04-21-75 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING APRIL 21, 1975 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) if he had stated that, he had been referring to a screen planting of bushes and trees. Councilmar. Szymkowiak indicated that he would only vote in favor of the project if adequate security could be afforded to the residents, such as a fence around the property. He wondered about the yard work required, and asked if assistance would be provided for the elderly. Mr. Brademas indicated that he would be responsible for lawn upkeep, the plowing of gardens and removing snow. Councilman Kopczynski requested that Ms. Bauer of Community Development supply to him in writing, the housing needs of South Bend and what this information was based on. He asked that specifics be given such as composition of the family units, age of occupants, etc. He asked that the City Clerk send a letter requesting this information. Ms. Bauer indicated that the application approved at the last Council meeting concerning the housing proposal in the Community Development. Program contained the statistics Councilman Kopczynski was looking for. She indicated that she would supply that infor- mation. Councilman Kopczynski wondered if the building was fire - proofed. Mr. Brademas indicated that certain regulations were required concerning this, such as the installation of dry wall with a two -hour fire rating. Councilman Kopczynski wondered how much the project would impose on the inadequate fire protection provided in the area. He indicated that he had requested certain in- formation from the Fire Chief concerning the fire protection, and he had never received it. Mr. Brademas indicated that he could not comment on the fire protection offered by the city. Counciln Kopczynski indicated that the Fire Chief was not in attendance at the - meeting. He wondered if Mr. William Hojnacki, Director of the Department of Human Resources and Economic Development, could comment on his statement. Mr. Hojnacki indicated that the city had excellent fire protection on the west side. Councilman Kopczynski asked Mr. Hojnacki what he was basing his statement on. Mr. Hojnacki replied by stating that this was based on the studies done by the Fire Chief. Councilmar. Kopczynski again stated that he had requested this information of the Fire Chief and had never received it. He felt the administration should cooperate and furnish the studies that Mr. HojnacR had referred to. He asked the City Clerk to send a letter to Fire Chief Bland. Councilman Kopczynski indicated that he wanted to see the study in print as he was in the habit of getting everything in writing. He stated that he based his statements on facts that were printed, and he did not like opinions that were not based on facts as they only fooled the public. He stated that most of the top offices in the administration had changed at least once in the past three years, and he felt this was one of the reasons why it was so difficult to try and obtain the information he requested. He indicated that perhaps for this reason, approval of the rezoning project was taking so long as Mr. Brademas had indicated. Mr. Brademas indicated that he had been referring to the procedures regarding the zoning changes, and the amount of time needed to rezone any parti- cular piece of property. Council President Parent made a motion to amend the ordinance and accompanying site plan to inclu the condition that Harbor Drive be continued through the project as a public street and that Harbor Drive intersect with Linden Avenue at Bellewood Street. Councilman Horvath seconded the motion. Councilman Miller stated that any amendment to zoning ordinances would require a return to the Area Plan Commission. He indicated that this would cause still another delay on final approval of the rezoning. He stated that the city was lacking in adequate housing for the elderl and he felt there should be no more delays. Council President Parent felt that, because the Area Plan Commission had recommended Harbor Drive be continued and it intersect with Linden Avenue at Bellewood, there would be no reason to return the amended ordinance to the commission. He indicated that his motion merely contained the Area Plan Commission's recommendations. He expressed support of the project proposed by Mr. Brademas. Councilman Nemeth asked Mr. Brademas his thoughts concerning the proposed amendment. Mr. Brademas indicated that the recommendations of the Area Plan Commission were reasonable requests as farces the continuation of Harbor Drive and its intersection with Linden. Councilman Nemeth suggested that the City Attorney prepare the necessary wording of the amendment and perhaps the proposed amendment could be taken care of in the second reading portion of the meeting when the Council would take final action on the ordinan Councilman Szymkowiak recommended that the amendment include the construction of a fence for security reasons. He asked for such an amendment; however, there was no second. Councilman Tayl asked that the City Attorney clarify the question of whether or not the ordinance, if amended, ha to be returned to the Area Plan Commission. Mr. James Roemer, City Attorney, felt that, in view of the fact that the Area Plan Commission had recommended the changes, it would not be necessary refer the matter back to the commission. Councilman Serge indicated that he agreed with the City Attorney. Councilman Kopczynski wondered about the crime rate in the area and the need for the fencing as suggested by Councilman Szymkowiak. Mr. Michael Carrington, Public Safety Director, indicated that the area in question was not one of the highest areas of crime. Councilman Kopczynski stated that he felt the crime rate in that area was accelerating. There was a call fo the question by Council President Parent. The motion to amend the ordinance carried, with Counci Miller and Nemeth opposing. Councilman Miller wondered where the amendment would be inserted in the ordinance. Councilman Nemeth stated that he felt the zoning ordinance was very complicated, and he felt Councilman Miller had raised a good point. Council President Parent stated that the site plan was a part of the ordinance and could be amended, in his opinion. Councilman Nemeth felt the City Attorney should determine where the amendment should be incorporated into the ordinance. This was agreed to by the Council members. Councilman Taylor asked Mr. Rollin Farran Director of the Department of Public Works, to comment on his reasons for opposing the rezoning a the Area Plan Commission hearing. Mr. Farrand stated that he had some reservations as to a previ commitment for rezoning of that area, and he indicated that a housing plan had been approved by the Council and certain commitments had been made regarding subsidies. He felt he was merely being consistent with the proposal submitted by Mr. Hojnacki under the Community Development Program. Councilman Nemeth wondered if Mr. Brademas had received financing on the project as yet Mr. Brademas indicated that the financing had not been firmed up but he was confident of availabl financing. Councilman Miller stated that the $871,000 figure for the Community Development propo confused him. He asked for a clarification. He wondered where this figure had been set out in the program. Mr. Hojnacki explained that all of the funds had been applied for, and in the initi application, the city had included 400 units. Actually, the allocation showed 222 and 225 units had been requested. He indicated that this was a matter between the private developer and HUD. He explained that this would be a per year allocation. New units could be built each year based the allocation. Councilman Miller felt that Mr. Farrand had voted against the project at the Are Plan Commission hearing because the city was backing another housing development in South Bend. Mr. Hojnacki indicated that the city was not backing any particular housing development but that the area for immediate construction was proposed for the downtown area. He indicated that the administration was not opposed to the proposed plan of Mr. Brademas. Councilman Miller wondered if Mr. Brademas could build the project if only 50 units would be subsidized. Mr. Brademas indicated that he was building a community building and this would have to be broken up with two separate types of financing. This would make the project difficult in conjunction with the 6t 1 n