10-22-18 Zoning and Annexation - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY OF SOUTH BEND OFFICE OF THE CLERK contend that we don't need the petitioner here if the staff is here and the record that has been presented here before us is sufficient for Council's consideration. Councilmember Karen White stated, It has been a practice and so we have to be consistent. We would be changing the practice anytime we don't follow it. I recommend to have discussion about that but we've always asked the petitioner to come back, regardless of the scope of the project. If the Council and Committee would like to look at handling it differently, I would ask you please move ahead with those discussions but I don't want change practice just for this one (1). I think we need to be very careful. Councilmember Tim Scott stated, I differ to the senior Council Members. I was taught, when I got on Council, that it was tradition because if you are serious about your investment and what you are going to do, this is part of the process in being here. We've always asked Area Plan and their staff to reach out to the petitioner. And to me, that starts down a slippery slope. When would we decide who does and doesn't need to be here? And who knows what questions might come up? I like the fact that it is a serious investment, no matter what size it is, that they should be here. We get people in and out pretty quickly with this Council. Bill No. 18-56- 340 E. Colfax Ave Ms. Smith stated, We have a petitioner here for this one (1). Before you is for the hydroelectric dam underneath Seitz Park. Because it is a utility,it is listed in the ordinance as a special exception use and that is what they are seeking here today. We had nobody at the ABZA hearing to speak in opposition. It comes to you with a favorable recommendation and I would be happy to answer any questions. Committee Chair Davis opened the floor to questions or comments from Committee and Council Members for the presenter. There were none. He then gave the floor to the petitioner. Mike Danch, Danch, Harrier&Associates with offices located at 1643 Commerce Drive, stated, I am here representing the City and also The University of Notre Dame. As Angela said, this is for the hydroelectric dam being put underneath Seitz Park. Per the ordinance,we actually have to have a special exception approved for this even though it is for the University and supplying somewhere between eight and ten percent(8%- 10%) of the power. It is about one point eight megawatts (1.8 MW) of power. They already have approvals from IDEM and the DNR. They will also have to submit a final site plan to City Engineering and to the Building Department before they can actually pull the trigger for this. No one showed up at the ABZA meeting to speak in opposition to this. We ask for your approval. Committee Chair Davis opened the floor to questions or comments from Committee and Council Members for the petitioner. Committeemember Ferlic asked, What percentage of the total energy did you say? Mr. Danch replied, They said eight to ten percent (8% - 10%). Once this goes in, the whole point is they intend to build power lines from this particular site up to the campus. As part of the lease agreement with the Park's Department, they are also giving the Park's Department$1 million for the improvements to Seitz Park. EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTABILITY INNOVATION I INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT 455 County-City Building 1227 W.Jefferson Bvld South Bend,Indiana 46601 p 574.235.9221 f 574.235.9173 TTD 574.235.5567 www.southbendin.gov 3