07/09/07 Council Meeting Minutes

Home Browse Search

REGULAR MEETING JULY 9, 2007 "triangle area", and the construction of new housing along Notre Dame Avenue. Angela Boulevard/Edison Road will provide the primary east-west access into Eddy Street Commons. Eddy Street will provide the primary north-south movement through Eddy Street commons. The following street improvement are proposed: the extension of Napoleon Boulevard as a public street to State Road 23 (also known as South Bend Avenue). The extension of Duey Avenue as a public street north Angela Boulevard/Edison Road. The extension of Burns Avenue north as a private interior access drive into Area 3, Shared Parking. Additionally, the primary access into Area 3 Shared Parking will be from Eddy Street. Secondary access points shall be from Angela Boulevard/Edison Road, Napoleon Boulevard, and the interior access drive extension of Burns Avenue. The main route for delivery and service vehicles via interior access drive will be between Areas 1 RetaiUOffice/Multifamily, and Area 2 Hotels/Conference Center. Pedestrian access to all portions of Eddy Street Commons is high priority for the overall development pattern. Sidewalks and pedestrian connectivity will be provided along all streets and to all residential or commercial uses within Eddy Street Commons. Eddy Street Commons shall be developed with attention to bicycle access and parking facilities that will tie the overall development into the proposed bikeways along Edison Road to the north and Howard Street to the south. The development will be served by City of South Bend water sewer. The preliminary plan notes that all new utility lines shall be installed underground except for required pedestals and service connections. City of South Bend -City Plan, November 2006. Land Use Policy 2.1: Encourage developers to use planned unit and traditional neighborhood development models to promote land use compatibility in future developments. The rezoning is consistent with the City Plan land use policy. City of South Bend -City Plan, November 2006. The Future Land Use Map recommends this area for mixed use, institutional and medium density residential, which is between 6-12 units per acre. The rezoning is consistent with the Future Land Use Map. The site consists of woods, vacant property, and three single family houses. The site is bordered to the north, east, and west by university zoning and land uses. The southern area is residential in character predominantly single family houses, vacant lots, and the South Bend Avenue apartments. The most desirable use for this property is mixed use, university, or multifamily residential. The surrounding property values should be conserved or increased with the PUD Planned Unit Development rezoning. It is responsible development and growth to promote mixed use development as recommended by the City Plan. It is also responsible growth to promote infill development where infrastructure and services exist. Based on information available prior to the public hearing, the staff recommends that the petition be sent to the Common Council with a favorable recommendation. The rezoning is consistent with the City Plan land use policy, which encourages planned unit development and the Future Land Use map, which recommends mixed land use. It promotes the infill development and growth adjacent to two main transportation corridors and near another major thoroughfare (State Road 23) where city utilities and services are available. The proposed zoning district is appropriate for the mixed use development and it will allow a transition between university and single family residential land use. The residential development to the south is in a planned redevelopment area, where residential uses will be designed to blend into, and be compatible with Eddy Street Commons. The architecture will reflect a small, downtown street setting with centralized shared parking to promote pedestrian walking with streets lined with street festivals, outdoor dining, vendors, banners, and benches. Sidewalks and pedestrian connectivity will be provided along all streets and to all residential or commercial uses within the development and between adjacent areas. Efforts will also be made to accommodate bicycle traffic. Mr. Nemeth advised that the Area Plan Commission Office had received letters of support from the University of Notre Dame, the Northeast Neighborhood Revitalization Organization as well as a letter that was favorable from a developer. They also received 13 letters requesting bicycle lanes, bicycle stations, and recreational trails. Councilmember Dieter asked if the Area Plan Commission received any letters in opposition. Mr. Nemeth advised that there were a large number of people in attendance at their meeting. The majority were in favor of the development. There were those that were opposed as well. Mr. Nemeth stated that there were approximately 3/4 in favor.