The ongoing war between the city of East Lansing and student housing has reached yet another childish obstruction.

This particular battle is between the city council and the student-rental monopoly DTN Management Co.

DTN desired to build yet another apartment complex on Burcham Drive, which would have housed 90 occupants.

City Council shot this down, however, concerned that the complex would welcome renters (i.e. students and young people), thus being detrimental to permanent residents living in the area.

In response to DTN's wishes, the City Council created an ordinance that could leave the land unavailable to renters - and students. This is old news.

The new word on the street is where the battle heats up a bit.

DTN, in turn, has filed a lawsuit against the city saying the management company wasn't given a fair hearing by the city regarding its plans.

The City Council's zoning ordinance has not yet been approved, but if it is, DTN will not be able to go through with its plans for the apartment contest - regardless of the trial's result.

The lawsuit, whether warranted or not, is pointless.

We feel DTN is out of luck and will be unable to build the complex; the lawsuit certainly won't help the company achieve its goal.

However, we feel although DTN already has quite the monopoly in East Lansing, the company has a right to make as much money as it wants.

It also has a right to be able to buy the property and build apartments geared toward students.

The location is good for students, who would be able to walk or bike to class with ease.

We feel the more student property south of Burcham Drive (including the road itself), the better. Segregating students more won't help the city, either.

All in all, neither side is really going to come out the victor of this battle.