89-17 Amendment to Chapter 21 of the South Bend Municipal Code

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Staff Report 1/5/2018 APC # 2855-17 Owner: The Honorable Common Council Location: TEXT AMENDMENT Jurisdiction: City of South Bend Public Hearing Date: 1/16/2018 Requested Action: The petitioner is requesting a text amendment to repeal and replace Section 21-03.02 MU Mixed Use District. Staff Comments: Since its adoption in 2004, experience has shown that development in the MU Mixed Use district frequently requires the use of variances and special exception use approvals,even to complete projects consistent with the neighborhood context. This ordinance revises uses and development standards to better support the development of the mixed-use urban neighborhood centers and traditional pedestrian-oriented design. Because the changes involve so many subsections within the chapter,the staff suggesting a replacement chapter. Some of the changes include allowing private clubs and lodges as permitted uses, changing to a minimum project frontage instead of lot frontage in order to allow for integrated developments,reducing setbacks,eliminating plaza requirements, decreasing the minimum height, and updating the architectural standards to better reflect the desired urban design appropriate for the district. Recommendation: Based on information available prior to the public hearing,the staff recommends sending this petition to the Common Council with a favorable recommendation. Analysis: Updating the MU Mixed Use District to better reflect the intent and application of the pedestrian-oriented district within the urban context will simplify development and strengthen the mixed-use neighborhood centers. APC# 2855-17 Page 1 of 1