11-11-13 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 11,2013 Councilmember White stated that a brochure may be found on the railing in the Council Chambers explaining those procedures. PUBLIC HEARINGS BILL NO. 48-13 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1906 FRANKLIN ST. SOUTH BEND, IN 46614, COUNCILMANIC DISTRICT 6, IN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA Councilmember Dr. Fred Ferlic, Chairperson, Zoning&Annexation Committee,reported that this committee held a Public Hearing on this bill this afternoon and sends it to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. Ms. Angela Smith, Staff Planner, Area Plan Commission, 11th Floor County-City Building, 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana, presented the report from the Commission. Ms. Smith advised that the petitioner is requesting a zone change from LI Light Industrial District to SF2 Single Family& Two Family District to allow uses permitted in the SF2 Single Family&Two Family District. On site is a vacant commercial building zoned LI Light Industrial District. To the north across Calvert Street is an industrial building zoned GI General Industrial District. To the east across the alley is a commercial building zoned SF2Single Family&Two Family District. To the south is an industrial building zoned LI Light Industrial District. To the west across Franklin Street is a single family home zoned SF2 Single Family and Two Family District. The SF2 District is established to protect, promote and maintain the development of single family dwellings and two family dwellings in the urban core of the City of South Bend as well as to provide for limited public and institutional uses that are compatible with an urban residential neighborhood. The availability of public facilities (e.g. public water,public sanitary sewer, storm sewer, natural gas, electricity, telephone, etc.) is required for development within this district. No site plan is required for a rezoning to SF2 Single Family& Two Family District. The site has been zoned industrial since 1951, our earliest record of zoning in the City. The property to the west across Franklin Street was rezoned from industrial to single family residential in 1999. Calvert Street and Franklin Street are two-lane streets. The site is served by municipal water and sewer. The City Engineer had no comment. Community Investment provides a favorable recommendation for the rezoning, noting that the rezoning will support the re-use of the property and blend in to the surrounding residential properties to the east and west zoned SF2.There are no commitments proposed by the petitioner. Criteria to be considered in reviewing the rezoning request was City Plan, South Bend's Comprehensive Plan, Objective ED 1.2 to Encourage reuse of abandoned and underutilized land and structures. The Future Land Use Map identifies this area as Light Industrial. The block between Lafayette and Franklin Streets serve as a transitional area between the single family residential to the west and the industrial uses to the east. There is a mix of varying sizes of industrial buildings and traditional single family homes. The most desirable use of land is for uses compatible with the surrounding residential properties. The value of the surrounding properties should not be adversely affected. It is responsible development and growth to encourage the adaptive reuse of vacant buildings. Rezoning to a residential use may impact the adjacent industrial properties if they modify their sites in the future. Additional screening may be needed as part of a residential buffer yard. However,the effect would be minimal or could be relieved through variance requests. Based on information available prior to the public hearing the staff recommends this petition be sent to the Common Council with a favorable recommendation. There is a mix of industrial and residential uses in this area. Rezoning the property to single family will allow for the adaptive reuse of the building and strengthen the surrounding residential area. Mr. Rami Sadek, 19543 Darden Road, South Bend, Indiana, owner,made the presentation for this bill.