10/22/84 Board of Public Works Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 22, 1984 The regular meeting of the Board of Public Works was convened at 9:30 a.m, on Monday, October 22, 1984, by President John E. Leszczynski, with Mr. Leszczynski, Mr. Richard L. Hill and Mr. Michael L. Vance present. Also present was Assistant City Attorney Carolyn V. Pfotenhauer. AGENDA ITEM ADDED Upon a motion made by Mr. Leszczynski, seconded by Mr. Hill and carried, a request to conduct a block party was added to the agenda. APPROVE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Upon a motion made by Mr. Leszczynski, seconded by Mr. Vance and carried, the minutes of the October 15, 1984, regular meeting of the Board were approved. PUBLIC HEARING AND RECOMMENDATION - DIVISION OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IMPACT AREA - CHAPIN NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION DISTRICT This was the date set for the Public Hearing regarding the request of the Division of Community Development submitted to the Board on October 15, 1984, pursuant to Ordinance No. 7372-84, to consider evidence submitted for the designation of an impact area known as the Chapin Neighborhood Revitalization District, with boundaries being both sides of Jefferson Street (north), both sides of Scott Street (east), the north side of Western Avenue (south) and both sides of Laurel Street (west). The Clerk tendered proofs of publication of Notice in the South Bend Tribune and the Tri-County News which were found to be sufficient. It was noted that the Division of Community Development submitted to the Board maps and plats showing boundaries of the area as referred to above along with evidence of physical deterioration in the area, which evidence is based on objective criteria for for residential and for commercial areas. Ms. Pamela C. Meyer, Senior Planner, Division of Community Development, was present and addressed the Board. Ms. Meyer advised that new regulations of the Housing and Urban Rural Recovery Act of 1983 particularly 24 CFR 570.901(b)(2) permit the use of Community Development Block Grant Funds for activities which aid in the prevention or elimination of deteriorating conditions in areas designated under local law. She further advised that under the regulations, areas designated as an Impact Area must have a substantial number of deteriorating or dilapidated buildings or improvements throughout the area. She advised that the Division of Community Development is request- ing at this time a dual designation for the above referred to Impact Area for residential and commercial use. The Chapin Neighborhood Revitalization District is a six (6) block area with a total of one hundred six (106) units with a 9.4% vacancy rate. The area has a history of population loss and the per- centage of low and moderate income persons is high at 63.1%. Regarding the commercial aspect of the area, Ms. Meyer advised that there are eighteen (18) buildings, with a potential of twenty-one (21) storefronts in the area, eight (8) of which are vacant. Every building in the commercial district needs rehabilitation and 70% of the buildings appear to be substandard. Also in poor condition are the upper level housing units in the commercial buildings. Seven (7) commercial buildings contain upper level residential units providing a total of seventeen (17) units, nine (9) of which are vacant and would require considerable rehabilitation.