Re-alignment and transfer of zoning-related activities and processes to the St. Joseph County Area Plan Commission from the Building Department

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RE-ALIGNMENT AND TRANSFER OF ZONING-RELATED ACTIVITIES AND PROCESSES TO THE ST.JOSEPH COUNTY AREA PLAN COMMISSION Filed in Clerk's Office FROM THE --- BUILDING DEPARTMENT AUG 10 207 KAREEMAH FOWLER CITY CLERK,SOUTH 1 014D,IN Summary The Area Plon Commission has provided planning services for its member jurisdictions since 1966. Among those services is the administration of the rezoning and subdivision process, interpretive support to the Zoning Administrators, general land use planning support to the member jurisdictions, and ordinance text changes. The Building Commissioner of the South Bend/St.Joseph County Building Department is the Zoning Administrator(ZA) for the City of South Bend and the unincorporated areas of St.Joseph County.The member towns each have their own ZA.The ZA is the individual designated as having the responsibility for the interpretation and administration of the Zoning Ordinance, which includes the pursuit of zoning violations. Successful pursuit of zoning violations are a particular concern. It is unusual that most, if not all aspects, of land use planning functions are not organized under one department.The benefits are obvious in that having land use planning, policy, management and implementation is a more efficient approach to conducting those activities. In researching surrounding communities, we are the only jurisdiction that follows our current structure. The goal of the proposal outlined herein, is to enhance planning services to the public and development community, by unifying all land use-related administrative functions under one department. In brief: 1. Assuming ABZA administration would require the services of a PTE. 2. Assuming the general responsibilities of the Zoning Administrator relative to interpretation of the Zoning Ordinance, can be absorbed by existing staff. 3. Assuming the responsibilities of zoning violations will require the services of one FTE. 4. All fees associated with ABZA and zoning verification would be new income. 5. Implementation of Improvement Location Permit fees would be new income. 6. Capital expenses: workstation(s); desk(s); cubicle partitions;vehicle for zoning violations This proposal does not address code enforcement. Code enforcement requires specialized staffing skills, in-depth training, a dedicated administrative process, and considerable capital support.There have been some discussions with South Bend Code Enforcement to contract this service out. Recommendation The general recommendation is to pursue to the fullest extent possible the integration of planning services. Depending on the level of support that the County is willing to provide,there are several options on how to accomplish this. Those options are detailed at the end of this analysis, but at a minimum: 1. Transfer the administrative function of the ABZA from the Building Department to the APC staff; 2. Transfer the position of Zoning Administrator from the Building Commissioner to the Executive Director of the Area Plan Commission. Page 117