06-11-18 Zoning and Annexation - Laserfiche WebLink

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®CITY OF SOUTH BEND I OFFICE OF THE CLERK Mr. Feeney continued, I am here on behalf of Amjad Ahmed and Jay Ameer, the owners of the JJ Fish franchise that is located in the front of this building. The plans themselves indicate that the carry-out restaurant will continue to occupy the space in the north-east corner of the building while the area that is currently unused,the south and west sides of the building, will be devoted for sales offices for used car sales. These two spaces will be completely separate and will be completely distinct from one another. There are a number of spaces that have been specifically devoted in this site plan to customer parking for the restaurant. Those spaces are in fully compliance with Code and are more than adequate for parking at this particular location. Mr. Feeney went on, I've been down there to the restaurant, sometimes during the lunch hour and there have not been many cars waiting. This is a carry-out restaurant. There is a small table in one (1) corner but that small table is ineffective. These people have purchased the former Bonnie Doons restaurant. Those familiar with this particular section of town are well aware that sat idle for twenty (20) or more years before it was purchased. It was not purchased by the two (2) gentlemen I am representing. It was purchased by an intermediate who, again, at that time, erected a six (6) foot chain-link fence around the perimeter and across the front. Our variance requesting that remain was denied at the Area Plan Commission meeting. Mr. Feeney continued, The number of spaces there are plentiful for display of used cars. Whether or not there are five (5) or twenty-five (25) used car dealerships in that area is not necessarily the issue. What we find here is we have an underutilized piece of property that, by the grace of God is currently paying taxes right now. It is owned and is proposed for development at this particular location. There had been another used car lot in this same block immediately north. There were used cars being sold across the street around the convenience store there. There are a number of used cars being sold at various locations south of here. It is not something that is unique to this area nor is it something that would be a blight to the area. Mr. Feeney went on, If this property were to remain in its current LB zoning, it could be used for the site of a self-service Laundromat. It could be used for cabaret or a fast food restaurant. It could be used as a mortuary or a check cashing outlet. It could also be used as a liquor store or pawn shop.And those would be able to happen without any trip to this body.Additionally,with a special exception, it could be used as a quick change oil, a tattoo or body piercing, billiards hall, arcade or a private club. So the zoning for this area is S. Michigan Street zoning. Our office has been in the S. Michigan Street area, in the seven hundred (700) block and we have seen continued blight in that area since we bought our property thirty (30) years ago. At that point in time,the area was a bargain that we thought might rebound. We thought wrong. It never happened. Mr. Feeney continued, These gentlemen are willing to invest in this particular property to a larger degree than what they already have. This is one (1) of three (3) franchise locations they own throughout the City of South Bend. They have one (1) on Lincolnway West and they have one (1) on Edison Road. This is their third (3rd) location and, with a little bit of luck, they will continue on. I don't think this Council wants anything like the strip joints to the south of here or the massage parlor located a little bit to the south,but I don't think a used car lot is that big a deal. Councilmember Scott asked, What did our Department of Community Investment say on this? Mr. Feeney replied, They referred to the Comprehensive Plan and indicated that it did not fit. EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT 455 County-City Building 1 227 W.Jefferson Bvld I South Bend,Indiana 466011 p 574.235.9221 If 574.235.9173 1 TTD 574.235.55671 www.southbendin.gov 3