01-23-06 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 23, 2006 Mr. Nicholas Witwer, Economic Development Planner, Community & Economic Development Department, 1200 County-City Building, South Bend, Indiana, made the presentation for this bill. Mr. Witwer advised that this is a request to rezone the seven properties located in the Crescent at Blackthorn from “O” Office to “LI” Light Industrial to facilitate a broader range of uses. The rezoing of these properties is consistent with the surrounding zoning. The properties were originally zoned “LI” Light Industrial and were rezoned to “O” Office as part of the County wide rezoning process. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. There being no one present wishing to speak to the Council either in favor of or in opposition to this bill, Councilmember Varner made a motion for favorable recommendation to full Council concerning this bill. Councilmember Kuspa seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes. BILL NO. 86-05 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF IRONWOOD AND IRELAND (RETENTION TH POND), COUNCILMANIC DISTRICT (5 DISTRICT) IN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA Councilmember Kuspa, Chairperson, Zoning & Annexation Committee, reported that this committee held a meeting this afternoon and it was the consensus of the committee to send this bill to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. th Mr. P.J. Thuringer, Staff Planner, Area Plan Commission, 11 Floor County-City Building, 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana, presented the report from the Commission. Mr. Thuringer advised that the petitioner is requesting a zone change from “SF1” Single Family and Two Family to “CB” Community Business to allow an off premise sign. On site is vacant land that is part of a large retention basin. To the north is vacant land that is a retention basin. To the east is a church zoned “SF 1” Single Family and a CVS Pharmacy zoned “CB” Community Business. To the south is an integrated service and retail multi-tenant center that is zoned “CB” Community Business. To the south is an integrated service and retail multi-tenant center that is zoned “CB” Community Business and a gas station zoned “CB” Community Business. To the west are outdoor operations for a discount store and a retail tile store zone “CB” Community Business. The “CB” Community Business District is established to provide a location for high volume and high intensity commercial uses. Activities in this district are often large space users which may include limited amounts of outdoor sales or outdoor operations. The site is 0.2 acres or approximately 9,000 square feet in size. The sign will be thirty-fiave (35) feet in height. The lease states that the lessee shall have full and free access to the site although it is not know how the site will be accessed. The sign will be two-sided so it will be viewed from both north and southbound traffic. The trend seems to be toward high intensity commercial uses along the Ireland Corridor. Areas to the north are primarily residential in nature. The MACOG traffic counting program counted 15,911 cars per day on Ironwood Drive north of Ireland Road in 2003. Although the off premise sign will not use utilities, municipal water and sanitary sewer are available to the site. The site is located within a city owned retention area. There are no Comprehensive Policy plans relating to this petition. The Land Use Plan does not address this petition. The area is part of a growing commercial corridor. The area east of Ironwood Drive is zoned “CB” Community Business District. Commercial uses are appropriate for this area. Property values should not be impacted negatively with the rezoning. It is 5