09-10-01 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 10, 2001 Mr. Bart Churchward, 259 Cross Creek Way, Columbia City, Indiana, made the presentation for this bill. Mr. Churchward advised that Bart's Car Store is currently a chain of seven (7) car lots and they would like to add an eighth at the proposed location. They currently sell between three hundred (300) and four hundred (400) units a month specializing in two (2) year old vehicles for half price. He noted that they are a well run company that is six (6) years old and he outlined several of the awards that they have received. Mr. Churchward further noted that the zoning is actually staying the same but it is the usage that is in question with the proposed usage more advantageous to the City. Use of this property for a car lot rather than a restaurant will result in less traffic in and out of the property and less sewage uses. He further noted that they have already begun beautifying the property and it is hoped that the City will be proud of them as a south side business. 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 was no one present wishing to speak to the Council either in favor of or in opposition to this bill. Councilmember Varner inquired the nature of the minor repairs that will be conducted on the site. Mr. Churchward stated that all repairs will be done inside a building and will consist of very light reconditioning, including fixing power windows and brakes. Councilmember Coleman made a motion for favorable recommendation to full Council concerning this bill as substituted. Councilmember White seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of six (6) ayes. BILL NO. 60 -01 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3915 PORTAGE ROAD IN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA Councilmember White reported that the Zoning & Annexation Committee met on this bill and sends it to the Council with a favorable recommendation. Mr. Jeff Myers, Staff Planner, Area Plan Commission, Room 1140 County -City Building, South Bend, Indiana, presented the report from the Commission. Mr. Myers advised that the petitioners are requesting a zone change from "A" Residential, "A" Height and Area to "C" Commercial, "A" Height and Area to allow retail uses, a financial use, and a restaurant with a drive -thru. The property is currently vacant land. Located to the north are single family homes in the County zoned "R" Residential; to the east across Portage Road is a single - family home and a vacant residential structure in the County zoned "R" Residential and multi - family dwelling units zoned `B" Residential, "A" Height and Area in the City; to the south are commercial businesses zoned "C" Commercial; and to the west are industrial businesses zoned "D" Light Industrial, "A" Height and Area. Access to the site is from Portage Road. Water and sewer will be available to the site. The drainage has not been addressed by the petitioner. The total site to be rezoned is 8.71 acres. Of that, the buildings will occupy fifteen per cent (15 %) of the site, the parking and drives will occupy sixty per cent (60 %) of the site and twenty -five per cent (25 %) of the site will remain as open space. A check of the Agency's maps indicates that no public wells, flood hazards, wetlands or environmental hazard areas are present. The site plan is preliminary. The City Engineer has commented that the acceleration lane shall be extended to meet the widened road section to the south. Providing a warrant analysis of a passing blister for northbound traffic and for the signal is also desired. The City Engineer will also require a drainage plan at the final site plan stage. 3