08-09-10 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 9, 2010 Councilmember Al “Buddy” Kirsits, Chairperson, Zoning and Annexation Committee, reported that this committee held a Public Hearing on this substitute bill this afternoon and voted to send it to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. th Ms. Christa Nayder, Staff Member, Area Plan Commission, 11 Floor County-City Building, 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana, presented the report from the Area Plan Commission. Ms. Nayder advised that the petitioner is requesting a zone change from SF2 Single Family and Two Family District to PUD Planned Unite Development District to allow renovation and expansion of existing church structure to a four (4) unit residential condominium. On site is a church building parking area, garage and green space. To the north are single family homes zoned SF2 Single Family and Two Family District. To the east are single family homes zoned SF2 Single Family and Two Family District. To the south are single family homes zoned SF2 Single Family and Two Family District and the St. Joseph River. To the west are single family homes zoned SF2 Single Family and Two Family District. She stated that the entire site is 0.54 acres. Four condominium units are proposed for a density of 7.4 units per acre. There is an existing building with an addition and a garage proposed, for a total of 7,335 square feet or 31% of building coverage. The garage will hold 4 cars and additional paving will accommodate another 2 cars for a total of 6 parking spaces. Paving, including the new drive/parking area and existing walkways, will cover 12% of the site. The remaining 57% is open space including existing green space with mature trees on the south of the site. The only access proposed is from Leeper Avenue. From 1996 to 2004 this property was zoned A Residential (One Family.) The building appears on both 1986 and 1971 aerial photography. Ms. Nayder noted that the staff suggests that the petitioner contact the Board of Works regarding the possibility of two street trees along Leeper Avenue to buffer the new, larger garage. The most desirable use is a use which will be compatible with the surrounding residential area. Surrounding property values should not be negatively affected. It is responsible growth and development to allow the conversion of an existing structure into a use that is compatible with a mostly residential neighborhood. Ms. Nayder advised that the Commission held a public hearing on July 20, 2010 and send this bill to the Common Council with a favorable recommendation, subject to the following Written Commitments: 1. maintaining the existing green space. 2. Maintaining the architectural characteristic of the building. 3. Defining each unit as a single family unit and 4. Allowing the Staff to approve the underground garage concept. This rezoning will allow the adaptive reuse of a previously institutional building within a well-established residential neighborhood. Mr. Charles Leone, 1055 Riverside Drive, South Bend, Indiana, made the presentation for this bill. Mr. Leone advised that East Northshore Properties, LLC, is the contingent purchaser of the property at 101 E. North Shore Drive, South Bend, Indiana and has requested rezoning of the property to Planned Unit Development (PUD) district for purposes of creating four condominium units on the property through reuse of the existing building and the construction of an addition. Mr. Leone stated that during meetings with neighbors and through the Area Plan Commission property, certain commitments were requested so that the property would be developed in a manner most beneficial to the surrounding neighborhood. Accordingly, Mr. Leone stated that he and East Northshore Properties, LLC will commit to the following with respect to this project: 1. Each unit in the project will be defined as a single-family unit within the meaning of South Bend’s zoning code. 2. The project will be constructed with lower level parking under the new addition instead of an at-grade parking garage on the north end of the property, subject to approval by the Area Plan Commission staff. 3. The existing green space on the south end of the property will be maintained, subject only to necessary sidewalks and driveways as shown on the site plan. 4. The architectural character of the existing building will be maintained. 5