17-75 Special Exception 806 Howard Street

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Carolyn Henry From: Jennifer D'Ambrosia <jdambros @nd.edu> Sent: Tuesday, December 05, 2017 3:51 PM To: Carolyn Henry Subject: Area Board of Zoning Appeals:Old Pandora's Dear Board Members, I am writing to share my concerns and opposition to the proposed variances that the old "Pandora's" building at 806 Howard Street have requested. My name is Jennifer D'Ambrosia and I've been a resident of Notre Dame Ave for 15 years. I have seen the emence expansion of this area -with Eddy Street,the Triangle, the monstrosity of a building that is Opus Day—Windmoor House (which was passed without any notice to the neighbors due to some high paid lawyers) and now the continued construction of Eddy Street-Phase Two. People are moving out of the neighborhood because it is becoming difficult to park in front of your own house because of all the cars coming to Eddy Street. Whether to shop or work or go to a Bar/Restaurant;along with the residence in the Foundry that find it easier and closer to park in front of your house than the parking garage, and also most likely they don't have a spot in the garage.This problem is sure to only get worse now with the addition of phase two of Eddy Street. So with that being said, I find it very disconcerting that you would even consider allowing a variance for reduced off-street parking.As it is today,the area has a heightened level of auto brakes-ins, so by allowing more cars to be along the streets just invites more of that type of activity.And it certainly posses a safety and comfort hazard to the homeowners around the said property. I could continue with how unsettling it is to think about adding to the size of a building that is already so out of place in the neighborhood, and probably never should have been allowed to be built in that location in the first place. However, I will just say that as a resident who grew up in Harter Heights, moved away for some 20 years and then returned to the area, I was pleased to see the vast improvements that were made along Notre Dame Ave. and the adjoining streets. Nevertheless, allowing this building to be added to and then decrease the amount of parking it needs to provide, will take us back a decade to when the Ave.was not a desirable place to live–a neighborhood.The neighborhood has come such a long way from the time of rundown, rental houses and bad activity leading to the campus.You are reversing all the positive improvement that have developed in the neighborhood if you allow these changes to be made to this structure. Thank you for your time, Jennifer D'Ambrosia 1104 N. Notre Dame Ave. 574-234-2348 1