01-14-19 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING January 14, 2019 homes zoned SF-Two (2), Single-Family and Two (2)-Family District. Here (referencing a slide in the presentation)is a view of the property as it currently is.The site plan shows the development of seven (7) Single-Family homes abutting Howard Street, thirty (30) Multi-Family units on the interior plots. Parking would be located in garages for the units with some on street parking. A pedestrian path runs along the north side of the property. This comes to you with a favorable recommendation from the Area Plan Commission subject to the following written commitments. The building abutting Howard Street will have a maximum height of thirty-five (35) feet, two (2) and a half stories. A north-south sidewalk will be provided on the west side with public access to Frederickson Park on the northwest corner of the project site. Type B perimeter landscaping will be provided on the east side of the property abutting the drive and parking area. Type A perimeter landscaping will be provided along Howard Street. The curb cut on the west side of the project will line up with Jacob Street. A sidewalk will be provided the length of the project's front edge on Howard Street. The animals living in the woods will be trapped and relocated humanely, two (2)weeks prior to the removal of any trees. The cost will be covered by Century Builders. I would be happy to answer any questions and the petitioner is here as well. Brian McMorrow, Abonmarche Consultants with offices located at 750 Lincolnway East, South Bend, IN, served as the petitioner for this bill. Mr. McMorrow stated, I am here on behalf of the property owners, Howard Street Land Trust at 5 Corners LLC and also the home builder and developer, Century Builders. The plan that is shown on the screen came about after Century Builders had the notion to develop the property for a higher density than the Single-Family zone. They reached out to the neighbors one (1) on one (1), neighborhood groups, the University and others. In the end, the plan that we are proposing includes a plan to have Single-Family homes along Howard Street and then multi-family homes with the fronts of those homes facing Frederickson Park. The idea is to engage with the park and our plan will also include a minor modification whereby the sidewalk which is shown presently to run through the middle of the project will be relocated to form,essentially,an extension of North Jacob Street.That will welcome residents of that neighborhood to use the park and the passive recreation opportunities that present themselves. We were pleased that we had the support of the Area Plan Commission. We met with the Zoning and Annexation Committee this afternoon and the written commitments set forth are acceptable to our client. Thank you. Councilmember Oliver Davis asked,Could you describe the neighborhood interaction that you did in terms of preparing for this project? Mr. McMorrow replied, Century Builders is a local home builder. They are developing other communities in South Bend. They reached out to individual property owners this past fall and the plans were shared with them one (1) on one (1). Also, a neighborhood meeting was called in the Boys Scouts building over on SR-23 this fall as well. There was a significant effort made to get the input from the neighbors before the plan effected. Councilmember Oliver Davis followed up, So this should come as no surprise to the neighbors at all? Mr. McMorrow replied, It should not. Councilmember Karen White stated, The seven (7) commitments made really enhance this particular project. I want to thank the presenter and the developer for working as Councilmember Oliver Davis had said. We always ask if you have spoken with the neighbors. With the level of conversation and engagement that has occurred, this is a great example of all coming together to get the project done. 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 were none. Councilmember Tim Scott stated, I only caught the back end of this, but I do want to thank Councilmember Broden for your commitment to sidewalks and the questions you ask. And, the developer on that part. We deal a lot with sidewalk issues within the City and anytime we are making it more walkable is definitely a plus. Thank you for your diligence on that. Councilmember Jo M. Broden stated, I want to thank the developers. You really went about this in an outstanding manor and it really makes our job easier as a District Representative and I hope 11