02-13-14 Redevelopment Commission Minutes

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South Bend Redevelopment Commission Regular Meeting— February 13, 2014 6. NEW BUSINESS (CONT.) C. Airport Economic Development Area (3) continued... Ms. Schey asked whether the property is expected to be demolished. Mr. Relos responded that it would be cleared for development. Upon a motion by Ms. Schey, seconded by Mr. Inks and unanimously carried, the Commission approved Resolution No. 3206 related to acquisition of property in the Airport Economic Development Area (4) Resolution No. 3207 appointing members to the Ignition Park Architectural Review Board. Mr. Kain noted that the Common Council approved the Ignition Park PUD in December 2010. Among other things, the PUD required the establishment of the Ignition Park Architectural Review Board (ARB). The ARB consists of five members, four of which are appointed by the Commission and one by the Common Council. The four Commission appointees are the Director of Ignition Park, the Executive Director of Community Investment, and two citizen members, who may be employees of the City of South Bend. Resolution No. 3207 appoints two citizen members to the Ignition Park ARB: Eric Horvath, Director of Public Works and Doug Marsh, Vice President and University Architect for the University of Notre Dame du Lac. Staff requests approval. Ms. Schey asked if the ARB members set the standards for acceptable development for Ignition Park. Mr. Kain responded that there are design guidelines already in place for Ignition Park. The ARB reviews site plans, elevations, architectural materials, etc. to see that they conform to those guidelines. Ms. Schey asked which legislative body enforces those standards. Mr. Kain responded that they are guidelines, so the ARB is an advisory board. Mr. Varner noted that the city made a pretty heavy investment in the Data Realty building. He wondered if we expect to make similarly significant investment in future projects to assure that the design guidelines are met. Mr. Kain responded that staff does not expect the same financial investment in other projects. The guidelines are fairly general, so they allow for a variety of design options. The ARB can allow exceptions to those design guidelines. Mr. Varner noted that development has been slow to take off in Ignition Park. He wondered if that is because the design standards are too restrictive and projects are going elsewhere. Mr. Kain responded that the design guidelines are actually pretty general, only two pages long.