02-11-13 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 11, 2013 building is just under 3,000 square feet, with an 1,800 square foot addition proposed. Buildings cover 20% of the site. There are three parking spaces south of the building. Access is from Kemble Street. Paving covers 7% of the site. The apartment building to the south was rezoned in 2000 from C to B to allow apartments. Indiana Avenue has two lanes with dedicate right turn lanes. Kemble Street has two lanes. The site is currently served by public utilities. Ms. Nayder noted that the Department of Community Investment offers a favorable recommendation on the rezoning. Some landscaping is recommended along the north and west property lines. In discussion with the City staff, it is envisioned that uses similar to Ignition Park uses will locate east of Kemble St. The future land use map identifies this corner as Mixed Use. The Rum Village Neighborhood Action Plan identities this area as a commercial opportunity. This area, located just to the southwest of Ignition Park, is a mix of uses, reflected by the zoning pattern. Many of the surrounding houses have been demolished in the past few years. The most desirable use is to support the expansion of the existing business. Since many surrounding properties are vacant, this rezoning should not affect property values. It is responsible development and growth to allow vacant, unused parcels to facilitate the expansion of an existing business. Ms. Nayder advised that the staff comments show this is a combined public hearing which includes a rezoning and eleven variances. The Commission will forward the rezoning to the Council with or without a recommendation, and either approve or deny the variances. Based on information available prior to the public hearing, the staff recommends that the petition be sent to the Common Council with a favorable recommendation and that all the variances be approved. This rezoning will facilitate the expansion of an existing business in an area under transition, an area which very well may see redevelopment activities that support the businesses that will locate in Ignition Park. Given the current location of the building and that the angles of the lot lines and road are not straight; development on this lot would be difficult without these variances. Even though property to the north and west is zoned residentially, this area is in transition, given the number of buildings demolished since the 2011 aerials were taken, and may not need to be buffered as if a house were present. Ms. Nayder advised that the Area Plan Commission held a public hearing on December 18, 2012 and send this bill to the Common Council with a favorable recommendation. Mr. Michael Danch, President, Danch, Harner & Associates, 1643 Commerce Drive, South Bend, Indiana, representing the property owner, the City of South Bend Department of Redevelopment and the contingent purchaser MM Vance, LLC., made the presentation for this bill. Mr. Danch advised that this requested rezoning would allow for the re-use of an existing industrial building. Mr. Danch stated that Phoenix Engineering, who presently has a manufacturing facility at the Kemble Street address, would like to expand by adding additional assembly/manufacturing space to their building. Mr. Danch noted that he provided written commitments to the Zoning and Annexation Committee this afternoon and are on file with the Office of the City Clerk. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. There being no one present wishing to speak to the Council either in favor or in opposition to this bill, Councilmember Dieter made a motion for favorable recommendation to full Council concerning this bill, subject to the written commitments as on file in the Office of the City Clerk. Councilmember Scott seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. RISE AND REPORT Councilmember Dieter made a motion to rise and report to full Council. Councilmember Scott seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. 3