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REGULAR MEETING APRIL 21, 1975
<br />COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED)
<br />the monthly rate would be $219; however, a similar development was being planned for the City of
<br />Mishawaka, and it was hoped the rental charge for Mishawaka and South Bend would drop to around
<br />$200 per month, and 435 units could be developed. He stated that a subsidy of $272,232 would be
<br />required with the development of his project. He felt it was conceivable to build his project and
<br />also the downtown high -rise complex in Block 6.
<br />Mrs. Irene Mutzl, 320 Parkovash, a member of the Fair Tax Association, asked Mr. Brademas for a
<br />definition of the word "elderly ". Mr. Brademas indicated that, based on the rules and regulations
<br />of the government, the age of the individual would be 62 and over, and handicapped persons would
<br />be considered in this category. In terms of the physical layout of the units, the units must be
<br />one -story or be contained in a high -rise complex. Also, the halls must be wide enough for wheel
<br />chairs, a signal device must be installed in each unit, and bars must be installed in all bathroom;
<br />Mrs. Mutzl wondered about a financial stipulation. Mr. Brademas indicated that the program was an
<br />"off shoot" from a previous program. The 236 Program provided a mortgage at a rate of 1 %. The
<br />difference was then passed on to the eligible tenants. Now, a new program entitled Section 8, was
<br />established which provided subsidy funds to subsidize the incomes of the eligible families. The
<br />elderly would pay 25% of their income or the figure could go as low as 15% towards meeting their
<br />housing needs. All costs with the exception of the telephone charges would be included. Mrs.
<br />Mutzl wondered if the project was only for low - income persons. Mr. Brademas stated that any family
<br />that could pay the full $200 monthly rental could be admitted and the amount of the supplement
<br />depended on the circumstances of the family. Mrs. Mutzl wondered how the figure was arrived at
<br />concerning the number of elderly in the community. Mr. Brademas indicated that, from his own
<br />experience, there was a long waiting list of elderly citizens looking for adequate housing. Ms.
<br />Marzy Bauer, Planner for the Community Development Department, indicated that the number of elderly
<br />families was derived from figures given by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, based c
<br />the 1970 census figures. Mrs. Mutzl wondered about the possibility of building more buildings in
<br />the future on the project sote. She stated that, as the project was planned at this time, only
<br />two acres of the land would be used for the buildings, and the total area was over 12 acres. Mr.
<br />Brademas stated that he could not deviate from the final site plan once it was approved unless he
<br />came back to the Area Plan Commission for approval. He indicated that for at least a 40 -year
<br />period, there could be no changes because of the mortgage requirements. Mrs. Jane Swan, 2022
<br />South Swygart Avenue, expressed concern with the Area Plan Commission staff report which she felt
<br />was not too favorable to the rezoning. She referred to the remarks made by Mr. Rollin Farrand,
<br />Director of the Department of Public Works, at the Area Plan Commission hearing. She indicated
<br />that the staff report raised the following points: the project had the potential to raise the
<br />traffic volumes for Linden Avenue; the density of the project was much higher than the existing
<br />single- family areas surrounding the project; Harbor Drive should not be dead ended at the project
<br />boundary, and if it was continued to Linden Avenue, it should be lined up and intersect with
<br />Bellewood Street or be offset by 125 feet; and finally, the northwest corner of the project had
<br />approximately 60 units served by only one access point. She also brought up the fact that the
<br />Lafayette School was in close proximity to the project. She wondered if the school children might
<br />create a problem for the elderly. Mr. Brademas indicated that the Area Plan Commission had
<br />recommended the project favorably to the Common Council with the following recommendations: that
<br />Harbor Drive be continued through the project as a public street; that it intersect with Linden
<br />Avenue at Bellewood Street or be offset a minimum of 125 feet from Bellewood; and that the north-
<br />west corner of the project have an additional access onto Clemens Street. He indicated that the
<br />recommendations had been agreed to; however, he wanted to give further consideration to the
<br />problem of additional access onto Clemens Street. Concerning the surrounding residential area, he
<br />felt the 12 -acre tract could stand on its own. He indicated that many multiple - family projects are
<br />bordered by single - family residential areas. Mrs. Swan wondered about the construction of the
<br />facility across the street from the Lafayette School. Mr. Brademas talked about integration of
<br />families and ages within developments. He felt that segregating the elderly facility was not a
<br />good idea. He indicated that those elderly who might object to the nearness of the school children
<br />could rent apartments at the rear of the facility. He felt the project could accommodate the wishe
<br />of the elderly. Mrs. Swan stated that 75% of the subsidized housing was west of Michigan Street,
<br />with the inclusion of the proposed project. She again talked about the problems she felt might be
<br />created in the area by the many school children. Mr. Brademas agreed that housing should be
<br />scattered throughout the city, and he would be willing to work on this project even though it was
<br />a difficult task. He indicated that the timing factor was important because of the building
<br />season, and he stated that this particular project had been referred to the Area Plan Commission
<br />in January and only now was the Council conducting its public hearing. Mr. Gene Evans, Executive
<br />Secretary of the Civic Planning Association, asked about the commitment of future funds that the
<br />city might want to use, and Mr. Brademas indicated that the Section 8 Program allocates funds for
<br />housing only. Mr. Evans wondered if the developer would be applying to the city for assistance for
<br />the renters who could not pay the full amount. Mr. Brademas indicated that the funds could be made
<br />available only for the benefit of the eligible tenants. Mr. James Holloway, 4410 West Western
<br />Avenue, asked who the developer of the project was, and Mr. Brademas indicated that he was. Mr.
<br />Holloway wondered if First Community Development Corporation would be the developer, and Mr. Bradem
<br />indicated that he was associated with the corporation but he would be the developer of the project.
<br />Mr. Holloway talked about the apartment complex he was living in called the Western Manor
<br />Apartments. He stated that this complex had been developed by First Community Development
<br />Corporation. He stated that this project was also subsidized and there were many problems with
<br />abandoned cars parked in the lots, etc. Mr. Brademas indicated that the Western Manor complex was
<br />unique because "he had had the guts to do something that no other developer would do ". He stated
<br />that he had been approached to lease units in the project to the local Housing Authority. He
<br />indicated that some of the low- income families were problem families, and he had had no control
<br />over the situation because it had been under the jurisdiction of the Housing Authority. He hoped
<br />that this summer, however, a major renovation could take place and some of the problems could be
<br />taken care of. Mr. Holloway pointed out that the proposed project on Linden and Clemens was also
<br />in the area of the Washington High School, in addition to the Lafayette Grade School. He stated
<br />that he had read an article in the South Bend'Tribune about the Western Manor Apartments going
<br />broke. He wondered if this was true. Mr. Brademas indicated that Mr. Holloway had not read that.
<br />Councilman Szymkowiak wondered about security for the complex. Mr. Brademas indicated that a fence
<br />and a screen planting was planned; however, a fence around the project was not proposed. He stated
<br />that each of the units would have an emergency buzzer system if assistance was needed by any of the
<br />tenants. Councilman Szymkowiak felt a fence around the entire project was needed for security
<br />purposes. He indicated that Mr. Brademas had previously told him that such a fence would be
<br />installed. He indicated that he had a witness to that conversation. Mr. Brademas indicated that,
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