05-27-75 Council Meeting Minutes

Home Browse Search

REGULAR MEETING MAY 27, 1975 REGULAR MEETING - RECONVENED (CONTINUED) it would not have an adverse affect on the existing housing stock. If anything, it was hoped the housing could be improved upon. Councilman Kopczynski wondered how the people were selected to be participants. Mr. Shea indicated that all the taxpayers were checked and tenant - homeowner surveys were random sampled. Councilman Kopczynski asked why the HAO had been so insistent in certain cases. Mr: Shea explained the procedure utilized. He stated that a letter was sent out to the prospective applicant. Then a contact was made. If there was a refusal, after a considerable period of time, another letter was sent out. He indicated that there were two personal contacts made. Councilman Kopczynski indicated that he felt he had been harrassed about participation in the program. Mr. Shea apologized for this. He stated that he would take Councilman Kopczynski's comments into consideration and would advise the interviewers accordingly. Council President Parent thanked Mr. Lennon and Mr. Shea and other representatives of Rand, the HAO and Westad for being in attendance. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Council President Parent indicated that a decision must be made by the Council on whether or not a change in the site plan of Nohl and Betty Lueneburg for a rezoning of the northwest corner of Ireland Road and Ironwood Drive would constitute a major change. He indicated that the Council ha previously approved the rezoning and that a change was proposed in the site plan. He asked Mr. Lueneburg to briefly explain the proposed change. Mr. Lueneburg indicated that he resided at 248 Village Drive. He stated that he was requesting a revision from four buildings to two buildings. He felt it was not a major change in that all the existing building codes and ordinances were satisfied. He indicated that the Council had approved the matter and there were no remonstrances at that time. He explained that the actual footage of the buildings was reduced by five percent. He stated that the Area Plan Commission staff found no objection to the new lay- out, and he felt there would be less congestion because of the new layout. He asked that, in order to allow construction as soon as possible, the Council render a decision concerning the site plan change. Mr. Richard Johnson, Executive Director of the Area Plan Commission, explained the position of the commission. He stated that the commission was aware that the proposed buildings would be reduced. He explained that, whenever a revised site plan changes the size or location of the buildings, the commission must make the decision that it is a substantial change. Councilman Horvath wondered when the first plan was brought before the Area Plan Commission. Mr. Johnson indicated that, on July 9, 1973, the Council rezoned the property subject to a final site plan. On April 16, 1974, a site plan was approved. On August 20, 1974, a minor change was made. Councilman Horvath wondered why there was a delay of a year since approval of the site plan. He felt the matter should go back to the Area Plan Commission. Mr. Lueneburg talked about the condition of the economy and the reason for the delay. He talked about the need to have purchaser and the raise in the interest rates. He indicated that a long -term negotiation was needed and prime construction time was in the spring. Councilman Taylor indicated that, because of another rezoning coming to the Council in the future concerning property in the immediate area, he had talked to some of the residents along Ireland Road to get their viewpoint. He felt there was no objection to the proposed rezoning or the rezoning approved by the Council of the Lueneburg property. He, therefore, made a motion to approve the new site plan and grant the appeal, seconde by Councilman Horvath. Council President Parent indicated that the Council was not approving the site plan but was merely rendering a decision on whether or not the change in the site plan was a minor change. He asked that the motion be reworded to reflect the Council's decision. He talked about the procedure utilized by the city and the Area Plan Commission concerning rezonings. He mentioned the change in site plans after the rezonings were approved. He stated that he under- stood Mr. Lueneburg's desire to move forward on the project; however, he hoped a precedence would not be set because the citizens had not had an opportunity to discuss the matter and be made aware of the change. He wondered if perhaps in the future, public notice should be given the citizens. Councilman Taylor withdrew his original motion, and Councilman Nemeth indicated that he felt the motion made by Councilman Taylor was correct. He made a motion to approve the revised final site development plan and grant the appeal of the petitioner, seconded by Councilman Kopczynski. The motion carried. NEW BUSINESS Council President Parent indicated that the Board of Public Works had passed a resolution regardi the sale of city -owned property located at 2315 Linden'Avenue. He stated that, if there was objection to the sale, the Council would have to notify the Board of Public Works. There was no objection on the part of the Council to the sale of the property. Appointments Councilman Newburn made a motion to appoint Dr. Daniel Winicur, 1802 Dorwood Drive, to the South Bend Bicentennial Committee, seconded by Councilman Kopczynski. The motion carried unanimously. Councilman Serge made a motion to appoint Ms. Kay Azar, 119 South Tuxedo, to the Foster Grandpare Program of REAL Services, Inc., seconded by Councilman Taylor. The motion carried unanimously. Councilman Kopczynski made a motion to re- appoint Ronald Radecki, 121 South St. Peter, to the Civic Center Authority, seconded by Councilman Miller. The motion carried unanimously. Councilman Newburn made a motion to appoint Dr. Edward J. Mayo to the South Bend Public Transportation Corporation Board of Directors, seconded by Councilman Serge. The motion carried unanimously. Councilman Taylor made a motion to appoint Manuel Garcia, 917 Harrison Avenue, to the South Bend Crime Commission, seconded by Councilman Horvath. The motion carried unanimously. Council President Parent indicated that the Council had further appointments to make, and he invited the citizens to submit names of those persons interested in serving on any of the boards and commissions. Councilman Serge indicated that he wanted to clarify the Delos House operation on Bartlett Street and its move to the new location on North Frances Street. He stated that he had been accused of neglecting his duties as chairman of the committee appointed to look into the possible purchase of a building for the drug program. He talked about the problems encountered since the program was started. He indicated that the issue had been made a "hot potato ". He talked about the purchase of the home on Frances Street because of the objection received with the program being o