06/11/07 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JUNE 11, 2007 Councilmember Puzzello stated that when the Council looks at a new law or a new bill, they are always told to read up on it and listen. She stated that she has read the bill and listened to the letters in favor and there was nothing opposed to it. She noted that this property is located in the 3~d District and with the passing of Councilmember Kelly, there isn't representation from the 3~d District at this time, but the people have spoken as far as she is concerned and Miami Street is in great need of businesses and new vitality from what she has read and listen to. Councilmember Puzzello stated that she will be voting in favor of this bill. Councilmember Kuspa made a motion for favorable recommendation to full Council concerning this bill as substituted and amended. Councilmember Dieter seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of five (5) ayes and one (1) nay (Councilmember Pfeifer) BILL NO. 18-07 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1237 OAKLAND, SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, COUNCILMANIC DISTRICT 3 IN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA Councilmember Kuspa made a motion to hear the substitute version of this bill. Councilmember Dieter seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of six (6) ayes. Councilmember Kuspa, Vice-Chairperson, Zoning and Annexation Committee reported that this committee held a meeting this afternoon and it was the consensus of the committee to send this substitute bill to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. Mr. Mark Lyons, Staff Planner, Area Plan Commission, 11~` Floor County-City Building, 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana, presented the report from the Commission. Mr. Lyons advised that the petitioner is requesting a zone change from SF2 Single Family and Two Family District to OB Office Buffer District to allow the expansion of a parking lot. On site is a single family house zoned SF2 Single Family and Two Family District. To the north are single family houses zoned SF2 Single Family and Two Family District. To the east are apartment's zoned MF2 High-density Multifamily District. To the south is an office zoned OB Office Buffer District. To the west is an office zoned O Office District. The "OB" Office Buffer District is established to promote the development of small scale office, professional, business, governmental and quasi- governmental uses. Since the types of permitted uses in the "OB" District are typically less commercial in appearance and are architecturally more harmonious with the residential structures, this district can serve as a buffer between residential districts and more intense commercial or industrial districts. The site is approximately 0.10 acres. The site will expand the existing parking area for the Greater South Bend -Mishawaka Association of Realtors building. The site will have one access point on Oakland Street. A variance will be required to allow parking within the 15 foot residential buffer yard. Type B Partial Screening is required along the northern property line. The current land use is single family residential. Northside Boulevard and Oakland Street have two lanes each. Municipal sewer and water are available to the site. City of South Bend City Plan, November 2006 Land Use Policy LU 6: Focus development efforts within the Service Area. The rezoning is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan's Land Use Policy. The future land use map identifies the area for medium density residential. The rezoning conflicts with the Comprehensive Plan's Future Land Use Map. The site is currently a single family home. The most desirable use for the site if residential or office. The surrounding residential property values may not be conserved with the rezoning. It is responsible development and growth to allow the expansion of existing office uses, where adequate buffering is provided. Based on information available prior to the pubic hearing, the staff recommends that the petition be sent to the Common Council with a favorable recommendation. The rezoning will help alleviate the street parking situation