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Dan Brewer Area Plan Commission of Saint Joseph County 227 West Jefferson Boulevard Suite 11.40 County -City Building South Bend, Indiana 46601 Dear Mr. Brewer: RECEIVED FFB 2 1 2017 AREA PLAN COMMISSION Thank you for the opportunity to offer you this brief reflection on the high -rise Commerce Center project for which Dave Matthews, LLC has requested a variance. While it is easy to understand the substantial interest that the proposed development might have for an individual entrepreneur, or indeed for the Martin's Supermarket chain, which certainly can recognize the economic benefit of locating in a high density, affluent neighborhood, the project fails in important ways to serve the long -term, collective interest of the community. Development for the sake of development serves only narrow private interest. The Commerce Center project would more than double the height limit established by the East Bank Master Plan, an expression of the public will that was reaffirmed just recently by separate actions of the Area Plan Commission and of the South Bend Common Council. The project would diminish public enjoyment of the Saint Joseph River, our area's primary geographical resource, and by directing extraordinary public funding toward yet another high -end apartment and condominium development, would restrict future civic planning for more than a decade. While I agree that area plans need to be reviewed periodically and revised appropriately, there is no compelling public interest that is served here by the proposed waiver of broadly supported community standards. I ask that you stand with the community by opposing the Commerce Center project, and that you give your support to a revitalized public planning process. Respectfully yours. �.. Patrick Martin �,5" [,4,LALA_-F- 1139 North Lafayette Boulevard South Bend, Indiana 46617