11-14-11 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 14, 2011 Councilmember Rouse asked Mr. Perri if one of the problems with trying to get this piece of property developed is because that it is not in a TIF District. Mr. Perri stated no, that there have not been any problems. He stated in fact the TIF laws have changed quite drastically over the last few years. He stated that now the procedure is totally different and could not speak to it. He stated that it is much more difficult, it has to go down state first. He stated that the State of Indiana has changed the rules to make it very difficult. Mr. Perri noted that he did not control the property prior to the TIF laws changing. Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand advised that at the Committee Meeting Mr. Perri verified that he would be willing to incorporate the four (4) written commitments. Mr. Perri stated that he was willing to incorporate the four (4) written commitments. Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand asked if he would be willing to agree to the amendment to the substitute bill. Mr. Perri stated yes he is. Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand state that she would like to amend Section III., by adding a new sentence at the very end of that section which would read: This ordinance shall be subject to the written commitments outlined in the Area Plan Commission’s staff report on page 3 where four (4) items addressing screening, landscaping, and height restrictions are set forth. Councilmember Oliver Davis made a motion to accept the amendment as read by Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Councilmember Dieter seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. th Gary King, 730 N. Hill Street, South Indiana, stated that he is a resident of the 4 District. Mr. King stated that he has lived in St. Joseph County since about 1974 or 1975. He stated that they first moved north of Mishawaka when this area was still a Target Store and wonder ever since why there was nothing around there. He stated that it looks like it was set up to have more around there. He stated that it is not being used to its full potential. It is not like a park where children could play, a football stadium where people enjoy a game, its just there and it needs some development. He stated that it needs to type of development that Mr. Perri is proposing is the exactly what would fit into that area. He stated that Mr. Perri lives less than two miles from the proposed development, so in fact he is one of the neighbors. He stated that he feels that they can trust one of their neighbors way more than they can trust someone from Canada or Chicago or anywhere else. Mr. King stated that Mr. Perri is committed to making sure that project works and it succeeds. Mr. King stated that people will remonstrate because there will be more people and traffic. Mr. King reminded the Council that South Bend was called a dying city because of the decline in population especially young people between the ages of 18-30. He stated one of the reasons is because it is difficult to buy a home when you are starting out in a career. He stated that they need apartments. He stated that Mr. Perri also proposes senior living which is a good use. They will have close access to shopping, doctor’s offices it’s a good place to have this type of development. People should not be afraid that there might be more people in the neighborhood, people should not be afraid that there might be more traffic at certain times of the day, that is why invented traffic lights and stop signs so you can regulate the traffic flow. He stated that they can put the driveways so that ingress/egress are smooth. He stated that this is our chance to put some property into the community where people can enjoy it and succeed and generate a little 8