02-14-05 Zoning & Annexation - Laserfiche WebLink

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w � Zoning and Annexation Committee 2005 South Bend Common Council The February 14, 2005 meeting of the Zoning and Annexation Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Ervin Kuspa at 4:30 p.m., in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Dieter, Pfeifer, Puzzello, Varner, Kuspa, White and Rouse; Don Fozo, Building Commissioner; Executive Director of the Department of Economic Development Sharon Kendall, Bernie Feeney, Rita Kopala, Tedd Schaffer, Anthony M. Zappia, Isabel Gonzalez, Michael Danch, Gary Fisk, Chris Kares, Director of Clinical Services for St. Joseph Medical Center; John Graney, Director of Marketing for St. Joseph Medical Center; Sandra McGregor, City Clerk John Voorde, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Kuspa noted that the Committee members include Council Members Kirsits, Dieter,Rouse, and himself. Council Member Kuspa stated that the first item on the agenda was to review Bill No. 5-10 which would approve a petition of the South Bend Board of Zoning Appeals for the property located in the 300 block of North St. Louis to permit St. Joseph Regional Medical Center for the construction and operation of a heliport landing pad facility in this"0" Office District. Don Fozo, Building Commissioner, reported that the Board of Zoning Appeals held a public hearing on January 20, 2005 and sends-the Bill to the full Council with a favorable 4-0 recommendation. Council Member Puzzello noted that there were no remonstrators at the Board of Zoning Appeals meeting. Anthony M. Zappia, the attorney for the petitioner, the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, made the presentation. He noted that the special exception is necessary to permit take offs and landings of a medical helicopter. There would be no maintenance or storage of the medical helicopter at this site. Mr. Zappia stated that there are 24 acute care hospitals; and of this number 16 have a heliport for a percentage of roughly 70%. Having a medical helicopter is becoming a necessary tool. They would abide by the "Fly Neighborly Program". The hospital has contacted all of the neighborhood groups in the area, as well as the staff and parents of children who attend the St. Joseph Grade School. Both the staff and the Board of Zoning Appeals have made favorable recommendations. As noted by the District Council Member for this area, Council Member Ann Puzzello, there was no remonstrance at the BZA meeting. Mr. Zappia then introduced Michael Danch of Danch,Hamer&Associates, Gary Fisk of DLZ, Chris Kares, Director of Clinical Services for St. Joseph Medical Center; John Graney, Director of Marketing for St. Joseph Medical Center who would be here this evening along with the pilot to address any questions which the Council may have. Mike Danch then provided a site plan to the Committee (copy attached). He noted that DLZ worked with the FAA to identify the location with the site selected to have the fewest number of February 14,2005 Zoning and Annexation Committee of the 2005 South Bend Common Council -page 1-