11-25-74 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 25 1974 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) a buffer zone would be provided of 100 feet and would be left as "A" Residential property and adequately screened. He felt the residents would be in a much better position with the buffer zon than with the construction of additional houses in the area in question. He indicated that a meeting had been held by Councilman Serge at which time 30 residents had appeared and taken a vote the result being that 17 of the residents were in favor of the rezoning out of 28 residents who had voted. He stated that he hoped the Council would act favorably on the proposed ordinance being considered. Councilman Parent made a motion to amend the ordinance to exclude a 100 -foot buffer zone to the north, with that buffer zone to remain "A" Residential, seconded by Councilman Taylor. The motion carried. Mr. Albert DeRoo, 2502 Summit Ridge Drive, talked about I & M's proposed rate increase and the increase in valuation the city would receive from the new complex. He felt that his privacy was being invaded upon, and he stated that construction of the new facility would take approximately 22 years and this would cause a problem to the residents. Mr. Eber Smith, 2727 Tomahawk Trail, stated that he did not abut the property in question and he was not within 300 feet of the property. He thanked the Council for delaying the issue so that further consideration could be given to the issue. He stated that approximately $5,500,000 would be spent on the project. He talked about the panorama of homes in the area and the amount of valuation to be brought to the city. He stated that, with a 9% escalation, the amount would be $5,275,600 for 121 homes in the area. He could not see that much difference in valuation. He also could not understand why I & M had not taken their business to the Airport Industrial Park. He felt there was an economic factor that was very important to I & M. He stated that I & M had indicated it wished to remain in the city limits. He felt something could be worked out with the city regarding this matter, perhaps annexing farm land which could be utilized for the facility. He stated that construction of homes in the area was done by Hartman and it had been indicated to the residents that additiona homes would be constructed in the area in question. He indicated that now, Hartman Builders wanted to sell that property for other than residential uses. He talked about the possibility of Mr. DeRoo eventually selling out to I & M and gradually the residential subdivision becoming more and more industrial or commercial. He wondered what would prevent I & M from changing their plans in the future and possibly constructing a road to tie into Tomahawk Trail through the property in an effort to ease traffic congestion, which he felt sure there would be. He stated that, once the Council passes the ordinance, there was no right of appeal left to the property owners. Mr. Robert Gordon, 2701 Oak Leaf Cove, stated that his property did not abut the property in question. He stated that the area I & M desired to rezone was a populated area of wildlife. He indicated that, if the Council would guarantee his taxes would be reduced accordingly because of the construction of the facility and decrease in valuation, he would not object to the rezoning. Mr. Seall assured Mr. Eber and the other residents that Tomahawk Trail would be blocked off and would not be used as a roadway into the facility in the future. Also, the area would be further pro- tected by the 100 -foot buffer zone which was proposed. He felt that, in view of the industrial uses surrounding the real estate, it was obvious that the area would not be devoted to single -fami uses. He indicated that I & M had investigated other sites for the facility and sufficient acreag could not be obtained in the Industrial Park, which was one of the sites considered. He indicated'. that the area in question had been determined to be the best location for the facility. He stated that the usage had been cut more than 10% with the proposed buffer zone. He again stated that he hoped the Council would act favorably on the rezoning. Mr. DeRoo briefly talked about the traffic problem resulting from the Corpus Christi School and Church, and he felt traffic would become more congested if the I & M facility was constructed in the area. He felt Highland Estates was no plac for industry. Councilman Szymkowiak made a motion that the ordinance be recommended favorably to the Common Council, as amended, seconded by Councilman Miller. Chairman Newburn requested a roll call vote on the motion. The motion carried by a roll call vote of six ayes (Councilmen Szymkowiak, Miller, Kopczynski, Horvath, Newburn and Nemeth) and three nays (Councilmen Serge, Parent and Taylor). ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 6 -6 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AS AMENDED. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance (this ordinance being continued from the November 12th, 1974 meeting), proponents and opponents were given an opportunit to be heard. Mr. Kevin Butler, Attorney for the Department of Redevelopment, briefly explained that the property in question was known as Block No. 6 in the downtown area. It was contemplated that the land be sold and, in order to make the property marketable, it was recommended it be taken from the requirements of Fire District No. 1 because that district was designed for highly congested commercial and industrial areas. There were no comments or questions. Councilman Miller made a motion that the ordinance be recommended favorably to the Common Council, seconded by Councilman Taylor. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE TRANSFERRING $1,488.02 FROM THE PARK DISTRICT BOND CONSTRUCTION FUND TO THE PARK DISTRICT BOND REDEMPTION FUND. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Robert Niezgodski, Superintendent of Busines of the Park Department, made the presentation for the ordinance. He explained that all construc- tion and miscellaneous costs on the erection of the King Recreation Center have been paid, and a balance of $1,488.02 remained in the Bond Construction Fund. He stated that no more disbursements on the bond issue were anticipated. He indicated that the total monies in the bond account were $615,793.42 with disbursements of $614,305.40. There were no comments or questions. Councilman Serge made a motion that the ordinance be recommended favorably to the Common Council, seconded by Councilman Szymkowiak. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING THE SUM OF $5,800.00 TO ACCOUNT NO. 241.0, "PRINTING, OTHER THAN OFFICE SUPPLIES ", AND THE SUM (continued) y