06-25-18 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING June 25, 2018 Councilmember Oliver Davis made a motion to continue Bill No. 23-18 to July 9th, 2018. Councilmember Jake Teshka seconded this motion which carried by a voice vote of eight(8) ayes. 24-18 PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE INITIATED BY THE AREA PLAN COMMISSION OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, INDIANA, AMENDING CHAPTER 21 OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE, ARTICLE 2 RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS, ARTICLE 3 COMMERCIAL/MIXED USE DISTRICTS, AND ARTICLE 7 GENERAL REGULATIONS TO REVISE OFF-STREET PARKING REGULATIONS Councilmember Oliver Davis, Chair of the Zoning and Annexation Committee,reported that they met this afternoon and send this bill forward with a favorable recommendation. Angela Smith, Deputy Director of the Area Plan Commission with offices on the 11th floor of the County-City Building, South Bend, IN, served as the presenter for this bill. Ms. Smith stated, The bill before you this evening takes a look at our parking regulations within the City of South Bend and comes up with a comprehensive approach to update our Ordinance and bring it in line with current standards. Since 2004,we have found there to be many gaps within the Parking Regulations and Zoning Ordinance that don't really fit with the urban character of South Bend.The Department of Community Investment has worked with the Area Plan Commission to come up with the revisions before you tonight. This comes to you from the Plan Commission with a favorable recommendation. Michael Divita, Planner for the Department of Community Investment with offices on the 14th floor of the County-City Building, South Bend, IN, served as the petitioner for this bill. Mr. Divita stated, The Department of Community Investment was pleased to develop this proposed amendment in cooperation with Area Plan Commission staff. The Zoning Ordinance's current minimum parking standards are based on dated suburban calculations that do not speak well to the realities of the urban context. The existing standards lead to an over-supply of off-street parking, requiring developers to go to the expense of building parking that they will never use.Using aerial photography we analyzed the current parking needs for various land-uses locally to better calibrate the required minimums. Property owners can still provide more parking if they see that demand. This will also provide greater flexibility. These changes will be particularly helpful in advancing neighborhood scale revitalization on smaller lots. It will be easier to use by property owners and staff. We ask for your approval and would be happy to answer any questions. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. None from the public wished to speak in favor of or opposition to this bill. Councilmember John Voorde made a motion to send Bill No. 24-18 to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. Councilmember Karen White seconded this motion which carried by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes. 27-18 PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AMENDING CHAPTER 2,ARTICLE 9 OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADD SECTION 2-131.1 TO REQUIRE PERIODIC SEXUAL HARASSMENT AWARENESS AND PREVENTION TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF SOUTH BEND EMPLOYEES, ALL CITY OF 6