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REGULAR MEETING MAY 12, 1975
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<br />COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED)
<br />ORDINANCE (CONTINUED) ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA
<br />(CHAPTER 21, MUNICIPAL CODE) - south side of
<br />Ireland Road east of and contiguous to the
<br />Montgomery Ward and Scottsdale Mall property.
<br />This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and
<br />opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Joseph Roper, the attorney representing the
<br />petitioners, practicing at 316 First Bank Building, made the presentation for the ordinance. He
<br />explained that Place and Company and Tower Federal Savings and Loan Association were joint
<br />petitioners in the rezoning to "C -1" District and that, if approved, Tower Federal would construct
<br />a one -story building on the property to carry on the savings and loan association business. He
<br />referred to the overlay of the tract of land situated on Ireland Road immediately east of and
<br />contiguous to the Montgomery Ward and Scottsdale Mall property. He indicated that once before he
<br />had appeared on behalf of Place and Company and the area had been rezoned. At that time, a three -
<br />story building had been planned. Unfortunately, after the rezoning was approved the plans were
<br />changed and the building was never constructed. After one year, the zoning returned to the "C -2"
<br />District, in accordance with the zoning requirements. He stated that the Area Plan Commission had
<br />recommended the matter favorably to the Council. There were no comments or questions.
<br />Councilman Serge made a motion that the ordinance be recommended favorably to the Common Council,
<br />seconded by Councilman Taylor. The motion carried.
<br />ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 4990 -68,
<br />AS AMENDED, COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE ZONING
<br />ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA
<br />(CHAPTER 21, MUNICIPAL CODE) - 3501 West
<br />Washington Avenue.
<br />This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and
<br />opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Reginald Howard, 823 West Indiana Avenue,
<br />made the presentation for the ordinance. The petition of Wiley L. Hoover asked for a change in th
<br />Height and Area District from "A" to "C" in order that a four -story apartment complex could be
<br />constructed at the northwest corner of Falcon and Washington Streets. Mr. Howard indicated that
<br />the Area Plan Commission was of the opinion that one parking space should be provided per dwelling
<br />unit. He stated that 46 units were proposed and he was proposing to have 26 parking spaces. He
<br />maintained that, because this was a housing project for the elderly, one parking space per unit
<br />would not be needed. He did not feel that every resident would own an automobile and 26 parking
<br />spaces would suffice. He indicated that the Area Plan Commission had also expressed concern
<br />regarding the population density, and he indicated that 46 one - bedroom units would be occupied by
<br />no more than 50 people. He felt there would be no problem with the density even though this was
<br />a concern of the Area Plan Commission.
<br />Mrs. Lee Swan, 2022 South Swygart Avenue, wondered about the units surrounding the area. Mr. Ralp
<br />Stonebraker, Assistant Director of the Area Plan Commission, indicated that most of the property
<br />surrounding the proposed project was residential. Mrs. Swan wondered if any of the other units in
<br />the area were subsidized housing, and Mr. Howard indicated that there was an FHA project. Mrs.
<br />Swan wondered about the crime rate in the area. She talked about the needs of the elderly. She
<br />wondered if there would be elevators in the complex, and Mr. Howard indicated that there would be.
<br />Mrs. Swan stated that, even though all the residents might not own cars, there would be the need
<br />for parking for guests and visitors of the residents. She hoped the Council would not act
<br />favorably on the matter because she did not want to see the elderly project put in a high crime
<br />area and the proper facilities not available. Mr. Charles Howell, 1118 North Duey Street,
<br />recommended that the Council approve the project in an effort to provide better housing for the
<br />senior citizens. Councilman Kopczynski wondered if Mr. Howard was a housing consultant for the
<br />City of South Bend. Mr. Howard indicated that he was not at the present time. Councilman
<br />Kopczynski wondered if Mr. Howard had ever held a contract with the City of South Bend for a housi:
<br />consultant job, and Mr. Howard indicated that he had a contract with the city effective February l
<br />1975, to May 1, 1975. Councilman Kopczynski wondered about the total price of the contract, and
<br />Mr. Howard indicated that the amount to be paid him was $4,000 and some of the money was outstandii
<br />at this time. Councilman Kopczynski asked about what was included in the study made by Mr. Howard
<br />He asked if it was a formal written study. Mr. Howard indicated that it was a written study, and
<br />he had covered approximately 900 to 1,000 houses. Councilman Kopczynski stated that the Council
<br />had never received the results of the study. He expressed surprise that the administration would
<br />approve a contract in that amount of money and not inform the Council of its decision. He wondere
<br />if the proposed rezoning would be a conflict of interests as Mr. Howard had engaged in a contract
<br />with the City of South Bend. Mr. Howard felt there would not be a conflict of interests. He
<br />stated that all those persons involved in the housing project being proposed must be brought befor
<br />the Department of Housing and Urban Development. He indicated that, if HUD felt there was a con-
<br />flict of interests, the project would not be approved. Councilman Kopczynski wondered if a copy
<br />of Mr. Howard's contract with the city was available. Council President Parent asked for a point
<br />of order— He wondered if the Council was getting off the subject of the rezoning. Councilman
<br />Kopczynski wondered if there was anything in the study that would show the proposed project Mr.
<br />Howard was requesting. He felt that the Council should be totally informed about matters of these
<br />kinds. He recommended that the rezoning be sent to the Council unfavorably, seconded by Councilma
<br />Szymkowiak. Chairman Newburn indicated that he would not accept any motion until all the councilm
<br />had had an opportunity to speak on the issue. Council President Parent indicated that the issue
<br />before the Council was a rezoning to allow for a four -story building for the elderly. He wondered
<br />about the closest building in the area comparable in height to the proposed structure. Mr. Howard
<br />indicated that the LaSalle Park Center would be the closest building at approximately two stories.
<br />He stated that immediately to the north there was a two -story apartment complex. Council Presiden
<br />Parent felt there might be a problem with adequate parking. Mr. Howard stated that, in the past,
<br />this has not been a major problem with the older adults because of the economic situation and
<br />because many senior citizens do not drive cars. Councilman Taylor indicated that the Area Plan
<br />Commission had recommended the matter unfavorably to the Council. He asked someone from the Area
<br />Plan's staff to comment on the commission's recommendation. Mr. Stonebraker indicated that the
<br />Area Plan Commission was concerned with the density. Also, parking would be a problem and a three
<br />or four -story building would be totally out of scale with the other surrounding residential uses.
<br />He felt that the parcel of land would be over - utilized. Councilman Serge wondered about the renta
<br />of the units. He asked about viewing a proposed site plan for the project. Mr. Howard indicated
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