[WeHa]

up of West End residents known as the "Scarborough 11" can stay in their home now that the city has pulled its enforcement threat against them, bringing the two-year zoning dispute closer to a resolution.

On Wednesday, city lawyers quietly withdrew a suit that the city of Hartford brought in March 2015 against the homeowners at 68 Scarborough St., where three children and eight adults live together in a case that tested the city's definition of family and sparked a wave of national attention.

City of Hartford Withdraws Suit In 'Scarborough 11' Case - Courant Community

While I don't have a problem with the "family" in this case I do think there is benefit to clearly re-defining what constitutes a family. I wouldn't want to see the laws so slack that people could set up a boarding house type setting. I understand it can come off as snobby but I can understand why someone who lives on a street like Scarborough would be concerned about how this could affect the neighborhood or property value.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by WeHa

City of Hartford Withdraws Suit In 'Scarborough 11' Case - Courant Community

While I don't have a problem with the "family" in this case I do think there is benefit to clearly re-defining what constitutes a family. I wouldn't want to see the laws so slack that people could set up a boarding house type setting. I understand it can come off as snobby but I can understand why someone who lives on a street like Scarborough would be concerned about how this could affect the neighborhood or property value.

Boarding homes were the reason for zoning laws that define a single family. Back before zoning laws were so strict, people began to open boarding homes in what were previously single family residential neighborhoods. This became a problem because of the type of boarders these places attracted and how they impacted the area. This situation is a bit difference in that these are all permanent residents but still there is nothing to prevent someone from moving in and renting a room in any home if the law is not enforced. Interesting situation but given that the city has such financial problems it is not a case they really can test. Jay

[beerbeer]

I just don't want the Manson Family to qualify legally.