06/11/07 Council Meeting Minutes

Home Browse Search

REGULAR MEETING JUNE 11, 2007 appropriate for the Miami Village Neighborhood Commercial Environment because of its intensity and visual impact. The City remains eager to work with the petitioner to seek a business use and zoning consistent with the neighborhood and with established plans. There was no one else present wishing to speak in opposition to this bill. In Rebuttal, Mr. Grabill stated that he asked for a list of commitments from the Association. Mr. Grabill stated that at the meeting he attended for the Association, they could not take a vote on this matter due to the lack of a quorum. In regard to Mr. Divita's comments regarding additional site restrictions that have been brought up tonight, this is the first time that he has heard of them. Mr. Grabill noted that he called Mr. Divita for his input on written commitments that would make this project more palatable and receive a favorable recommendation from the Association. Mr. Grabill stated that he did not receive a return phone call from Mr. Divita. Mr. Grabill stated that today, Mr. Divita returned the phone call and stated that the Association would not be in favor of the rezoning. Councilmember Varner stated that City Plan and the vision that the people who developed it have are all well and good for discussion and for planning. But the reality is which of those sixteen vacant properties would you like to see filled up first. He stated that he wished that there were sixteen people here tonight to take ownership of those properties and do something useful with them, but apparently there aren't. Councilmember Varner stated that he is very familiar with the area, he used to deliver newspapers there when he was a kid. He stated that he was not aware that there were sixteen vacant properties with the most recently being the Instant Lube, which he just noticed on his way to tonight's meeting. Councilmember Varner stated that he doesn't think that this rezoning is going to harm the other fifteen properties and the vision that is recommended out there. Councilmember Dieter stated that he believes that there is an opportunity here even though it doesn't specifically fit with City Plan and the guidelines. However, those are just guidelines and sometimes there needs to be exceptions to that. When someone wants to make an investment in the City and especially with an alternative fuel source in today's economy, this is a great project. Councilmember Dieter stated that he will be voting in favor of this bill. Councilmember Pfeifer stated that she disagrees with this bill. She hopes that Mr. Grabill will be able to find something that is conducive to that site. She believes that working with the neighbors is vital. She understands this because in her district they have worked together and when you try and try to get good things to come into your neighborhood you get desperate to have something go into a vacant building, so you take anything. That is what happened in her district and now they are very sorry about some of those things and they have to live with car lots, sales and automobile repair. All the time and effort that went into City Plan should not be undermined, it should be followed. Councilmember Rouse stated that he is concerned and has talked with business people and they tell him that they don't really get the cooperation when they want to invest in the City. He is concerned with the fact that they certainly want to enhance the neighborhoods but at the same time we need viable people who want to make an investment in the City. He really hasn't heard quite frankly, any evidence from anyone other than the planner standing before the Council saying that this doesn't fit the neighborhood. Councilmember Rouse stated that he wants to stop the flow of businesses going to Mishawaka. Councilmember Rouse stated that here is a guy from Mishawaka who wants to invest in South Bend. Councilmember Rouse stated that he is going to vote in favor of this bill, however he is cautious about the concerns raised, but he reiterated that he has not seen any real evidence that this a concern of the corridor businesses because they are not here tonight to speak in opposition.