01/22/07 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 22, 2007 Mr. Gregory P. Hexane, Director of Asset Management and Real Estate Development, University of Notre Dame, 910 Fanner Hall, Notre Dame, Indiana, spoke in opposition to this bill. Mr. Hexane stated that the University of Notre Dame is in objection to the zoning change at the Northwest Corner of Vanes Street and Willis Avenue and a parcel on the West side of Burdette Street. The University is concerned about the current proposal at several levels: A condo hotel is a commercial use inconsistent with neighboring properties and damaging to property values. The proposed building is out of scale for the neighborhood. It would be a huge, monolithic structure adjacent to single-family residences. This would, in our opinion, be a detriment to property values. The University would welcome appropriate redevelopment in this neighborhood, and would support a plan that committed to building the same type of product for-sale, attached townhouses with separate entrances. The University feels that this use is viable in the market, more consistent with the residential nature of the surrounding properties than either the condo hotel or the mixed-use approach, and would not introduce the same Problems or property value negatives. There was no one else present wishing to speak in opposition to this bill. In rebuttal, Mr. Danch stated that the proposed project is completely residential. There will be no commercial whatsoever and will be subject to written commitments. The site plan meets all residential landscape buffering requirements. The rezoning allows the use of mostly undeveloped property. It is unlikely that owners in this transitional area will invest in constructing single family houses as it is currently zoned. Councilmember Varner made a motion for favorable recommendation as amended to full Council concerning this bill. Councilmember Dieter seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. BILL NO. 67-06 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, ANNEXING TO AND BRINGING WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AND AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED IN CENTRE TOWNSHIP CONTIGUOUS THEREWITH; COUNCILMANIC DISTRICT 6, RANJAN J. AMIN, 60971 US 31 SOUTH, SOUTH BEND, INDIANA Councilmember Al "Buddy" Kirsits, Chairperson, Zoning & Annexation Committee, reported that this committee held a meeting this afternoon and it was the consensus of the committee to send this bill to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. Mr. Robert Nemeth, Staff Planner, Area Plan Commission, 11~` Floor County-City Building, 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana, presented the report from the Commission. Mr. Nemeth advised that the petitioner is requesting a zone change from "C" Commercial (County) to "CB" Community Business District (City) to allow a hotel. This rezoning is in conjunction with an annexation request. On site is an existing motel zoned C Commercial. To the north is a single family house zoned C Commercial. To the east across US 31 is a gas station zoned CB Community Business District (City). To the south are offices zoned C Commercial. To the west is a single family zoned R Residential. The CB Community Business District is established to provide a location for high volume and high intensity commercial uses. Activities in this district are often large space users which may include limited amounts of outdoor sales or outdoor operations. The site is 3.30 acres (143,748 square feet). The existing motel will be removed, and a three story, 71 unit hotel will be constructed to cover 14,456 square feet, or 10% of the site. A 1,200 square foot conference room is also proposed within the hotel. One 19