8561-94 Zoning - 114 N Frances St

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historic p reservation commission of south bend and st. joseph county ROOM 1123 COUNTY CITY.BUILDING south bend,Indiana 46601(219)235=9798 Comments prepared for r AREA PLAN COMMISSION November 15, 1994 • PROPOSED CHANGE OF ZONING 114 NORTH FRANCES STREET by Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend & Saint Joseph County First let me, state that I have been told that this proposal should have been better addressed., when the change of zoning for the adjacent, property 116 Frances was sought early last Spring. Unfortunately that occurred before I assumed my present position and while our office was without a Director and staffed entirely by an overworked assistant. Had I been in my present position and aware of the previous petition, I would have remonstrated at that time. That petition resulted in the demolition and rezoning of a property similar to the one presently under consideration. The petition presently under consideration is a proposal to create a commercial "class C" spot zoning in the midst of at least six contiguous blocks of solid "class B" residential blocks. The location in question is surrounded on all sides by existing residences. There is no evident prevailing public interest which would require the overriding of the surrounding designation as would be necessary to justify such a spot zoning. The given reason for this proposal is to provide parking for a medical office which is located in "B" zoning but which is not contiguous with this real estate. Medical offices are the only commercial use permitted within "B" zoning. When this exception was allowed, I do not believe that the "Doctors Inc." type of facility was contemplated, but the traditional neighborhood doctor's office. However that issue is a digression from your present consideration. The proposal at hand is not a request for variance attached to the medical, office use, but a change to "C" zoning in another block. Following a change /'n: zoning this location could be separately sold and occupied by any allbwW;d commercial use, violating the residential integrity of the block. This is detrimental not only to adjacent residential occupants but to owners of other: competitive commercial property which is already established. As Director of the Historic Preservation Commission, my concern with the property under consideration and its environs is that the structure which would hereby be slated for demolition is an excellent specimen in both design. and condition of a simplified Greek Revival Gable Front house which ins considered in the Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory as- contributing structure to the proposed East Washington Street National:, .0.- Register Historic District as identified in the Inventory's South Bend Summary�,,� Report (see excerpt). \ i O' i l