Special Exception - 1425 Clayton Drive

Home Browse Search

Board of Zoning Appeals - .tune 21, 2007 the process of having the zoning clarified and then Chiara Home will purchase it from Mr. Nufer. That's why he's cun•ently the owner.. The Building Commissioner suggested that Chiara Home falls under the classif cation as a Special Exception as a group home. Chiara Home is not a group home as such. As that term is used in the South Bend Zoning Code. There is only one permanent resident and that is Sister Gretchen Clark who is the founder of the Chiara Home and who is the primary care giver. There are guests of Chiara Home that occasionally spend the night or weekend. Typically there are not more than 8 guests at Chiara Home at any given time and typically they are not overnight guests. But there on occasion guests for an overnight stay or for a weekend which requires us to be here for a Special Exception. I would suggest the Chiara Home is more like a day care that falls within an allowed use under the zoning code and does not require a Special Exception. A~day care in which the primary care giver lives within the facility. We have heard from one property owner who lives nearby who spoke with Brenda and had a member of questions and we understand he sent you a letter indicating that after he talked to her that he welcomes us with open arms. We have heard no other objections. This will be a great thing for Chiara Home. It certainly doesn't create any adverse affect. Our understanding is that this property had been for a number of years used as a group home as such with residents there, developmentally disabled residents there. Also our understanding is that this property has been vacant for about two years. It is unique in that the batlu•ooms are designed to be used by persons with disabilities. There is a handicap access ramp from the garage into the house and there is also a handicap ramp into the front door of the house. The hallways and doorways were built extra wide to accommodate people in wheelchairs. There are two first floor emergency exits. There is an interior fire sprinkler system . This house really couldn't be used as a private resident without a substantial renovation. It is on the other hand just what Chiara Home needs and wants and we would like your recommendation to the City Council favorably that this be approved as a Special Exception. And if there are any questions, we'll try and answer them. IN FAVOR There was no one present to speak in favor of this petition. MR. HOBAN: I have the letter here from Leone Halpin and signed by his counsel, Stanley Wnible and it states that he is in favor of the special petition. REMONSTRANCE There was no one present to speak in remonstrance of this petition. MR. HOBAN: Area Plan recommends that we send this to the council with a Favorable Recommendation. A motion to send the Special Exception to the Common Council with a Favorable Recommendation was made by Mr. Kilbase and seconded by Ms. Wilder-Hamilton. The motion carried unanimously. After hearing the evidence on the petition, the Board of Zoning Appeals find that you did satisfy the Standards as set forth in LC. 36-7-4-918.5; therefore, the petition was sent to the Common Council with a Favorable Recommendation.