06-13-05 Community & Economic Development

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Community and Economic Development Committee 2005 South Bend Common Council The June 13, 2005, meeting of the Community and Economic Development Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Ann Puzzello at 4:55 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Dieter, Pfeifer, Puzzello, Kelly, Varner, Kuspa,White and Rouse; Citizen Member Martha Lewis,Rita Kopala,Executive Director of the Department of Community and Economic Development Sharon Kendall, Derek Spier, City Clerk John Voorde and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Puzzello noted that the committee consists of Citizen Member Martha Lewis, Council Members Kuspa,Kelly,Kirsits and herself. Council Member Puzzello called for a presentation on Bill No. 05-71 which is a five (5) year residential real property tax abatement for Tampico Developments,LLC for lots numbered 9-28, 46-58,69-78, 80, 81 of Staffordshire Estates Subdivision, Section Two. Mr. Tedd Schaffer, an Economic Development Specialist, reviewed his report dated June 8, 2005 (copy attached). He noted that the petitioner plans to develop 45 lots of a total development which will have 460 homes. The property has already been annexed into the city limits. Each home will be stick-built by Weiss Homes, Inc. The average cost for each will be $135,489 for a total value of $6,097,000. The report concluded that the petitioner meets the requirements for a five year residential tax abatement under Section 2-77.1 of the South Bend Municipal Code addressing single family real property abatement. Derek Spier, a planner with Abonmarche Consultants, LLC with office located at 750 Lincoln Way East in South Bend made the formal presentation. He noted that having the residential tax abatement would help in the development of this project. Dr. Varner noted that he recently received an email voicing concern about the information passed on by the developers of such projects to potential home buyers. He suggested making that part of the granting process. The Council Attorney suggested that since this is not a requirement of the ordinance,the Council could request each developer of a multi-home development project to file with the Office of the City Clerk a copy of the written information which they will provide to each prospective buyer which addressing tax abatement. She further suggested that such information must be of record with the Clerk's Office before the Council would take action on a confirmatory resolution. Sharon Kendall offered to have her department draft such information and work with the developers. In response to a question from the Council Attorney, Mr. Spier noted that the resolution before the Council is correct and contains all of the properties which should be listed. June 13,2005 Community and Economic Development Committee meeting of the 2005 South Bend Common Council -page 1-