02-25-74 Council Meeting Minutes

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tttt- rrrrt-+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++-+- F+++++++++ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + ++ r., REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 25, 1974 Be it remembered that the Common Council of the City of South Bend met in the Council Chambers of the County -City Building on Monday, February 25, 1974, at 7:00 p.m., Council President Peter J. Nemeth presiding. The meeting was called to order and the Pledge to the Flag was given. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Councilmen Serge, Szymkowiak, Miller, Parent, Taylor, Kopczynski, Horvath, Newburn and Nemeth. ABSENT: None. Council President Nemeth indicated that a Girl Scout troop and its leader, Mrs. Priest, were present at the meeting. He asked that they stand and be recognized. Councilman Horvath made a motion to resolve into the Committee of the Whole, seconded by Councilman Taylor. The motion carried. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING Be it remembered that the Common Council of the City of South Bend met in the Committee of the Whole on Monday, February 25, 1974, at 7:04 p.m., with nine members present. Chairman Odell NdWburn presided. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - 1962, SECTION 40, AS AMENDED, AND GENERAL ORDINANCE NO. 4990 -68, AND THE ACCOMPANYING MAP THERETO, GENERALLY KNOWN AS THE SOUTH BEND ZONING ORDINANCE BY CHANGING THE ZONING OF CERTAIN LOTS AS HEREINAFTER SET FORTH (George and Osborne Streets). This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. William E. Voor, Jr., 300 First Bank Buildinc indicated that he was representing the petitioner, Mr. Roland Goheen, in the rezoning. He stated that the Area Plan Commission had recommended the ordinance unfavorably to the Council, and he could not understand this. He indicated that Mr. Goheen has owned the property for 14 or 15 years and has paid taxes on the property and would continue to do so. He referred to the overhead projel tor, indicating that the petition sought to erect a sign advertising the National Bank and Trust Company. He stated that he and the petitioner would be willing to go along with any limitations or restrictions that the Council might desire. Mrs. Glenda Ray Hernandez, 702 East South Street, Treasurer of the Southeast Side Neighborhood P.A.C., Inc., opposed the rezoning and hoped the Council would deny the request. She felt that changing the rezoning of various lots within an area would not have a beneficial effect on the neighborhood. She also felt the lots in question would not be compatible to other lots in the area. She stated that the lots have become overgrown with weeds and have collected trash. She felt that no consideration of the surrounding area had been given. Mr. Maurice Cohen, 725 East Eckman Street, asked about the location of the lots. Mr. Voor explained that the area was at the end of the Cooper Bridge on the north side of the road on the corner of George and Osborne Streets He referred to the overhead projector showing the area in question. Mr. Cohen asked if there were other billboards already situated in the area, and Mr. Voor indicated that there were. Councilman Kopczynski wondered in what vicinity the boarded houses were located. Mr. Joseph Baldoni, Vice President of the National Bank and Trust Company, indicated that there were boarded houses in the area, with the house on George Street having been boarded up for quite some time. He stated that the property abuts almost to the Sample Street bridge. Councilman Kopczynski wondered why the houses had been boarded up for so long. He asked this of Mrs. Hernandez, who stated that she did not know why. He stated that the lots in question were not being used for residential purposes because they were vacant. Councilman Parent indicated that the Area Plan Commission had recommend unfavorably because the area was essentially residential although some of the homes were dilapidat, Also, the area was not very prosperous and consideration should be given to the area as far as developing it. He indicated that he opposed the rezoning to allow the erection of the billboard. Councilman Serge asked if there were other billboards in the area, and Mr. Voor indicated there was a sign across the street, and Mr. Baldoni stated that there were two signs in the vicinity. Councilman Miller wondered why the whole area was to be rezoned commercial. Mr. Voor stated that the petitioner was only rezoning the lot where the sign would be erected. Councilman Miller indicated that the legal description referred to Lots 13 and 14 in the 3rd Addition and Lots 14 and 15 in the 2nd Addition. He wondered on what lot the sign would be erected. Mr. Baldoni state, that the sign would be erected on Lot 13. Councilman Miller indicated that the map and legal description did not coincide. He was concerned about the neighborhood; however; he felt a bill- board would not hurt the area. He did express concern about rezoning all the lots to commercial. Councilman Miller made a motion that the following be added in Section 2 after the words "Common Council ":