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COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Page #1 of 2 <br />The April 14, 2008 meeting of the Community and Economic Development Committee of the <br />South Bend Common Council was called to order by Ann Puzzello, Member of the Community <br />and Economic Development Committee at 3:15 p.m. in the Council's Informal Meeting Room. <br />Persons in attendance included Council Member's David Varner, Oliver Davis, Timothy Rouse; <br />Bob Mathia, David Morgan, Catherine Fannello, Derek Spier, Ann Kolata, Don Inks, Kathleen <br />Cekanski-Farrand, John Voorde, City Clerk. <br />Committee Members present, Derek D. Dieter, Chairperson; Ann Puzzello, Member <br />BILL NO.08-36 -Tax Abatement -Tampico <br />Derek Dieter, Chairperson, recognized Bob Mathia from Community 8~ Economic Development to <br />report on the application. Bob described Tampico's intent to develop 9.82 acres of farmland into <br />31 residential lots for homes ranging from 1300 to 2000 square foot to be built by Weiss Homes <br />at an avg. selling price of $185,000. Taxes abated during the 5 year period would be <br />approximately $10,200 per home with taxes paid of approximately $7,400 per home. Bob further <br />stated all requirements of the residential abatement request were met. Derek Spier of <br />Abonmarche Consultants further described the developers projected timetable. <br />Tim Rouse questioned whether the Council should be considering abatements given a previously <br />proposed moratorium until the effects of tax reform acted upon by the state legislature. Dieter <br />and Varner recalled there was no actual consensus for a moratorium therefore none was officially <br />imposed. City Controller Catherine Fanello stated the city administration was now ready to make <br />a presentation to Council on the ramifications of Bill 1001. This would perhaps guide future <br />abatement policy. The Mayor's Office was to be contacted to set an appropriate date for the <br />presentation. <br />There being no quorum; no action was taken. <br />BILL NO. 08-37 -Residential Tax Abatement request for 601 Cottage Grove and 701 S. Grant <br />Bob Mathia again described the petition made by Habitat for Humanity for two homes they were <br />building on lots donated to Habitat. Habitat would build two homes 1120 and 1360 square feet <br />respectively. Mathia stated 13 abatements had previously been given to Habitat. These requests <br />were very similar and all criteria for~batement were met. <br />David Hatch of Habitat said the homes would be offered to families who earn 30-55% of an <br />average family income. The;homes would carry a $12,000 no interest loan for the buyers. <br />Oliver Davis asked if there would be garages. <br />David Hatch responded that due to lot size and available building funds only Cottage Grove <br />would have a garage. Again without a quorum no official recommendation was made. <br />BILL NO. 08-38 -Tax Abatement -Request for special exception fora 2 Year Real Property tax <br />abatement for River Rock Inc. <br />Bob Mathia of Community & Economic Development explained the need for a special exception <br />petition. He noted that state law allows a two year real property abatement for properties <br />experiencing vacancy for over a year. The property in question was vacant for two years. First <br />offered for sale @ $340,000; subsequent reductions reduced the sale price to $225,000. <br />According to estimates the building would generate approximately $12,900 per year in taxes after <br />