Couple Fails To Ban Frat House From Their Street, Attempts To Turn Own House Into Frat House In Response

Jared Borislow10 years ago

This story, which might be the feel-good story of the year, involves a harmless fraternity that is merely seeking a domicile in which to engage in the sacred bond of brotherhood (not gay) and the grumpy couple across the street who want nothing to do with them. It’s like the movie Neighbors come to life, except Greek life keeps coming out on top this time. In that sense it is much more realistic than the movie Neighbors.

Tom and Cindy Laupa (yes, her name is actually Cindy Laupa, and I plan on making full use of Cindy Lauper puns in this article) are a Fort Collins, Colorado couple, who currently own, and presumably reside in, the property at 1011 Remington St. To give you an idea of just how close to Colorado State’s campus 1011 Remington St. is, it sits about a block away from the intersection of S. College Ave. and University Ave. So yeah, it’s right in the heart of things.

Last year, the Laupas were part of a coalition of neighbors that tried to prevent Phi Kappa Tau from moving into the property at 201 E. Elizabeth St., which sits right across the street from their house. They were worried that the group of gentleman they presumed to be raucous frat boys would be partying all through the night, thereby disturbing the peace and lowering their property values. Time after time the Laupas tried to prevent the Phi Taus from being allowed to live across the street from them. The Fort Collins City Council knows that girls just want to have fun at fraternity houses, though, and denied the appeals of the Laupas and their neighbors.

The Laupas weren’t about to give it up. Not that easily. Instead of just sitting around all confused after losing their appeal, asking each other “What’s going on?,” the Laupas had a change of heart, and took action.

From Coloradoan:

A Fort Collins husband and wife who opposed Greek life in their neighborhood last year is now making a bid for their own fraternity house.

Tom and Cindy Laupa filed an application with the city over the summer calling for 14 people to live in the seven-bedroom home at 1011 Remington St. The Laupas completed a conceptual review with the city Dec. 28.

Just a fearless move. “Come on home,” they’re trying to say to any potential fraternity that would be interested in renting their house. The City Council said no, though, and they’re not budging from their stance. In that regard, they have a one track mind.

“The city told us as politely as they could that we were barking up an empty tree,” Tom Laupa said. “I’m not really sure what I’m going to do.”

The city indicated there may not be enough parking spots for 14 fraternity brothers to live in the 91-year-old house east of Colorado State University. The main challenge the Laupas face is meeting city code requiring two off-street parking spaces per three beds, Fort Collins planner Jason Holland said Tuesday.

Thank God. It’s pretty apparent that the Laupas are anti-Greek life, and would be terrible landlords to their unsuspecting fraternity tenants if the City Council allowed them to turn 1011 Remington into a fraternity house. You can tell that they have no real desire to house fraternity members, but add some cash into the equation and people will go against their beliefs 100% of the time. Money changes everything.

The Laupas are a classic case of hypocrisy. Their true colors are shining through. At least, that’s what I think..

[via Coloradoan]

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