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