Planning commission revokes Sigma Nu’s conditional use permit for 1304 Foothill/190 Crandall Way

The San Luis Obispo Planning Commission voted unanimously on May 28 to revoke the conditional use permit allowing Sigma Nu to operate at 1304 Foothill Boulevard/190 Crandall Way, again citing repeated police citations and neighborhood impact.

Staff recommended modifying the permit with updated findings and conditions, but after public comment and an applicant presentation, commissioners concluded that revised conditions would not guarantee protection of neighborhood health, safety and welfare and instead voted to revoke the permit without prejudice; the commission will adopt final resolution language on June 11.

Assistant Planner Mallory Patino summarized the property history: the Sigma Nu permit (U1484) dates to 1990 and was reviewed and modified in the early 1990s. Patino said current limits in the permit had constrained residents and routine gatherings to 19 people and specified event capacities (38 people for certain events). In the current academic year the police department issued four citations at the property — three noise citations and one for an unruly gathering — and code enforcement issued a notice of violation in January, followed by an administrative citation in April.

Charlie Minor, president of the Sigma Nu chapter, apologized for recent disturbances, described chapter philanthropic and community activities, and outlined steps the chapter has taken to reduce disturbances, including retraining sober monitors, deploying portable fencing during events, and coordinating outreach with city staff. Minor said the chapter is working with city and campus staff and that neighbors adjacent to the property provided letters supporting the chapter’s conduct.

Public commenters and neighborhood advocates urged revocation. Stu Jenkins again urged stronger disclosure requirements for satellite houses and stricter restrictions on amplified music. Kathy and Steve Walker described episodes of alleged retaliation and neighborhood damage tied to large gatherings near other fraternity sites and urged immediate action rather than a delayed policy review.

Commission discussion echoed the Delta Chi hearing: several commissioners said they were reluctant to rely on revised CUP conditions as the sole remedy when repeated violations had occurred and residents reported ongoing disturbances across multiple properties. Several commissioners expressed concern that revocation could push parties to other residences; others said the permit revocation would send a clear message and that longer-term, cross‑sector planning is needed.

The commission voted unanimously to revoke the permit “without prejudice,” allowing a future reapplication; staff will prepare a revocation resolution for formal adoption at the June 11 meeting. Commissioners and staff noted a planned city work program item in 2026 to address livability and code‑enforcement priorities more broadly and suggested inviting Cal Poly to future discussions.

Staff and law‑enforcement officials reiterated enforcement tools that apply both to CUP holders and to properties without CUPs: municipal‑code noise and unruly‑gathering prohibitions, administrative citations, and code‑enforcement notices. However, staff said CUPs provide an additional, enforceable set of conditions that may be lost if a CUP is revoked, which is why revocation is a significant land‑use decision.

The motion carried unanimously; the clerk recorded the vote, and staff will return to the commission with drafted resolution language on June 11 for formal adoption.