02-11-13 Common Council Meeting Minutes

Home Browse Search

REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 11, 2013 Governments as of January 2, 2013, South Bend has the top rating among Second Class Cities in the State of Indiana. He stated that S&P’s has explained the key factors in South Bend’s strong credit rating: “Diverse local economy and position as a regional center; very strong financial operations; moderate overall debt burden; The University of Notre Dame and two major healthcare systems anchor the area economy.” Mayor Buttigieg stated that on January 31, 2013, the City of South Bend was notified that it had been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its comprehensive annual report (CAFR.) The Department of Administration and Finance, headed by City Controller Mark Neal, won the award, and a Certificate of Achievement plaque was given to Deputy City Controller John Murphy. (A copy of the power point presentation is on File in the Office of the City Clerk.) REPORTS OF CITY OFFICES RESOLVE INTO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE At 7:43 p.m. Councilmember Scott made a motion to resolve into the Committee of the Whole. Councilmember Varner seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. Councilmember White, Chairperson, presiding. Councilmember White, explained the procedures to be followed for tonight’s meeting in accordance with Article 1, Section 2-11 of the South Bend Municipal Code. Councilmember White stated that a brochure may be found on the railing in the Council Chambers explaining those procedures. PUBLIC HEARINGS BILL NO. 63-12A PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1017 WEST INDIANA AVENUE, 1527 KEMBLE STREET, 1531 KEMBLE STREET AND THE VACANT PROPERTY SOUTH OF AND ADJACENT TO 1531 KEMBLE STREET, SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, 46614, COUNCILMANIC DISTRICT NO. 6 IN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA Councilmember Dr. Fred Ferlic, Chairperson, Zoning & Annexation Committee, reported that this Committee met this afternoon and it was the consensus of the Committee to send this bill to the full Council with an favorable recommendation, subject to the written commitments on file in the Office of the City Clerk. th Ms. Christa Nayder, Staff Member, Area Plan Commission, 11 Floor County-City Building, South Bend, Indiana, residing at 1805 Hickory Road, South Bend, Indiana, presented the report from the Area Plan Commission. Ms. Nayder advised that the petitioner is requesting a zone change from MU Mixed Use District to LI Light Industrial District to allow a manufacturing facility and 11 variances from the development standards. On site is an existing business. To the North is vacant land zoned SF2Single Family and Two Family District. To the east, across Kemble, is a small business zoned MU Mixed Use District. To the south is an apartment building zoned MF1 Urban Corridor Multifamily District. To the west is a business zoned MF1 Urban Corridor Multifamily District. The LI Light Industrial District is established to provide for development of office/warehouse, warehouse/distribution, wholesale, assembly and manufacturing or processing facilities which are clean, quiet, free of hazardous or objectionable elements such as noise odor, dust, smoke, or facilities, and may require limited amounts of outdoor storage. The LI District is also intended to function as a transitional district between the more intense general industrial districts and other less intense districts. The total area is just over half an acre. The existing 2