"I am stunned by how quickly our neighborhood has changed," she said.

"It seems that every time a house is sold it is converted to student housing."

Councilor James Calnon (I-Ward 4) said the proposed law does a good job of defining what constitutes a functional family more clearly than the existing law.

But he suggested they leave the number of non-related people living together at four instead of changing it to three.

"I think we need a more comprehensive approach to this and we need a total city response," Calnon said.

Councilors agreed to amend the proposed law to leave the number of non-relateds living together at four.

But they decided to table the proposal as amended at the behest of Timothy Carpenter (D-Ward 1) to study it further.

"I'd like another week to digest this," Carpenter said.

While councilors held off on making a decision on the functional-family question, they approved a new noise ordinance.

Marjorie Mapstone of Brinkerhoff Street told councilors at a public hearing before the meeting that when she has guests stay overnight, they are often awakened at 2 or 3 a.m. by loud people.

"I have to apologize to my guests who are rudely awakened," Mapstone said.

"This has been a major problem since 1970."

The measure was unanimously approved. Michael Kelly (D-Ward 2) was absent.

"I am happy that we are toughening this up and making it a better law," Chris Jackson (D-Ward 6) said.

E-mail Joe LoTemplio at