02-14-05 Community & Economic Development

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Community and Economic Development Committee 2005 South Bend Common Council The February 14, 2005 meeting of the Community and Economic Development Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Ann Puzzello at 4:48 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Dieter, Pfeifer, Puzzello, Varner, Kuspa, White and Rouse; Citizen Member Martha Lewis,Mayor Stephen Luecke,Executive Director of Community and Economic Development Sharon Kendall, Economic Development Specialist Tedd Schaffer, Rita Kopala, J. Bernard Feeney, City Clerk John Voorde, and Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Council Member Puzzello introduced the new citizen member of the committee,Martha Lewis. Council Member Puzzello then called for a report on Bill No. 05-11 which is a reconfirming resolution for Rescue, Inc. and Hope Housing, L.P. for the property located at 432 S. Lafayette Street. Economic Development Specialist Tedd Schaffer stated that Steve Arnold, the Executive Director of Rescue, Inc. is requesting an extension of the ten (10) year real property tax abatement which was granted when Resolution No. 3168 was adopted by the Council on March 10, 2003, in light of the 2-year designation period expiring in March. The petitioner is requesting a 1-year extension due to the delay in acquiring the federal income tax credits. The request falls within the Council guidelines for such extensions. In light of a presenter not being present for the petitioner,the Committee agreed to take this Bill up at the end of the Committee meeting. Council Member Puzzello then called for a report on Bill No. 05-12 which is a five (5) year residential real property tax abatement request for Garden Homes by E.L.,Inc. for lots numbered 1 through 46 in the Oaks Subdivision. Mr. Tedd Schaffer then reviewed his report dated February 7, 2005 (copy attached). He noted that 46-acres single-family homes on twenty(20) acres,with this subdivision being located south of Brick Road. The report concluded that the petitioner meets the qualifications for a 5-year residential tax abatement under Sec. 2-77.1 of the South Bend Municipal Code addressing "Single Family Real Property Abatement". Mr. J. Bernard Feeney of Lang,Feeney&Associates,Inc. with offices at 715 S. Michigan Street in downtown South Bend, then made the formal presentation. He stated that the 46-homes will range in price from $120,000 to $150,000. This area was recently annexed into the city limits and all of the new homes will be stick built by Garden Homes by E.L., Inc. The remonstrance period on the annexation ends in May and construction will begin shortly thereafter. February 14,2005 Community and Economic Development Committee of the 2005 South Bend Common Council -page 1-