Special Exception - 702 E. Jefferson Blvd.

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ACTION MORTGAGE CORPORATION children's furniture store. The Natural Way moved to Mishawaka in October of 2008. The building has been vacant since that time although much effort has been made to re- tenant the building. ii. The proposed use will not injure or adversely affect the use of the adjacent area or property values therein: The proposed use will not injure or adversely affect the use of the adjacent area or property values therein. In fact, the building is situated on a prime corner being the southeast corner of Jefferson Blvd. and St. Louis Blvd. Directly across Jefferson Blvd. is Barnaby's Pizza, a popular restaurant. To the east is the Beehive, a hair salon. To the west is Howard Park and the St. Joseph River. To the south is a private residence owned by Mr. Tim Hacker who is an enthusiastic supporter of the proposed use. iii. The proposed use will be consistent with the character of the district in which it is located and the land uses authorized therein: The proposed use will be consistent with the character of the. district in which it is located and the land uses authorized therein. The new tavern is highly consistent with similar uses surrounding it including Barnabys, the Parkview Tavern and the Emporium Restaurant. Other uses in the district include Zion Church on Wayne St., various retail and commercial uses along Jefferson Blvd. and St. Louis Blvd. Howard Park is a major public attraction directly opposite the subject across St. Louis and the proposed use will be complementary to users of the park facilities including the ice rink. The Howard Park/East Bank Neighborhood Association is a proponent of this development as are the residents of the neighborhood in Howard Park. iv. The proposed use is compatible with the recommendation of the City of South Bend Comprehensive Plan: The proposed use is compatible with the recommendations of the City of South Bend Comprehensive Plan. In fact, the proposed use combines several of the Plan's most ambitious agenda items: creating uses designed to increase activity in the urban core. The current situation with a vacant building is not good for the neighborhood or the surrounding merchants. The new use will be of great benefit to the neighborhood as the attempt to attract market-rate housing in the area where Transpo is currently located and the old Sollitt property is redeveloped. It will also be a magnet for current residents who will enjoy the opportunity to sit outside and view Howard Park during the summer months. It will encourage more commerce and be a boon to existing residents as well. In particular, our recommendations to the city Dept of Eco Development concerning the revising of parking along Jefferson Blvd. and the restricting of Jefferson Blvd. to one lane going east from St. Louis is highly consistent with the vision for East Bank Village-- -calming traffic and designed to provide amenities such as that afforded in Chicago neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, Bucktown and Indianapolis neighborhoods like Broadripple. Our surveys of people living in the Sunnymede, Howard Park, and East Bank neighborhood and along Jefferson Blvd. have found a wide base of support.