02-24-03 Community & Economic Development

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(tont1t1tttt .port Qtontmunttjj anb. ( onumtt atiozlopitorat Commits t AMENDED The February 24, 2003 meeting of the Community and Economic Development Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Karl King at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Varner, Pfeifer, Coleman, Kirsits, Aranowski, King, Kuspa and White; Citizen Member Isabelle Gonzalez, Michael Beitzinger, Marco Mariani, Bruce Yerry, Ann Mannix, Andy Laurent, Terry Bland of the 'out Netts iGr tt=Ct' and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member King began the meeting noting the absence of Jon R.Hunt, Executive Director, and stating that "he will be missed a great deal..." Council Member King then called for a presentation on Bill No. 03-22 which is a ten(10) year real property tax abatement request for Rescue, Inc. and Hope Housing L.P. For the property located at 432 S. Lafayette Street. Michael Beitzinger, Assistant Director of Community and Economic Development, reviewed his report dated February 18, 2003 (copy attached). He noted that Rescue, Inc. is the owner of the property where the former Ries Furniture store was located. They plan to completely renovate the building so that it will become a new shelter for families and be known as the "Family Life Center". Part of the building will be leased to Hope Housing L.P. which will own thirty-four(34) units which will be dedicated to transitional housing. The limited partnership would then be entitled to receive funding through the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program. Real property taxes will be the responsibility of Hope Housing and the abatement will be on that portion of the building. The current assessed valuation of the real property is estimated to be$111,300;and after the rehabilitation the market value is estimated to be $5,300,000. The report concluded that the petitioner meets the qualifications for a ten (10) year real property tax abatement under § 2-77 of the South Bend Municipal Code addressing"Multi-Family Real Property Tax Abatement". Mr. Bruce W. Yerry, Executive Director of Hope Rescue Mission, then made a presentation and provided a 8-page handout to the Committee (copy attached). He noted that the Family Life Center will be separate from the men's center on Michigan Street. He then reviewed a series of preliminary floor plans prepared by The Troyer Group. Mr. Yerry stated that the present parking lot would become a garden and playground area with screening to the street on the west. There will be a small cafe on the first floor. The lower level will be the educational areas and will house the home management resources and the New Beginnings Program. The 2nd floor will have the transit living space with the north section dedicated to single women with families; the 3rd floor north will have living quarters for male head of households and the 3rd floor south will have housing for single women with children; and the 4th floor north will have housing for single women. Council President White inquired about the areas designated for smoking. Mr. Yerry noted that all areas will meet OSHA regulations. Council Member Kirsits inquired about sprinkling. Mr. Yerry stated that the facility would have sprinklers throughout with remodeling to begin in March 2003. Dr. Varner inquired about the not-for-profit status and the need for tax abatement. Ann Mannix