09-10-73 Council Meeting Minutes

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COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) Section II, Item 1. Membership to read: a. Not later than 30 days after the effective date of this Ordinance, a non- partisan Historic Preservation Commission of nine (9) members shall be appointed, all of whom shall be interested and knowledgeable in historic .preservation in the local area. The membership shall be appointed as follows: The Mayor and the Common Council of the City of South Bend and the Council and Board of Commissioners of St. Joseph County shall each appoint two (2) at -large members, designating not more than one (1) member from any major political party and giving consideration to persons residing in areas having historic significance; and The eight (8) members appointed above shall in turn appoint the ninth member, who shall be an architectural historian. b. The members of the Historic Preservation Commission shall serve without compensation for terms of three (3) years, provided, however, that the initial appointments shall be made for staggered terms, as follows: The Mayor and the Common Council of the City of South Bend and the Council and the Board of Commissioners of St. Joseph County shall each make one (1) appointment for a term of one (1) year and one (1) appointment for a term of two (2) years; and The ninth member shall be appointed for a term of three years. C. If a vacancy occurs by resignation or otherwise, the unexpired term shall be filled within 30 days of such vacancy by the appropriate appointing body. Delete the word "architectural" as it relates to renderings on applications under Item 2. Powers and Duties, paragraph d (4). Delete the word "extreme" as it relates to hardship under Item 2. Powers and Duties, paragraph d (6). Also under Item 2, paragraph d (5), delete 90 days and insert 45 days. IlCouncilman Kopczynski seconded the motion. The motion carried. Councilman Parent indicated that, originally the ordinance had been written with the idea that the county would also pass a similar ordinance. He explained that this had been done, and that the amendments made to the ordinance merely made the Historic Preservation Commission a nine - member board rather than seven members. He indicated that the members would be appointed by the Mayor and Common Council, and the County Council and Board of Commissioners. He briefly outlined the powers the Historic Preservation Commission would have: (a) acquiring and accepting real estate, interests in real estate, personal property or monies for the purpose of historic preservation and the disposition thereof; (b) advising the Common Council and the Area Plan Commission concerning designation of historic landmarks and the preservation districts; (c) establishing standards for preservation of landmarks; (d) developing historic preservation plans and administering and implementing said plans; (e) promoting public interest; (f) advising and assisting the property owners concerning the historic landmarks. Councilman Parent concluded by indicating that the community was in need of such an ordinance, and he indicated that various persons and interest groups desired to comment on the subject. Mr. F. Jay Nimtz, 511 West Colfax Avenue, indicated that he was a member of the St. Paul's Methodi: Church at the corner of LaPorte and Colfax. He stated that the building was of great historical value and the church wished to preserve it and the surrounding area. He indicated that his office building was of historic value also and was in the same area. Mr. Nimtz stated that he also wantec to speak as President of Southhold Restorations, which group consisted of a membership of 1,000 persons with a great deal of interest in historic preservation. He felt there was an interest in the community on historic preservation, and he urged that the ordinance be passed by the Council. Professor Donald Sporleder, 511 West Colfax Avenue, indicated that South Bend was fortunate to have the resources given to it by the past generations. For that reason, he felt these resources shoulc be preserved. He indicated that the proposed ordinance before the Council would be the instrument which would enable the citizens to do that. He introduced Ruth Price, Vice President of Southhold Restorations, who presented slides to the Council regarding the Grand Rapids experience with his- toric preservation. She indicated that those persons in support of historic preservation were the individuals who believed strongly, the property owners who desired to have some control over the uses in their neighborhoods, and the city fathers who would endorse the program. Mrs. Price con- cluded by indicating that historic preservation allows change compatible to other structures and protects other older buildings and neighborhoods. She stated that, in Grand Rapids, it was a little early to see if the program had worked, but that all indications pointed to a success in that area. She urged passage of the ordinance. Mrs. Maurice Schwartz, 725 Park Avenue, indicated that she was President of the Park Avenue Neighborhood Association, and the group she represented desired to preserve South Bend's history. She also urged passage of the ordinance. Mr. Peter P. Bognar, 805 West Washington Street, indicated that he had lived in that area for over 50 years and, at one time, it had been an exclusive neighborhood. He stated that now the area was not so desirable, but it was hoped that, with the passage of the historic preservation ordinance, the neighborhood could again be a desirable place to live. He wanted to see the area preserved, and he asked that the Council act favorably on the ordinance. Mrs. Mary Rathburn, 1408 Woodlawn Boulevard, representing the Volunteers in Action of the Ladies of Notre Dame, urged passage of the ordinance in order to preserve buildings of historical and architectural merit. Mrs. Freda Noble, a member of Southhold Restorations, indicated that, sometimes the citizens are not aware of the historic value of an area until it is too late. She stated that the French Quarter in New Orleans had almost been demolished because of that. She indicated that the same thing was happening in Quebec. She was pleased that the citizens of South Bend realized the value of the historic buildings and the city's heritage. She expressed hope that the Council would pass. the ordinance.