07-09-01 Zoning & Annexation - Laserfiche WebLink

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Zoning and Annexation Committee July 9, 2001 Page 2 Community Schools attended that meeting. No formal action was taken at that meeting with both the informal meeting and the committee meeting being informal in nature. Council Member White further noted that on July 3rd the South Bend Community School Corporation (SBCC) through Mr. John Strauss, Assistant Superintendent of Facilities filed a packet of information in response to the June 28th request for documents from her. She added that on July 3rd the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) through Karen R. Hammon-Nash, Assistant Director of the Commission filed a packet of information in response to the June 28th request for documents from her(copies attached). Mr. Oxian then made a formal presentation. He noted that he had filed at the July 5th committee meeting a letter requesting that a`Blue Ribbon Committee" be appointed and be given ninety (90) days to report back to the Council on this matter. Council Member White then asked for public comment in favor of Bill No.45-01. Janet Macjulski of the Riverpark Neighborhood Association spoke in favor of the proposed designation noting that she had visited the Battell Center in Mishawaka, that seven (7) developers had been contacted for proposals on the facility, that they had met with representatives of SBCC however since then there have been many changes such as a new School Superintendent and new School Board members who have changed direction. She concluded that there are no landmarks in Riverpark and that the Old Nuner School is worth saving despite it being vacant for the past two (2) years. Cindy L. Davis of the Riverpark Neighborhood Association and several other organizations spoke in favor of the landmark designation noting that a petition in favor of the project would be filed at the formal Council meeting. Dennis Whittacker, President of the Riverpark Neighborhood Association spoke in favor of the landmark designation and further voiced support for Mr. Oxian's suggested `Blue Ribbon Committee". He noted that it was consistent with the Neighborhood Plan which the City paid $ 25,000 for in 1995 which proposed the Old Nuner School as one of two buildings to be designated as historic; that the project has the support of the neighborhood; and that many individuals have signed the petition in favor of the project. He then circulated pictures of homes in the area which had signs in their front yards in favor of saving Old Nuner School. Todd Zeiger noted that officials of Historic Landmarks would be willing to bring their experience to the table in the effort to save this building. Gene Oakley stated that if the school does not have a use for the building and if no one else does then it should be torn down. He noted that the tear down costs were in the SBCC's bond issue in the amount of $ 350,000 with an additional $ 400,000 appropriation being added later. He concluded with stating that he would favor the`Blue Ribbon Committee"concept. Council Member White then asked for public comment in opposition to Bill No. 45-01. Mr. Bob Urlowski of SBCC noted that he was the Assistant Superintendent for Financial Services for the past week. He then read a statement prepared by Mr. Strauss who had to leave. It noted that in 1925, 1935, 1959 and 1964 upgrades were made to the Old Nuner School by SBCC which