02-09-09 Common Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 9, 2009 Mr. Spier advised that the petitioners are seeking to vacate the 14 foot wide alley being the first east-west alley lying south of Kalarama Street between Turnock Street and the first north-south alley east of North St. Louis Boulevard. This vacation would allow for the utilization of the north 7 feet of the vacated alley in order to develop two homes to the north. The additional 7 feet will give Weiss Homes the needed width for the construction of two homes. Mr. Spier noted that without the additional 7 feet, only one home could be constructed due to the current narrow lot widths. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. There was no one present wishing to speak to the Council in favor of this bill. The follow individual spoke in opposition to this bill. Ms. Delois Weymon, 720 N. St. Louis Boulevard, South Bend, Indiana, spoke in opposition to this bill. Ms. Weymon advised that she uses the alley in question everyday to get in and out from her garage and does not want to see that portion of the alley closed. Mr. Spier asked to have the bill continued until the February 23, 2009 meeting of the Council so that he can talk with Mrs. Weymon and discuss her concerns. Councilmember Varner made a motion to continue this bill until the February 23, 2009 meeting of the Council at the request of the petitioner. Councilmember Oliver Davis seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. BILL NO. 06-09 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, TO AMEND VARIOUS ARTICLES AND SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 6, OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE AND TO ADD SECTION 6-4.7 TIME LIMITATION ON PERMITS, AND SECTION 6- 26 LOW VOLTAGE CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION Councilmember Varner, Chairperson, Public Works & Property Vacation 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. Mr. Chuck Bulot, Building Commissioner, 125 S. Lafayette Boulevard, South Bend, Indiana, made the presentation for this bill. Mr. Bulot advised that on December 31, 1991, the City of South Bend and the County of St. Joseph entered into an agreement to merge their building departments; and further create the “Consolidated Building Board.” In 1993, by Ordinance No. 8412-93 subsection 1, the Board created the Building Department as an enterprise fund. Mr. Bulot noted that it has been determined that in order to adequately maintain the enterprise fund, a fee increase would be needed as set forth in this ordinance. In addition, advanced technology has created a need for regulations and inspections of low voltage installations as set forth in this ordinance. Further, the increasing demand for formal documentation of various zoning regulations and compliance has crated a need for fees related to processing of these documents. Mr. Bulot stated that all document fee increases are based on 2008 year-end average hourly overhead costs for one-hour and two-hour processing times. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. 7