Transfer of zoning-related activities to 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 FROM THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT Budget Impact: 1. The Department(County)will see an increase in income through application fees. Current Fee structure is $85 for the first variance, and$45 for each additional variance. Some variances are"bundled"by the Building Department. Staff would change that policy providing a slight increase in income.ABZA fees bring in approximately$15,000/year. 2. The hiring of a PTE will increase Personnel costs.ABZA and the implementation of an Improvement Location Permit Fee(see separate discussion on this process)will pay for the added administrative position. 3. Capital expenses would include one workstation, desk and chair. Other Considerations South Bend is considering re-establishing a separate board of zoning appeals to hear City petitions.Approximately half of the petitions are City petitions.A City BZA would be comprised of individuals better informed of the uniqueness of the zoning ordinance and land use issues facing the City. If the City chooses to proceed,the administrative burden would fall on City staff, relieving the APC staff from those responsibilities. Fewer petitions would result in less staff time needed to administer the ABZA process, but it would also reduce income. As noted earlier, "unbundling"variances and increasing fees would cover some of the losses in income. i Page 317