08-08-11 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 8, 2011 about buy lots they can attest. She stated that the homes will be three to four bedroom houses with 1,100 to 1,500 square feet. She stated that they are going to be marketed to renters whose income is enough to pay the rent and utilities, but they aren’t quite ready to buy a house. She stated that they can rent for 15 years, and in year 15, it will be sold to whoever is living there for a modest price. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Councilmember Henry Davis thanked Ms. Mannix for her commitment to this project. There being no one present wishing to speak to the Council either in favor of or in opposition to this bill, Councilmember Dieter made a motion for favorable recommendation to full Council concerning this bill. Councilmember Oliver Davis seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes. BILL NO. 36-11 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1007 NORTH BENDIX DRIVE AND PART OF 1025 NORTH BENDIX DRIVE, SOUTH BEND, INDIANA 46628, COUNCILMANIC DISTRICT 2 IN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA Councilmember Kirsits, Chairperson, Zoning & Annexation Committee, reported that this Committee met this afternoon and it was the consensus of the Committee to send this bill to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. th Mr. Derek Spier, Staff Member, Area Plan Commission, 11 Floor County-City Building, South Bend, Indiana, presented the report from the Area Plan Commission. Mr. Spier advised that the petitioner is request a zone change from CB Community Business District to MF2 High Density Multifamily District to allow multifamily dwellings (senior independent living facility.) On site is a vacant commercial structure most recently occupied as a restaurant and an adjacent parking area partially used for the Urban Garden Market, a temporary and seasonal farmers market, both zoned CB Community Business District. To the north is a vacant parking area used seasonally for the Urban Garden Market, and vacant retail structure all zoned CB Community Business District. To the east is a credit union, a vacant bank, and a health services facility all zoned LB Local Business District. To the south is LaSalle Square, a multi-tenant retail center, zoned CB Community Business District. To the west is vacant land zoned MF2 High-Density Multifamily District and the LaSalle Branch Library zoned CB Community Business District. The vacant land was rezoned in 2008 (APC #2486-08) for multi- family dwellings (senior independent living facility.) The MF2 District is established to protect, promote and maintain the development of high density multifamily dwellings and to provide for limited public and institutional uses that are compatible with a multifamily residential neighborhood. The development standards are designed to promote the establishment of multifamily dwelling projects with on-site amenities. The 2.58 acre site includes both the 0.91 acres to be rezoned with this petition and an adjacent area to the west which was rezoned to the MF2 Multifamily District in 2008. The site plan shows a four story 72 unit senior living facility covering 0.56 acres, or 22% of the site. The proposed parking areas, drives and sidewalks cover 0.65 acres, or 22% of the site; and the developed recreational open space covers 0.13 acres, or 5% of the site. The remaining 1.24 acres, or 48%, is open space. A total of 144 parking spaces are required and 55 spaces are provided. Variances for a reduction in the number of parking spaces, reduced front yard setbacks from the existing and proposed public rights-of-way, a reduced side yard setback, and an increase in the maximum allowable height and number of stories were approved by the Area Board of Zoning Appeals on June 2011. Access to the site will be provided to the west and south via two proposed public streets. All landscaping, lighting, and signage will be in accordance with the zoning ordinance. The area to the 4