03-26-12 Council Agenda & Packet

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RESOLUTION NO. BILL NO. 12-26 A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND,INDIANA, ENCOURAGING A RIVERFRONT REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT ALONG THE BEAUTIFUL ST.JOSEPH RIVER ST_ JOSEPH RIVER 31F MILES " tT as i- 1N i.nll.a.ltl 90 .. y 15 as �a the Indiana Department of Natural Resources depicts the above-referenced map on their website about the St. Joseph River at http_//www.in.in-gov/dnr/outdoor/4479.htm ; and (Wd this website describes the historical significance of the St. Joseph River going back to 1669 when the French explorer, LaSalle, navigated the river from Lake Michigan to what is now known as the City of South Bend; and discusses the many recreational activities such as boating, fishing and "just experiencing the river"; and d� in 2004, the Indiana General Assembly enacted Public Law No. 72-2004 which sets forth regulations for"municipal riverfront development projects"; and (JA" since that Indiana state law took effect, many Indiana communities such as Columbus, Kokomo, Highland and Madison — just to name a few, have created Riverfront Redevelopment Districts which qualified for the required permits after having demonstrated that the proposed municipal riverfront development project area meets the criteria addressing having at least one (1) boundary on the side of a river; that the premises would be properly located from the river; that the permit premises are within an economic development area, a redevelopment project area, or an urban renewal area; and that part of the funding for the project would be funded by city or state monies; and 6c in light of the fact that.Indiana Code § 7.1-3-20-16.1 (c) requires the boundaries of the municipal riverfront development project to be specifically designated by the Common Council, it is important to have input from the legislative branch of the City South Bend involved in the planning stage so that the Council has the opportunity to have input in developing positive and vibrant visions for a riverfront development can move forward.