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Staff Report <br />2/5/2016 <br />State statutes and the South Bend Zoning Ordinance require that certain standards must be <br />met before a variance can be approved. <br />(1) The approval will not be injurious to the public health, safety, morals, and general <br />welfare of the community. <br />- Public safety will not be impacted by the location of the fence within the established <br />setbacks, since it will still be outside of all clear sight triangles. <br />(2) The use and value of the area adjacent to the property included in the variance will not <br />be affected in a substantially adverse manner. <br />- Installing a vinyl fence to screen the concrete materials will improve the appearance of the <br />property from the street. If installed, landscaping along Lincolnway West will add to the <br />appearance and help protect surrounding property values. <br />(3) The strict application of the terms of the zoning ordinance will result in practical <br />difficulties in the use of the property. <br />-The strict application will limit this site's ability to continue functioning as a display and <br />storage area for concrete products. While the use requires industrial zoning, the setbacks <br />along Lincolnway are generally much less than required by code. <br />The staff notes that any material being stored on the property may not extend higher than <br />the lowest section of fence (4'). The staff would like to encourage the continuation of the <br />4'. fence along the western portion of the storage area to provide better screening. The staff <br />sees no practical difficulty which would limit the owner from installing perimeter trees <br />along Lincolnway West, as required by the ordinance, and therefore recommends against <br />that portion of variance 4. <br />Recommendation: <br />Based on information available prior to the public hearing, staff recommends that this <br />rezoning petition be sent to the Common Council with a favorable recommendation. <br />The staff recommends approval of the variances subject to installing the 4' fence along the <br />west side of the outdoor storage area and providing perimeter landscaping on Lincolnway <br />West. <br />Analysis: <br />This rezoning will allow for the extension of an existing business. The addition of the <br />fencing and a monument sign, along with the landscaping will increase the site's curb <br />appeal and enhance and support the City's efforts to improve the Lincolnway West <br />Corridor, a gateway into the city. <br />APC # 2773 -16 Page 3 of 3 <br />