During break, the East Lansing City Council officially designated the East Village blighted.

The council approved a motion to deem the properties, which include Cedar Village, an area of community rehabilitation, revitalization and renewal, with a vote of 4-1.

Comprised of 35 acres, the blighted area is bounded at the north and south by Grand River Avenue and the Red Cedar River, and on the east and west by Bogue Street and Hagadorn Road.

"We are trying to provide many tools to redevelop the area," said Tim Dempsey, the city's community and economic development administrator.

The designation makes the city more attractive for state incentives, like financial help, Dempsey said.

While the city plans to use the title as a tool, some students feel it might have a negative impact.

"We aren't in support of being included in that area," said Cody Dawson, vice president of external relations for the Interfraternity Council. "We don't think our property lies under the criteria for a blighted status."

Dawson delivered a formal statement to the council during its Dec. 21 meeting detailing why the four fraternities included in the designated area should be exempt.

"We have done all of the renovations on our own ticket," he said. "I think it is impressive that we can raise that much money and improve our houses without having a profit base that supports that."

After the meeting, Dempsey said some residents and students are displeased with the designation, because they feel they can fix their properties on their own.

"We understand that there is concern by the property owners," Dempsey said. "We are trying to not focus on whether the designation will have a negative impact."

Also approved at the meeting was an ordinance to restrict rentals in the West Brookfield Neighborhood, east of Hagadorn Road.

A two-thirds majority of residents signed a petition to ban new rentals from entering their neighborhood.

"We live in a stable neighborhood," West Brookfield resident Pat Norris said. "We feel strongly about maintaining it."

Other property owners in the city looking to rent out their homes are facing several new restrictions.

Three additional ordinances limiting rentals were passed at Tuesday's council meeting. Properties in the Old Whitehills and Glencairn neighborhoods, Lantern Hill, Bedford Hills and Barberry subdivision were affected.

During the meeting, residents came forward and expressed concern about the petition process.

"The city has a well laid-out procedure, but I found at least six to 10 couples who signed the petition out of turmoil," East Lansing resident David Milstein said. "They really did not understand what they were signing."

City officials defended the process, saying they had sent out pamphlets detailing the different overlay districts and held an informational meeting.

"We are doing the most we can to make sure everyone does understand," Planning and Zoning Administrator Bob Owen said.