04-09-18 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING April 9, 2018 along the corridor because, and I'm quoting, `...it can create pedestrian-friendly destinations with unique identities that have the greatest chance of competing in the regional atmosphere. However, it is evident that there is some erosion to this clear pattern as some homes between nodes have been adapted to commercial use. A shortage of commercial space is not the driver for this conversion given that there are several vacant properties along the corridor. This change should be halted before these changes negatively impact the corridor.' It then goes on to say, `It is important to ensure that development does not creep into the zones that are, and should be, predominantly residential between the nodes. Where current uses are consistent with policy, the existing zoning should be enforced and changes of zoning to individual parcels should not be permitted.' So it seems to me that,regardless of whether this property is on the edge of this zone,the circumstances of this request go against the spirit or the essence of that plan. To rezone one (1) property in this piece of the corridor is indicative of spot zoning. Spot zoning is rezoning one (1)piece of property to benefit an individual owner, rather than to benefit the community. When the property is indistinguishable from the adjacent properties, and looking at those pictures, they are three (3) residential homes that all look similar. Based on the ideas of the plan, residential use is most desirable for this property and for its neighbors to maintain the separation between the two (2) commercial nodes. If you allow a zoning change on this property, you are potentially starting a domino effect. I urge you to vote against the rezoning. Cannella Vizza, 101 E. Mishawaka Avenue, South Bend, IN, stated, I am here to share a very private experience because it is the right thing to do. While completing my PhD in Biogeochemistry,I struggled with the University of Notre Dame's restrictive birth control policies and found myself unintentionally pregnant in the summer of 2014. Due to health concerns, my partner and I made the decision to have an abortion. I do not regret this decision. I grew up in Texas and am surprised to learn that Indiana's environment is even more hostile towards patients seeking abortion care. I first called Planned Parenthood in Mishawaka where I was informed that they did not provide abortions. They referred me to the Women's Care Center. I then set up an appointment with Women's Care Center on LaSalle to acquire a pregnancy test. There, I was subject to mandatory counseling including intrusive questions about whether I wanted to have the baby.I was not offered an ultrasound nor provided any information about pre-natal care or possible pregnancy complications which was my original concern. Staff were aggressive and followed up multiple times by phone about parenting classes and other unsolicited resources. In the following months, we suddenly began receiving lots of mail geared toward new parents that we have never received before. I would also like to state for the record that my spouse and I submitted letters in opposition to the rezoning application but we received no such invitation to talk with the applicant, as they claimed. Shortly after my experience with Women's Care Center, my partner who is now my spouse and I made an appointment with the Women's Pavilion. We drove by the clinic which was located right next to a Women's Care Center. We immediately saw around a dozen anti- abortion protestors. We decided to park our car at the nearby McDonalds because we feared they would take down our license plate. As we walked by the protestors they started swarming us, getting in our face, and shouting. Thankfully, clinic defense volunteers helped us inside. Even though I had already made the decision to have an abortion, the State mandates a waiting period. We were forced to come back,in person,to receive the pills I required.This meant walking through the protestors again,all while being concerned for our safety. I firmly believe that women in South Bend need access to compassionate abortion care. Whole Women's Health would provide such a clinic along with other reproductive services that Women's Care Center does not provide. The location was strategically chosen to provide a parking lot and a space without protestors. Unfortunately, Women's Care Center bought the residential home right next door so they can confuse and intimidate women seeking abortion care. I respectfully ask the Council reject the rezoning application. Allowing them to open up shop right next to Whole Women's Health would create a conflict zone. There would be a constant barrage of protestors, news coverage and police presence fueling unnecessary and traumatic experiences for all involved. The intimidating mass of people gathered here tonight feels all too familiar. I therefore urge you to protect the physical safety and emotional well-being seeking reproductive health care. Please do not allow a private medical service to become even more of a political football. Surely, that would only perpetuate injustice at the expense of women, children and families in our community. Thank you. De Bryant, 215 N. Scott Street, South Bend, IN, stated, I am here to speak on behalf of opposing this petition for rezoning. I will begin my comments by saying I am a community psychologist. A community psychologist is someone who is involved with not only clinical diagnosis and personal problems people experience but also issues of public forces that complicate those personal problems. As I have sat here this evening and listened to the comments of others that come before 19