05-10-10 Common Council Meeting Minutes

Home Browse Search

REGULAR MEETING MAY 10, 2010 RESOLVE INTO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE At 7:32 p.m. Councilmember Henry Davis made a motion to resolve into the Committee of the Whole. Councilmember Varner seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. Councilmember Puzzello, Chairperson, presiding. Councilmember Puzzello explained the procedures to be followed for tonight’s meeting in accordance with Article 1, Section 2-11 of the South Bend Municipal Code. Councilmember Puzzello stated that a brochure may be found on the railing in the Council Chambers explaining those procedures. PUBLIC HEARINGS BILL NO. 15-10 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 521 ECLIPSE PLACE, SOUTH BEND, INDIANA 46628, COUNCILMANIC DISTRICT NO. 2, IN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA Councilmember Kirsits, Chairperson, Zoning & Annexation Committee, reported that this committee held a Public Hearing on this bill this afternoon and voted to send it to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. th Derek Spier, Staff Member, Area Plan Commission, 11 Floor County-City Building, South Bend, Indiana, presented the report from the Area Plan Commission. Mr. Spier advised that the petitioner is requesting a zone change from SF2 Single Family and Two Family District to GB General Business District to allow for a City operated animal shelter. On site is a vacant city owned structure and parking area zoned SF2 Single Family and Two Family District. To the north is Kennedy Park zoned SF 2 Single Family & Two Family District. To the east is Kennedy Park zoned SF2 Single Family and Two Family District. To the south is the Bosch manufacturing plant zoned LI Light Industrial District. To the west is a parking area zoned LI Light Industrial District and single-family residences zoned SF2 Single Family and Two Family District. The total area of the site if 6.19 acres. The existing building will be expanded to a 9,945 square feet structure covering 3.9% of the site. A majority of the existing parking will be removed. A new 32 space public parking area and a 20 space employee and service parking area both covering 36,390 square feet or 13.5% of the site, will be constructed. Open space will total 5.07 acres or 81.9% of the site. Two access points will be provided along Eclipse Drive. Variances requested by the petitioner for the location of the parking area, access drive, and recreational trail, and for reduced landscaping was considered and approved by the Area Board of Zoning Appeal on April 7, 2010. Mr. Spier stated that the existing structure has been located on this site for approximately 70 years. He stated that Eclipse Drive is a two lane private street providing access through Kennedy Park from Bendix Drive to the south to Westmoor Street to the north. The proposed structure will continue to be served by municipal sewer and water. He stated that the proposed site is located within Kennedy Park at the northeast corner of Bendix Road and Goodland Avenue. It includes an approximate 5,300 square foot building which served as a maintenance facility for the Department of Code Enforcement until 1996. A majority of the site is currently covered with an existing parking lot. Eclipse Drive provides access to the existing building. The prior and proposed governmental use of the site meets the objectives of City Plan to enhance city services and therefore, continued governmental use of the site is desirable. The proposed redevelopment of a vacant city owned structure is a positive example of adaptive reuse. The new larger animal shelter will expand the current services provided to the community. Mr. Spier summarized that rezoning the site to General Business will allow the city to redevelop a vacant city owned structure into a community asset. The new animal shelter will enhance and expand the services, which 4