09-08-03 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 8, 2003 Councilmember Kuspa made a motion to amend the title of this bill by adding the word "West" between 608 and Calvert. Councilmember Varner seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes. Mr. Jeff Myers presented the Area Plan Commission report. Mr. Myers advised that the Petitioner is requesting a zone change from "D" Light Industrial, "A" Height and Area to `B" Residential, `B" Height and Area to rent out the present three (3) apartment units and convert the front space to a fourth apartment unit. The property contains a vacant building which has previously been used as a mix use of commercial and residential. Located to the north are single family homes and a mixed use building zoned "A" Residential, "A" Height and Area. Located to the south and east are single family homes zoned "A" Residential, "A" Height and Area. To the west are single family homes and a commercial building zoned "D" Light Industrial, "A" Height and Area. Access to the site is from Calvert Street. Water and sewer are available to the site. The drainage has not been addressed by the Petitioner. The total site to be rezoned is four thousand eight hundred (4,800) square feet. Of that, the buildings will occupy 35.5 per cent of the site. Parking and drives will occupy 64.5 per cent of the site. There is no open space. A check of the Agency's maps indicates that no public wells, wetlands, flood or environmental hazard areas are present. The site plan is preliminary. The City Engineer advised that a drainage plan is required at the final site plan stage. Also, the roof drains will need to be disconnected from the combined sewer. The Area Plan Commission, based on its Public Hearing held on August 19, 2003, sent this Petition to the Council with a favorable recommendation subject to a final site development plan. This proposed use is significantly less intense than what is allowed under the current zoning of "D" Light Industrial. Furthermore, this building is abandoned and in disrepair. This petition will hopefully improve a negative aspect of the community. Mr. Keith Kurowski, 13 8 01 Green Meadow Court, Granger, Indiana, made the presentation for this bill. Mr. Kurowski advised that he is the current owner of this property and it is his intention to rezone it from "D" Light Industrial to "A" Residential in order to use it as a rental property. He stated that it will revitalize this street and serve a purpose by offering housing to the people in this area. The property has been vacant for the last one and one half (1 %2) years and needs a lot of work on which he has already started. 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 of or in opposition to this bill, Councilmember Varner made a motion for favorable recommendation to full Council concerning this bill as substituted and amended. Councilmember Pfeifer seconded the motion. Councilmember Kuspa noted that it is nice to see an empty building or buildings that have not been used for years being put back into service and this will be a very nice asset to the neighborhood and he supports this effort. The motion carried by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes.