09-10-12 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 10, 2012 Ms. Nayder advised that the petitioner is requesting a zone change from MF1 Urban Corridor Multifamily District to SF2 Single Family and Two Family District to allow a single family home. On site is a two story, brick building. To the north are single family homes zoneF2 Single Family and To Family District. To the east is a vacant zoned MF 1 Urban Corridor Multifamily District and a house zoned MU Mixed Use. To the South, across Lincolnway, is a gas station, zoned CB Community Business District. To the west are several vacant homes, zoned MF1 Urban Corridor Multifamily District. The SF2 Single Family Residential District is established to protect, promote and maintain the development of single family dwellings and two family dwellings in the urban core of the City of South Bend as well as to provide for limited public and institutional uses that are compatible with an urban residential neighborhood. No site plan is required when rezoning to a single family district. Prior to 2004, this block of Lincolnway was zoned C Commercial, with the exception of the property directly to the west being zoned B Residential (multifamily.) Lincolnway East has four lanes. The property also has access from an alley to the north. The site will be serviced by municipal water and sewer. The City Engineer had no comments. The staff commented that the property is located in the Edgewater Place Local Historic District. The Historic Preservation Commission issued a Certificate of Appropriateness for the removal of a back stair structure and replace it with a single story wood pergola, landscaping, and minor masonry repairs. No commitments are proposed. She noted that City Plan’s objective H2 is to maintain South Bend’s housing stock in good condition, and Policy H2.1 is to provide incentives to renovate and repair older and historic homes. The future land use map identifies property on Lincolnway as multi-family and mixed use, and the properties on River and Edgewater Streets as single family. There are no other plans in effect for this area. Along Lincolnway East is a mix of houses and businesses. Some of the structures are in poor condition. The most desirable use is one that is compatible with the mix of uses located in the area. The rehabilitation of this property may have a positive effect on neighboring property values. It is responsible development and growth to encourage the rehabilitation of a currently vacant building that is compatible with the character of the area. Based on information available prior to the public hearing the staff recommends that the petition be sent to the Common Council with a favorable recommendation. The conversion of this property from multifamily to single family is compatible with the goals of City Plan, and the Edgewater Place Local Historic District. Mr. Eric Ford, 25952 Northland Crossing, Elkhart, Indiana, made the presentation for this bill. Mr. Ford advised that he purchased the property as a vacant apartment building. He stated that he would like to renovate it to a single family home. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bills, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. There being no one present wishing to speak to the Council either in favor of or in opposition to this bill, Councilmember Dieter made a motion for favorable recommendation to full Council concerning this bill. Councilmember Scott seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes. BILL NO. 40-12 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL TO VACATE THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PROPERTY: THE FIRST NORTH/SOUTH ALLEY WEST OF NOTRE DAME AVENUE FROM HOWARD STREET SOUTH TO THE FIRST EAST/WEST ALLEY FOR A DISTANCE OF 198 FEET AND A WIDTH OF 14 FEET. SAID ALLEY IS PART OF ND SORIN’S 2 ADDITION TO THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, PORTAGE TOWNSHIP, ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, INDIANA Councilmember Varner, Chairperson, Public Works and Property Vacation Committee, reported that this committee held a Public Hearing on this bill this afternoon and voted to send it to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. 4