03-13-00 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING MARCH 13, 2000 Mr. Byomi further advised that the property contains a vacant commercial building. Access to the site is from Indiana Avenue and Kemble Street. The total site to be rezoned is five thousand four hundred thirty -one (5,431) square feet. The building will occupy sixty -two per cent (62 %) of the site, parking and drives will occupy thirty -six per cent (36 %) of the site and two per cent (2 %) of the site will remain as open space. Mr. Byomi additionally advised that based on information available prior to the Area Plan Commission Public Hearing, the Area Plan staff recommends that this petition be sent to the Council with a favorable recommendation subject to a final site plan. The building is currently vacant. The existing zoning would allow uses that would be more intrusive on the residential area to the south. The Area Plan Commission, at their Public Hearing held on February 15, 2000, sent this petition to the Council with a favorable recommendation. During his presentation, Mr. Byomi showed slides of the property, a map of the petition area and the site plan. Mr. Terry Lang, Lang, Feeney & Associates, Inc., 715 South Michigan Street, South Bend, Indiana, made the presentation for this bill on behalf of Mr. Steve Ullery, Housing Development Corporation of St. Joseph County, 521 Eclipse Place, South Bend, Indiana. Mr. Lang informed the Council that sixty (60) to seventy (70) years ago this property was used as a neighborhood bank. Since that time the building has been used for a variety of commercial uses but most recently it has been vacant. Mr. Lang indicated that the Housing Development Corporation would like to divide the building into good size apartments. He noted that it has come to their attention that the resident to the south of this property has some concerns. He further noted that this property, as currently zoned, could be used for less desirable businesses and changing the zoning to residential multi - family use would have less of an impact on the neighborhood. Mr. Lang informed the Council that Mr. Ullery from Housing Development Corporation was present if they had any further questions. 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 Aranowski indicated that he is a Board member of the Housing Development Corporation. He also indicated that Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand has determined that there is no conflict of interest and he will therefore be voting on this matter. Additionally, Council President Pfeifer stated that she is also a Board member of the Housing Development Corporation and she has no personal gain by voting on this matter. As a point of clarification, Councilmember Varner inquired of Mr. Lang if he was correct in that this building was going to be converted into four (4) two (2) story apartments. Mr. Lang indicated that that was correct and also that the Housing Development Corporation would be shoveling the snow of the next door neighbor. Councilmember Coleman made a motion for favorable recommendation to full Council concerning this bill. Councilmember Kelly seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. BILL NO. 11 -00 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE AND ESTABLISHING AN HISTORIC LANDMARK FOR THE ANGELA BOULEVARD BRIDGE LOCATED ACROSS THE ST. JOSEPH RIVER AT ANGELA BOULEVARD, IN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA Councilmember White advised that the Petitioner has asked that this bill be continued until the April 10, 2000 meeting of the Council. Therefore, Councilmember Kelly made a motion to continue this bill until the April 10, 2000 meeting of the Council. Councilmember Varner seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes.