03-28-05 Zoning & Annexation - Laserfiche WebLink

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._ }. Council Member Kuspa then called for a presentation on Bill No. 05-19 which would approve a petition of the South Bend Board of Zoning Appeals for the property located at 3201 W. Western Avenue. Council Member Kuspa noted that this would permit a used car operation and was continued at the request of the Petitioner for two(2)weeks. J. Bernard Feeney of Lang, Feeney and Associates, Inc. with offices located at 715 South Michigan in downtown South Bend made the presentation on behalf of Miguel Becerril. Mr. Feeney stated that at the request of Council President Pfeifer he attended the LaSalle Park Neighborhood Association meeting and made a presentation. He noted that the Association believes that another car shop would not be beneficial to the area. A copy of the letter dated March 28, 2005 from Gail Brodie,President of the LaSalle Park Neighborhood Association was tendered into the record(copy attached). Mr. Feeney stated that he met with his client, Miguel Becerril, and believes that additional information about him should be shared with the committee. Mr. Becerril has been a US citizen since 1983 and moved here from California. He is married and has three (3) children. He purchased a home at 4977 Scenic Drive. He has worked for five (5) years in the auto business and also in a local factory. He purchased the property in question in July of 2004. This property has previously used as a bar, a restaurant, and a day care facility. He has made improvements to the property at his cost of approximately $35,000 to $40,000 for materials alone. He noted that he purchased the property from an older couple who could not afford to maintain the property. It has an eye-catching paint job (yellow with purple trim) and has built an addition on the rear of the property resulting in doubling the size of the square footage. He has three (3) full-time employees and two (2) part-time employees and his wife works as a bookkeeper. Mr. Becerril plans to reside the structure so that it will all match and be a light brown color when completed. He plans to repair the asphalt by installing a topper. He also plans to install a low decorative fence on the front of the property consistent with city ordinances. He concluded his remarks requesting a favorably recommendation from the Committee to the full Council. Dr. Varner inquired about the zoning. Building Commissioner Don Fozo stated that it is zoned okay for the rehab. The petitioner is asking for a special use which is required by the new zoning ordinance for auto sales. Retail would be permissible. Mr. Feeney added that diagonally there is an auto sales operation from the property in question, and therefore would not be a new use in the block. Council President Pfeifer thanked Mr. Feeney for going to the LaSalle Park Neighborhood Association meeting. She questioned how the proposed use would fit into the City Plan and the Weed& Seed area. She stated that three (3) police officers attended the neighborhood meeting and reported that there was"illegal and questionable behavior" at the subject property; as well as a lot of calls for service. She noted that when neighbors do not support a project, she will not support a project. She hoped that the petitioner would meet with the police and the neighbors. March 28,2005 Zoning and Annexation Committee of the 2005 South Bend Common Council -page 2-