2 Minutes 11-8-12 meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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South Bend Redevelopment Commission Regular Meeting November 8, 2012 6. NEW BUSINESS C. South Bend Central Development Area (5) continued... Upon a motion by Mr. Downes, seconded by Mr. Varner and unanimously carried, the Commission authorized publication of the Notice of Intended Disposition of Property with publication dates of November 16 and November 23, 2012 and receipt of bids at 9:00 a.m., December 13, 2012. (325 -333 S. Lafayette Blvd.) (6) Authorization to file for Special Exception with Area Board of Zoning Appeals (325 -333 S. Lafayette) Ms. Nicholl -Smith noted that staff has been working with the principals of Indiana Whiskey Company to develop a business plan and finalize a business location to begin their operations. The business plan proposes that Indiana Whiskey will distill and package the whiskey for distribution for sale and will also have a public sales and tasting area. After considering several sites, they have selected the former Schillings building as a prime location for this start-up business. Not only does it have high visibility for the retail portion of the business, but also has loading facilities in the back. The current CBD zoning of that property would allow the retail aspects, but would not allow the manufacturing and distribution aspects of their business. A Special Exception would be needed from the Area Board of Zoning Appeals (AZBA) and the South Bend Common Council to Manufacturing/Retailer. Indiana Whiskey Company would like to initially lease the building, with the intent to purchase it if the business succeeds. Therefore, the Redevelopment Commission, as owner of the property would need to petition for the Special Exception. Staff feels the business would be an asset to the downtown as well as to the Coveleski Stadium and recommends authorizing the signing of the petition for Special Exception. Submission of the petition by November 13 would meet the filing deadline for the December 5 ABZA meeting and the item could be on the January 14 meeting of the Common Council. Captain Charlie Florance, a service connected disabled veteran, explained that when he left the Army's Wounded Warrior program in 2010 he started on a path to opening his own company. He landed at Notre Dame's MBA program, and from there has created a plan to open a whiskey distillery in Indiana. He wants every element in the value chain of the business to be from Indiana, potentially from St. Joseph County, including all the cereal grains that go into the bottle. Additionally, since it is veteran- focused, they are hoping to donate 3% of profits to veteran substance abuse or vocational rehabilitation programs. Without the zoning exception, they cannot use the Schillings building. 0