Now, a stop work order

As part of the coverage of Chi Phi's decision to back out of renovating Arnocroft, I tried to give some summary and commentary on how this got started. Included in it was a mention of Delta Delta Delta, whose move of a Spanish Colonial home dating back to the 1920s prompted the passage of the existing moratorium on demolition, removal and significant exterior constrution in Milledge Avenue.

An adviser to Delta Delta Delta told the Athens Banner-Herald last October the sorority intended to preserve the lot and use it for greenspace. However, two Athens-Clarke County commissioners - Kathy Hoard (District Seven) and Mike Hamby (District 10) - said the same adviser denied making the statement when they met earlier this year. Though, to be fair, Hoard said she never saw any plans from the sorority that suggested the cleared lot would be used in that capacity.

Both Hamby and Hoard praised Delta Delta Delta for its willingness to work with the commission following a review of its initial expansion plans. Those plans showed an expansion that was out of character with the original structure and significantly bled into the cleared lot. After working with neighborhood representatives, a suitable compromise was passed that pleased all involved parties.

Now, just a few months later, however, Athens-Clarke County has issued a stop work order to the sorority's contractor, R.W. Allen, for not respecting the protection of the existing trees on the site as required by a local ordinance. As a result, the only work that can be done is interior renovations.

Hoard said it was her understanding that Delta Delta Delta was planning to return to the Athens-Clarke County Planning Commission and request changes to their development. Both she and Hamby said they have not had any communication with the sorority's representatives since approving the project earlier this year.

(As an aside, give a read to Lee Shearer's article as it gives the broader context of the University of Georgia's decision to relocate several fraternities and sororities off campus.)