Apparently, the house at 24 Rose Lane in Rosemont, which used to belong to a delightful lady who also loved the color purple and beautiful flowers is now owned by a gentleman who has created an illegal student rental.

But he did so without proper authority, so he is apparently NOW trying to make his rental forever student zoned. This is a little street of affordable housing that people have rented on for years if they did not own - it's also one of those streets where tenants stay. It's an affordable street in Lower Merion Township that has never to my knowledge had student rentals.

If you have an opinion on student housing, and the process which seems in itself to abuse the process - (an appeal acts as a stay and a landlord who has created an illegal situation can continue to suck rent out of tenants and profit while this goes through the legal system.) - you might wish to attend not only the next Zoning Hearing Board where this situation is playing out in Haverford, but you might wish to address the Lower Merion Township Board of Commissioners on this topic as well as the local papers. Try ,

This is not a comment on off campus student housing and students per se, but actually a comment on the abuse of process. (If colleges had enough housing students wouldn't have to resort to illegal student houses, right?) You can also write to the Zoning Officer of Lower Merion . Please note that several illegal student houses are in the process of a similar process: they know they can't just become a student or group rental, they do it, they get caught, they are told to stop, they appeal so they can make money even if they know in the end (and some do) that they will never be allowed to have a permanent rental of this time due to code restraints.

Something needs to be done to level the playing field and tighten the code. This protects residents and students. I see a 24 Rose Lane listed up here as a new user, and wonder if he does indeed live in this house, was he told by his landlord that this was a legal off campus student residence? If so, I feel sorry for the students because they weren't told the truth.

This house has never in it's history been a student rental that I am aware of, and it represents the affordable housing we all say we need preserved and/or more of. Also, neighbors on this street say that this property owner has a LOT of plans for this vicinity, not just a student house. So what is the motive? What is the real story? Please note cousel retained is with Fromhold Jaffe and Adams. http://www.fromholdjaffe.com/contact.htm

How they think they can justify this escapes me, but I am sure they will spout volumes on the topic when the time comes, right?

See this:

A zoning application has been submitted seeking approval to establish a student home for up to three students.

Owners and Applicants: Wen Zhao Chau & Main Line Vista LLC

Contact: Jamie Jun, Esq. 610-527-9100

A hearing date has not been scheduled.

Is it true the landlords father owns restaurants and a whole slew of student houses elsewhere in the area?