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Annual Report 2018 <br /> III. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY <br /> The planning department assumed two significant functions in 2018: 1)taking over the administrative <br /> responsibilities of the Area Board of Zoning Appeals and,2)Zoning Administration which includes the <br /> time-consuming task of managing zoning violations.These functions previously resided with the St. <br /> Joseph County/South Bend Building Department. The goal of the re-alignment was to consolidate all <br /> aspects of zoning administrative functions under one department,eliminating duplication of services that <br /> were split between two departments at two different locations.All aspects of zoning-related activities <br /> would be within one organization,enhancing planning-related functions to the public and development <br /> community. <br /> These new responsibilities became effective January 1,2018: <br /> 1. Area Board of Zoning Appeals: <br /> a. Administration of the variance and special exception use process <br /> b. Meeting notifications,transcribe minutes <br /> c. Staff reports(already were being done by staff) <br /> d. Maintain files. <br /> 2. Zoning Administration: <br /> a. Executive Director assumes the duties of Zoning Administrator for the City of South <br /> Bend and St.Joseph County <br /> b. Enforcement of the St.Joseph County and City of South Bend zoning ordinances <br /> c. Interpretation of the St.Joseph County and City of South Bend zoning ordinances <br /> d. Issue improvement location permits <br /> e. Zoning verifications <br /> Along with the transfer of these responsibilities,a new fee structure and income stream for the County <br /> became available.A part-time position was established to assist in the office duties related to the ABZA. <br /> Section VII Financial,includes details of the new income. <br /> Over the past number of years,the staff has been a leader in streamlining the development process, <br /> making it easier for the public and development community to file applications: <br /> 1. Zoning applications only require the submittal of a Petition,a site plan and a Fee. Ordinances, <br /> resolutions,maps,notifications,legal ads and submittal of the ordinances to the respective <br /> Councils are now being done by the staff. <br /> 2. Applications,fee schedules,and development ordinances are now on line. <br /> 3. The staff worked closely with the South Bend City Clerk's office,the City Council and the <br /> Council attorney in reducing the zoning review period by 30 days for City Petitions. <br /> 4. The Project Advisory Team(PAT)was created to offer the development community access to <br /> meet with departments and utilities to get input on projects before extensive design time is done. <br /> 5. The timeline for the review and subsequent approval of subdivisions has been revised so that <br /> developers have a set date at which the plat can be ready for approval. <br /> 4 <br />