Bill No. 133-21 Amending the Zoning Ordinance for Property Located at 2430 Prairie Avenue

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Staff Report -PC#0077-21 January 18, 2022 Criteria for Decision Making Rezoning Per State Law, the Plan Commission and Common Council shall pay reasonable regard to: 1. Comprehensive Plan: Policy Plan: The petition with City Plan, South Bend Comprehensive Plan (2006), Objective LU 2.2 Pursue a mix of land uses along major corridors and other locations identified on the Future Land Use Map. By limiting the commercial to the northern 250', it is consistent with Objective LU2.4 Provide buffer spaces between non-compatible land uses . Land Use Plan: The future land use plan identifies this area as medium density residential. Plan Implementation/Other Plans: The neighborhood and City Planning Staff are in an ongoing planning process for the greater Rum Village Neighborhood. 2. Current Conditions and Character: The current character of the area is a mix of low-to medium density residential and small-scale commercial uses. 3. Most Desirable Use: The most desirable use for the land would be medium density residential or a development that focuses commercial uses on the far northern portion of the site while preserving the southern portion as a buffer between the higher intensity use and the low density, rural residential. 4. Conservation of Property Values: With proper buffering and limitation of commercial to the northern portion of the site, the proposed development should not have a significant impact on surrounding property values .. Prairie is a heavily traveled corridor with a mix of uses. 5. Responsible Development and Growth: It is responsible development and growth to allow for the limited commercial development close to a major thoroughfare with a medium density residential use to the south as a buffer to the rural residential in the area. Analysis & Recommendation Commitments: There are no commitment proposed at this time. Analysis: Prairie Avenue has a history of small scale commercial throughout the corridor . The neighborhood, in its most recent planning process, in the fall of 2021 has indicated a desire for commercial uses that are compatible with the surrounding neighborhood without negatively impacting property values. Limiting commercial development to the area immediately adjacent to Prairie with medium density residential in the southern portion would help protect the residential character of the area. Recommendation: Based on information available prior to the public hearing, the staff recommends the Plan Commission send the amended rezoning petition to the Common Council with an favorable recommendation, subject to the following: 1) limiting the commercial space to the northern 250'; 2) no commercial access to Locust; and 3) a subdivision to separate the two differently zoned portions. SOUTH BEND PLAN COMMISSION Page 4 of 4