06-09-03 Community & Economic Development

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.tommittge tont tommunity ant( &Guitar aotionittnt (tommitti The June 9, 2003, meeting of the Community and Economic Development Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Karl King at 4:04 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Aranowski, Coleman, Kelly, Kuspa, Varner, Kirsits, Pfeifer, White and King; Building Commissioner Don Fozo, Don Inks, Jeff Myers, Gerald Zack, Mark Van Lue, Bernard Feeney, Michael Beitzinger, Terry Bland of the §oUtb n7 tribun* and Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Council Member King noted that the Committee consisted of Council Members Kuspa, Varner, Kelly and himself as Chairperson. Council Member King called for a presentation on Bill No. 42-03 which would establish a new capital fund to be known as the South Bend Redevelopment District Allocation Area Capital Fund (Fun it 428). Donald E. Inks, Director of the Division of Economic Development, made the presentation. Mr. Inks noted that the proposed ordinance is related to the issuance of the tax increment finance bonds for the Airport Economic Development Area. They will cover the City's costs for road improvement projects and parts of the City's commitment to the Bosch project for building renovations. Council Member King added that the Bill would set up an account for the money which was already approved. No one spoke in favor or in opposition to the Bill. Following discussion, Council Member Kelly made a motion, seconded by Council Member Kuspa that Bill No. 42-03 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. The singing of"Happy Birthday"for Council Member Pfeifer then took place. Council Member King then called for a presentation on Bill No. 03-56 which is a five (5) year residential real property tax abatement request of Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County for the properties located at 2020 Kellwood, 318 N. O'Brien, 2021 S. Chapin, 729 N. Eddy, 2422, 2432, 2505 and 2509 W. Linden. Michael Beitzinger, Economic Development Specialist, then reviewed his report dated May 22, 2003 (copy attached). He noted that the petitioner plans to build eight (8) one-story homes for a total estimated value of $ 585,000, which should increase the value of the existing homes in the area. The report concluded that the petitioner meets the qualifications for a five-year residential tax abatement under § 2-77.1 addressing "Single Family Real Property Abatement"in the South Bend Municipal Code. Mr. Mark Van Lue of Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County noted that this would turn land that is current vacant into homes which will have an average value of$73,000 each. No one spoke in favor or in opposition to the Bill. Following discussion, Dr. Varner made a motion, seconded by Council Member Kelly that Bill