12-12-05 Community & Economic Development

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The Community and Economic Development Committee of the South Bend Common Council Minutes from Meeting of December 12, 2005 The December 12, 2005 meeting of the Common Council's Community and Economic Development Committee meeting was called to order by its Chairperson Ann Puzzello at 4:47 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Pfeifer, Kelly, Puzzello, Kuspa, Rouse, Kirsits and White. Among those also present were City Clerk John Voorde, City Engineer Carl Littrell,City Community and Economic Director Sharon Kendall,Building Department Director Don Fozo,Water Works Director John Stancati,Public Works Director Gary Gilot,Controller Catherine Fanello,City Planners Andy Laurent and Larry Magliozzi,Derrick Spear of Abonmarche Company, Jamie Loo (South Bend Tribune), and Aladean M. DeRose substituting for Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand, Council Attorney. A Committee quorum existed with all members present,namely Council Members Puzzello, Kelly, Kuspa and Kirsits. Bill No. 91-05 - Appropriation of $647,380.93 in Fund 209 to Redevelop the Studebaker-Oliver Project Area. City Planner Andy Laurent presented this Bill to the Committee. He explained that the subject funds to be appropriated were environmental lawsuit settlement proceeds, to be used for acquisition,relocation,clean-up and other redevelopment expenses in the Studebaker-Oliver Project area. No member of the public spoke for or against the Bill,and Mr.Kuspa moved to send Bill 91- 05 to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. Mr. Kelly seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Bill 05-144-Resolution for Five Year Real Property Tax Abatement,Lafayette Falls Subdivision, Kendall-Weiss LLP. Mr. Derrick Spear, Abonmarche Company, 750 Lincoln Way East, South Bend, presented this Bill to the Committee on behalf of developer Kendall-Weiss,LLP. He explained that this was the third phase of a residential realty development project and that the first two phases are completely developed. The third phase will involve 35 lots for homes with an average price of $160,000 each and a minimum of 1,800 square feet. The infrastructure construction is underway with the sewer and water to be completed by winter and spring 2006. Tax abatement was granted for homes in Phases 1 and 2, and tax abatement for Phase 3 will aid marketing. Mr. Varner asked how many homes have been sold. Mr. Spear said that all homes in Phases 1 and 2 have been sold and that Phase 3 is a smaller project. He believed most of the lots have home