but by all means keep speaking you are just proving my point
Enough
08/08/08 @ 10:19am
MSU2004- The reason you are so upset at this whole thing is probably because you rushed and we threw your a$$ to the curb or you never got invited to one of our parties, ergo, never got laid.
Go to the Riv, hang out with your hacky-sack, grizzled friends and continue to not get laid. Now shut it before I crush you with my wallet
Betas
08/08/08 @ 10:22am
Bottom Line is this: Betas were the greatest fraternity ever to step foot on MSU’s campus. You ALL went to parties, you ALL had a great time, and you ALL wished that you could have been a BETA.
Popped Collar
08/08/08 @ 12:25pm
Don’t you guys know who their Dad’s are? They own dealerships bragh! They’ll get this mess straightened out.
daddyz
08/08/08 @ 1:22pm
Hey, Informed. Inform yourself about the words you use. It’s “no,” not “know.” It’s “insufficient funds,” not “insignificant funds.” You may have spent too much time partying, and not enough time studying.
*Anonymous*
08/08/08 @ 7:30pm
AEPi is composed of some of the best guys I have ever met. They deserve this house that they all have been working so hard for. I find it disgusting that people can laugh at their situation right now.
finster
08/08/08 @ 8:23pm
How unfortunate those 35 young men are unable to occupy their living quarters because of the ineptitude of the local Beta chapter President. All 35 of these students (and their families) anticipated that these students would have a place to live during the 2008-2009 school year. They signed a contract stating that they would be able to obtain occupancy of the building on August 1, 2008. Unfortunately, Mr. Beta didn’t have the repairs to the building completed in a timely manner. On top of that, he forgot to have the property approved by the Zoning Board. To make matters worse, Mr. Beta is trying to get out of his responsibility to these 35 families and students by selling the property to CRMC last week. Mr. Beta doesn’t even have the authority to sell the property and thus an injunction to prevent the sale to CRMC is initiated. How terrible it is that Mr. Beta thought the sale would absolve him of responsibility to these students. I doubt the last of the legal briefs have been seen. Shame on you Mr. Beta; your actions are most distressing.
GETPaidandGetLaidHOe
08/08/08 @ 9:59pm
MSU 2004- Please don’t comment about Betas any more just because you have a small ass pecker…Your hillbilly ass was out milking the cows and churning the butter on the pasture waiting for your mom to ring the dinner bell, while we were out giving women some thick ass shit…who is Alpha Epsilon Pi??
obvios
08/08/08 @ 10:44pm
I’m assuming that “finster” is a brother in AEPi. If what he says is true, the Beta’s president is an idiot. Now I’m not one to perpetuate stereotypes, but I would not mess with a Jewish fraternity. The brothers probably know a ton of lawyers… I smell a gigantic lawsuit.
finster
08/09/08 @ 10:36am
finster is related but not a brother. This mess that the AEPi frat finds themselves in is reprehensible. These students are all good kids and don’t deserve to be in the middle of this scam. The betas, AEPi nationals, and CRMC are all taking advantage of these young men. The reality is that the only people who are hurt and suffering through this whole discourse are the AEPi brothers/students. Still with nowhere to be…
intelligent alum
08/09/08 @ 10:44am
Hey guys, here’s a novel idea:
Don’t join a fraternity. Frat boys are so preoccupied with chasing doe-eyed freshmen girls that they don’t realize what a joke they are to the majority of college students. If you truly are so socially inept that you’re considering buying your friends, try therapy instead of joining a Greek society.
super intelligent spartan
08/09/08 @ 2:22pm
Dear Mr. Intelligent Alum
I just wanted to show you some people that chose the Greek society over therapy…
-76% of the current United States Senators and Congressmen are fraternity men.
-40 of the 47 Supreme Court Justices since 1910 have been fraternity men.
-100 of the 158 cabinet members since 1900 have been fraternity men.
-71% of men listed in Who’s Who in America are fraternity men.
Yes, apparently we are all completely led by our heads instead of our heads, and we are so socially inept that we are chosen to run this country. When was the last time your intelligent a$$ raised nearly a quarter of a million dollars to find a cure for cancer? More like ignorant alum…
Give me a break..
08/09/08 @ 2:54pm
Don’t kid yourself by equating Ivy League societal members to the white-capped imbecils at M.S.U. In case you haven’t read some of the earlier posts by these morons, here’s a re-cap:
“while we were out giving women some thick ass shit,”
“Go to the Riv, hang out with your hacky-sack, grizzled friends and continue to not get laid. Now shut it before I crush you with my wallet”
“Please don’t comment about Betas any more just because you have a small ass pecker”
“The reason you are so upset at this whole thing is probably because you rushed and we threw your a$$ to the curb or you never got invited to one of our parties, ergo, never got laid.”
-I’m not making this stuff up. It’s all right there if you scroll up. These are supposedly educated college students.
Anonymous
08/09/08 @ 4:31pm
Betas are not educated “humanbeings”. They are nobodys in life. It doesnt take a greek or non-greek to tell you that they have an IQ of a 2 year old, they will realize once they can’t find a job. So just because the people who WERE in betas say dumb things doesnt mean the rest of the kids at MSU are that dumb.
Doug Funny
08/09/08 @ 10:27pm
After all these years, the Betas on 1148 East Grand River are STILL making headlines!
Betas are the hardest frat to get into. They are considered gods on campus. Betas are frat
The Planet
08/09/08 @ 10:35pm
Betas
Mike Saelim
08/09/08 @ 10:44pm
People in the Greek system aren’t necessarily socially inept… they just graduate from a high school mentality around age 25.
MSU Student
08/10/08 @ 6:52pm
Please stop bashing all betas. Yes the MSU chapter has made the entire fraternity look bad but its just one chapter. Saying that “Betas are not educated human beings” is just offensive and ignorant. I mean if you are talking about just the MSU chapter, then I agree with you that they are all morons. I have family members who are beta alumni and they are not scum.
MSU Student
08/10/08 @ 6:56pm
For the record, I am not a Beta so the previous comment is an objective comment.
Varmiboo
08/11/08 @ 11:59am
The “men” of Beta Chapter at MSU are not representative of other Beta Chapters. The MSU Chapter had no leadership from alumni and no supervision – hence the “animal house”. Hopefully AEPi will be able to get this resolved and move in. But beware of the condition of that facility. It was a pit when the Betas were there. Just ask the city health inspectors!
Flipper
08/11/08 @ 4:35pm
Betas had the best frat house on campus. It was the toughest house to get into, so stop bashing Betas just because you didn’t get a bid. Betas are legendary at MSU and their name and house will always rule MSU whether their chapter is there or not.
Don't Talk Smack
08/11/08 @ 5:38pm
All of you people who place blame on people, try not to generalize everyone in the Greek System. Contrary to what you believe, there are some people in the Greek System who are educated and there are some that do make a difference. For example, my neighbor, who is a Beta, is also a pediatrician who does pro bono work for the Peace Corp twice a year. Remember, who you become is not just based on what you do in college. When you figure that out, then maybe you won’t have the IQ of 2 that you speak of, and maybe you’ll move past the high-school mentality that you have of others.
jim
08/11/08 @ 6:46pm
betas are all gay.
IFC chair
08/11/08 @ 9:22pm
Betas have always been a breed of their own. I will remain confidential, but i am actively involved in a fraternity on campus and now the IFC.
Beta Theta Pi is one of those frats that are hard to pin point. For some reason their is a certain allure or aura around them. Im not sure if it is warranted, im just stating the reputation they have.
I would be interested in hearing from a Beta and getting their thoughts.
Kenny the Can Man
08/11/08 @ 9:43pm
I used to pick up cans from the Beta house for years and they were the best guys to ever come in contact with for a canner like myself. They always passed their cans along to me, and there were sooo many cans. Those cans helped me survive for many years as I would return them to QD and Big 10 for money. The Betas were always the number 1 frat for friendship and cans. God Bless the Betas.
Good Gawd
08/12/08 @ 1:06am
Thank you “Give me a break” for stating what the rest of us civilized people are thinking. What do they need a house for? So they can drug and rape girls? Get over yourselves greek kids, you’re the scum of the university and stuck in your high school “clique” lifestyle.
dumbass
08/12/08 @ 1:10am
Super intelligent spartan- you’re an idiot. You brag about all of the “fraternity brothers” in government positions…does that explain why our government is so corrupt? and the rest of the world hates our government? kinda like the intelligent student body at msu hates you damn greeks.
dumbass2
08/12/08 @ 9:04am
dumbass-shut up and dont bring up politics in this discussion you f’in liberal…he was just trying to explain that fraternity brothers turn out to be gentlemen, and not piles of shit like you.
Donny
08/12/08 @ 9:15am
Woah 35 brothers!? Their mother was a busy lady, eh? I don’t think I could live with my one brother, let alone 34 of them. How are they all college age at the same time?
gogreen
08/12/08 @ 11:12am
If you people don’t care about the issue at hand, why are you reading this article? If you signed a lease on a 3 million dollar house, then you would expect it to be ready on move in day, wouldnt you dumbasses?
Hahahaa
08/12/08 @ 11:46am
“Betas are legendary at MSU and their name and house will always rule MSU whether their chapter is there or not.”
Uhh, “legendary?” Who the eff cares about ANYTHING Greek if you’re not a Greek?
To you, gogreen, I read it because I wanted a good laugh. Mission accomplished!
Magglio Ordonez
08/12/08 @ 9:21pm
Cha cha cha. I was talking to a couple Betas while I was on the on-deck circle. They couldn’t hold an English conversation. All they kept saying was “tail”, “beer”, and “scrotum”.
Anyways, it sucks for the AEPi’s. I should donate 1/50 of my yearly salary and get that house fixed up for them. Cha cha cha.
Greek Gods
08/12/08 @ 9:37pm
Betas are Greek Gods
DONG
08/13/08 @ 12:01pm
The fact that everyone is still all talking abuot BETAS only means everyone slobs all over the BETAS THICK ASS SHIT that they have been giving to the MSU women for years
Bleed Green
08/13/08 @ 2:03pm
Betas have been slobbing “thick ass shit” over MSU women for years? Well, whatever floats your boat, I guess…
update
08/13/08 @ 4:25pm
im just curious….What is the lates update on AEPI’s housing situation? They still stranded? We dont need anymore bums on campus….
Rage
08/13/08 @ 4:29pm
Nobody had ever even heard of AEPi before us BETAS came into the picture. You should be thanking us for not letting you live in our house and bringing all this attention to all of your 35 individuals. Let’s face it, you’re not a house so you can’t be brothers. Not to mention but we got the boot long ago and we’re still making the news. That’s legendary.
update
08/13/08 @ 4:36pm
to “update”: You don’t need anymore bums on campus? then you better get your ass off campus. with or without the beta’s house aepi would live on. if it were a matter of money it wouldnt be an issue, the house would be theres. since the betas were kicked off it was deemed abandoned and rezoning it will take time. i assure you there is a temporary house housing all the AEPIs… don’t fret ;)
lmfao
08/13/08 @ 5:33pm
Yeah, i’m totally sure that AEPi needed your mentally challenged alumni to mess up the simple task of leasing your house to them just to bring attention to themselves. They didn’t win greek week or anything while your “awesome house” was kicked off campus, did they? Yeah that’s what I thought. Take down those red lights. Your time on this campus is over Betas.
LEGENDS
08/13/08 @ 10:32pm
BETAS time is obviously not over since everyone is still talking about BETAS
Ken
08/14/08 @ 8:34am
This situation seems quite easy to resolve: Beta breached the contract with AEPi, so AEPi should find new housing and bury Beta in a mountain of legal misery. Talk about an easy lawsuit.
Judge: “So you had a signed contract with Beta stipulating required zoning, renovations, and term of agreement.”
AEP: “Yes.”
Beta: “Correct, but…”
Judge: “How much do you want AEP?”
And to the comment about the percentage of Greeks that have gone on to be politicos, honestly, does that mean anything? Those statistics are biased and mean nothing. So what you’re telling us is that Greeks are predisposed to behavior which is common in politics? Really? I never would have guessed the culture of backdoor relationships, elbow rubbing, and “friend of friends” would be rampant in politics like it is in Greek life. Those stats mean as much if I were to say, “99% of all physics professors have a degree in science. Durrrrrrrrr.” Thank you Ric Romero.
greek week queer
08/14/08 @ 11:25am
yo lmfao…greek week doesnt mean shit faggot….lol…im sure you won bc you d bags take dance classes and/or the girls and the “big” fraternity did all the work…the best part of greek week was going hammered to all the events!!!
Signature Associates
08/15/08 @ 6:56pm
Actually we’re just better than you are.
genius
08/15/08 @ 10:15pm
In response to “greek week queer,” AEPi was the big fraternity smartass. nice try. Also Betas, since when does negative attention associated with your non existent fraternity merit you to legendary status?
ummm
08/16/08 @ 5:21am
I’m still trying to figure out why any of the frats are arguing about how cool they are. The only people who think anything greek is cool are the people in sororities and frats. Their parties are only fun for members. The best parties are still the epic house parties, despite the ELPD’s attempts to end them.
funny
08/16/08 @ 4:54pm
I find it funny that all of the Beta’s posts go on and on about how legendary they are, and how AEPi is so gay. Beta’s needs to get over the fact that they got the boot, and stop trying to smear other fraternities. Have some bloody dignity, or at least stop acting so insecure and obnoxious.
BetaBallBuster
08/18/08 @ 1:32pm
Dear Betas,
Suck a nut. Realize that the only reason guys liked you was so you could provide them with the necessary drugs to get women into bed. Realize that the only reason girls that you got were the ones that liked to get drugged. Get over yourself.
msu2004
08/20/08 @ 1:30pm
All of you who are “PRO” Beta, have a misguided understanding of what it means to be a man, and I am sad for you.
alwayzuptonogood
08/20/08 @ 5:28pm
msu2004 you are a whiny little bee-otch