31-25 Amending the Zoning Ordinance for Property Located at 314 West Chippewa Avenue

Home Browse Search

Staff Report-PC#0256-25 6/16/2025 Criteria for Decision Making • Rezoning Per State Law, the Plan Commission and Common Council shall pay reasonable regard to: 1. Comprehensive Plan: Policy Plan: The petition is consistent with the City Plan, South Bend Comprehensive Plan (2006), Objective H 1: Ensure that an adequate supply of housing is available to meet the needs, preferences, and financial capabilities of households now and in the future. Land Use Plan: The Future Land Use Map (2006) identifies this area for Commercial (Office & Retail). Plan Implementation/Other Plans: None. 2. Current Conditions and Character: The surrounding neighborhood is mostly light industrial and commercial uses. It is made up of mostly large single-story structures, parking lots, and vacant land. 3. Most Desirable Use: The most desirable use is an activation of the parcel that has been vacant for nearly 30 years, including multi-unit housing to support the Michigan Street Commercial Corridor. 4. Conservation of Property Values: Developing a new residential project on currently vacant land will contribute to the growth and value of the surrounding properties. 5. Responsible Development and Growth: It is responsible to allow multi-unit dwelling development along key transportation corridors that could activate vacant parcels. Variance(s) The petitioner is seeking the following variance(s): Article 21-03.02 (f) Building Height - 40' building height to 46' building height for the primary structure(s) State statutes and the Zoning Ordinance require that certain standards must be met before a variance can be approved. The standards and their justifications are as follows: (1)The approval will not be injurious to the public health, safety, morals and general welfare of the community. The approval will not be injurious to the public health safety, morals, and general welfare of the community. These will be apartments along a major transportation corridor. (2) The use and value of the area adjacent to the property included in the variance will not be affected in a substantially adverse manner. The use and value of the area adjacent to the property should not be affected in a substantially adverse manner. The adjacent properties are light industrial or commercial uses having a significant separation to their buildings. They should not experience substantial impacts to their use or value related to the construction and operation of apartments. (3) The strict application of the terms of this Chapter would result in practical difficulties in the use of the property. SOUTH BEND PLAN COMMISSION Page 4 of 5