Amending Chaper 40 627 W. Washington St

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EXCERPTS FROM THE MINUTES OF THE AREA PLAN COMMISSION. MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 1971 3. A proposed ordinance and site development plan of Venture Properties, Inc., an Indiana corporation, to rezone from "B" Residential Use and "B" Beight and Area District to "C -1" Commercial Use and "C" Height and Area District property located at 627 West Washington Street, South Bend. The proposed usage is for an antique and gift shop. Mr. James Krol who lives at 21855 Bellkay Drive in South Bend said he is secretary of the corporation and stated that there are two buildings on this property - -thema in building which is used for 10 apartments, and a carriage house with an apartment above it. It is the carriage house that we wish to have rezoned for an antique_ and gift shop. The historical background of this area will be main- tained. At the present time there is space for parking of four cars, but we will have an additional 10 spaces for parking. He said that they feel this rezoning will benefit the area. We will maintain the historical value of the property and hope to pzovice an incentive for others in the meighborhood to maintain the historical aspect of their homes as well. We will not alter the outside of the buildings at all. There will be no neon signs. We plan to have only a small 2 x 3 sign hanging on a post. Mr. Miles noted that the petition, as it now stands, is for the entire lot and asked if they had other plans for the apartments. Mr. Krol stated that possibly the other building could be turned into the same type of business. To answer a question of one of the commissioners, Mr. Weisman said that as long as the entire lot has been described in this petition and proposed ordinance, and as long as there is no change in the site plan, he could foresee a problem if the petitioner attempted, at a later date to change the usage only without making any structural changes or alterations to the buildings so long as the future proposed use is a permitted use under the ordinance. He further stated that it would not be like coming in with more buildings. Steven Stavron, a practicing attorney in South Bend, said he lives several houses west of this property in question. He stated that "we [the neighbors] appreciate the petitioner's interest in having this rezoned to "C -1" Commercial. Our taxes are excessive; half the street is used commercially anyway. We would not have any objection whatsoever. It would be my recommendation that this is the best way to keep this street up to allow rezoning so that the city can get more tax dollars and still not change the historic value of these old houses." There were no remonstrators. Mr. Carpenter advised the Commissioners that Southhold has re- quested help from the staff in regard to the zoning of this area.