01-09-06 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 9, 2006 Councilmember Kuspa, Chairperson, Zoning & Annexation Committee, reported that this committee held a Public Hearing on this bill this afternoon and sends to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. Mr. Larry Magliozzi, Assistant Director, Community & Economic Development, 1200 County-City Building, 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana, made the presentation for this bill. Mr. Magliozzi advised that this bill proposes to voluntarily annex contiguous territory in German Township to the City of South Bend. The resolution indicates the approval and adoption by the Common Council of the written plan and policy attached thereto concerning the provision of services, both capital and non-capital in nature, to the territory to be annexed. This annexation is a 12.72 acres parcel at the southeast corner of Portage and Brick Roads. All public improvements, if any, will be required to be done at the expense of the developer. Mr. Magliozzi noted that additional development criteria that is being suggested is that all buildings be placed in a "cluster" pattern so as to minimize their exposure to Brick Road and provide a more compact development. Parking areas should be located in such a manner that they have minimum exposure to Brick and Portage Roads. This can be accomplished through a combination of landscaping and using the clustered buildings as buffering. Parking areas, to the fullest extent possible, should not be used as a de-facto design element between buildings and the public street. A pedestrian connectivity be established and maintained from east to west, and from north to south. This may be accomplished by either traditional sidewalks along Portage and Brick Roads, or internally as a part of the overall landscape design. The overall design of the site treat the SE corner of Brick and Portage Roads (the NW corner of the site) as a prominent feature for the area in general, and the intersection in particular. This can be accomplished by a combination of landscaping, the preserving of positive natural features, and by subdued signage. The retention and detention areas be designed so as to be incorporated as a positive landscaping feature in the development. That only one entrance into the site from Brick road be permitted. This will diminish the impact of this higher density development and reduce the number of conflict points entering and exiting the site. A Public Hearing was held on the Resolution at this time. There being no one present wishing to speak to the Council either in favor of or in opposition to this Resolution, Councilmember Varner made a motion to adopt this Resolution. Councilmember Dieter seconded the motion which carried and the Resolution was adopted by a roll call vote of eight (8) ayes. ANNOUNCEMENT OF OPENINGS ON TEN STANDING COMMITTEES Councilmember Rouse announced that there are openings on the ten (10) Common Council Standing Committees for 2006. The appointments are for one (1) year and applications forms can be obtained in the Office of the City Clerk. ANNOUNCEMENT OF VACANCIES ON VARIOUS BOARDS/COMMISSIONS Councilmember Rouse announced that there are vacancies on the Urban Enterprise Association, Redevelopment Commission, Human Rights Commission and the Century Center Board of Managers. Applications forms can be obtained in the Office of the City Clerk. RESOLVE INTO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE At 7:11 p.m., Councilmember Pfeifer made a motion to resolve into the Committee of the Whole. Councilmember Dieter seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes. Councilmember White, Chairperson, Committee of the Whole, presiding. Councilmember White explained the procedures to be followed for tonight's meeting in accordance with Article 1, Section 2-11 of the South Bend Municipal Code and that pamphlets were available to the pubic, which outline the Council rules and procedures, and are located on the railing in the Council Chambers.