07-05-01 Zoning & Annexation - Laserfiche WebLink

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eommitte *port: Zoning an4 Stuvexation 4ommitte The July 5, 2001 meeting of the Zoning and Annexation Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Karen L. White at 12:04 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members: White,Kelly,Varner,and Pfeifer;Gerald Ujdak, John Strauss of the South Bend Community School Corporation, Kitty Gerschoffer, Janet Macjulski and Dennis Whittaker of the Riverpark Neighborhood Association, Karen R. Hammond-Nash, Assistant Director of the Historic Preservation Commission; John Oxian, Director of the Historic Preservation Commission, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member White noted that Dr. Varner and herself were members of the Committee. She then asked everyone to introduce themselves. Council Member White stated that the Committee meeting was called to permit members of the Historic Preservation Commission to share their concerns with regard to the "Old Nuner School". She noted that no formal action by the Committee would be taken today since another Committee meeting on this issue has been set for Monday, July 9th at 4 p.m. She further noted that she had an informal meeting on June 25th with representatives of the South Bend Community School Corporation. Mr. Udjak asked who was present at the informal meeting. The Council Attorney noted that Council Member White, Dr. Varner, Dr. Sheehan, Richard Hill, Ann Bruneel, B. Patrick Bauer and herself were present. The Council Attorney then was called upon to summarize the new state law (memorandum attached)and she noted that both the SBCC and HPC filed information with the City Clerk's Office pursuant to the written request from Council Member White(written request attached). Council Member White noted that the informal meeting with the SBCC representatives focused on their concerns with regard to the overall impact of interim protection; the impact that a landmark designation has on the planning process; the financial impact;and the lack of a mechanism in place to hear the concerns of the affected property owners. Dr. Varner added that he believes that the SBCC believes that the Council should have a more active role in the overall process. Mr. Oxian stated that in 1999 a meeting was held with officials from the SBCC and that an agreement was reached whereby there would be communication between the SBCC and the HPC and Council. He further noted that notification was to take place between the SBCC and HPC before any damage was done to a building or action to begin a tear down, which he believes has been totally disregarded. Mr. Oxian proposed that both Washington High School and Nuner School should be sent to a "Blue Ribbon Committee" for discussion and input from the community. He noted that in the i6outh ettb 3GribUUe article of May 17, 2001 the City of Mishawaka agreed to appoint a ten (10) member citizen committee to study the "Old Mary Phillips Elementary School" which would have ninety(90) days to review the status of the school,propose possible uses,develop time