04-26-04 Zoning & Annexation - Laserfiche WebLink

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f } Zoning and Annexation Committee Committee Report The April 26,2004 meeting of the Zoning and Annexation Committee was called to order by its Chairperson,Council Member Ervin Kuspa at 3:20 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Dieter,Kelly,Puzzello,Varner,Kuspa, White, Coleman and Kirsits; City Clerk John Voorde,Police Chief Thomas Fautz,Building Commissioner Don Fozo, Planner Jeff Myers,Rita Kopola,Cecilia Lucero, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand,Council Attorney. Council Member Kuspa noted that the Committee Members include Council Members Puzzello,Kelly,Coleman and himself. Council Member Kuspa then called for a presentation on Substitute Bill No. 3-04 which is a zoning request for the property located at 234 Tonti Street. Jeff Myers, a Planner with Area Plan,noted that the Area Plan Commission held a public hearing on February 17, 2004 and sends Substitute Bill No. 3-04 to the Council with an unfavorable recommendation. He noted that the North Shore Triangle Neighborhood organization spoke in opposition to the proposed rezoning. Council Member Kuspa noted that the petitioner for Substitute Bill No. 3-04 Tim Hughes was not present. He further noted that at the last committee meeting,Mr, Hughes specifically requested that his Bill be continued until today. Dr. Varner recalled that Mr. Hughes was requesting the rezoning so that he could refinance the property in question. Council Member Kirsits stated that he had been advised that the property taxes on the subject property had doubled.. Council Member Coleman noted that he would not support the proposed rezoning, noting that once the new zoning ordinance takes effect that he could file for a special exception. Mr. Myers stated that the new zoning ordinance will become effective on May 7th. Building Commissioner Don Fozo stated that Mr. Hughes has never submitted information to prove that the subject property was a legal non-conforming use,and if he would do that he could receive a rebuild letter. Council Member Kuspa opened the hearing to the public. No one spoke in favor of the Substitute Bill. Cecilia Lucero of 133 Wakewa Avenue, South Bend,Indiana spoke in opposition to the proposed rezoning and provided a copy of a petition signed by several neighbors against the rezoning(copy attached).