06-08-09 Common Council Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING JUNE 8, 2009 This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Edward Friend, 3305 S. Michigan Street, South Bend, Indiana, stated that he lives just one block north of the proposed building. He stated that he has lived their approximately 46 years and has seen a lot of changes in the neighborhood. He stated that he is personally in favor of this rezoning. However, given the large population of South Bend and St. Joseph County, he was dumbfounded to learn from the Area Plan Commission that there is no zoning classification or legal definition of school zone. He stated that to have to rezone this property to SF2 Single Family and Two Family District to allow for a primary and secondary public charter school is beyond his comprehension. He asked the Council to seriously consider revising the zoning code to allow for schools. He also noted that he was very appreciative that the school was going to filter out some of windows that face South Michigan Street so that the students would not be able to see some of the unfavorable activity that on occasion takes places. Ms. Lee Holland, Principal, Xavier Charter School of Excellence, stated that this rezoning would allow a great opportunity for the community. She stated that the school’s mission is to allow a globally oriented curriculum and to have local community involvement by the teachers, parents and students. She stated that she believes the school will have a positive impact within the area. Ms. Holland stated that part of the school’s mission states that “excellence is our destiny.” She noted that is what they expect of the children who will attend the school, the staff who will work at the school, those who are on the Board, and those community members who will participate at the school. She stated that making sure that the kids have a safe healthy environment also falls in line with that. She stated that they have made adjustments to the windows that face South Michigan Street to screen out some of the activity that may takes place. She stated that they look forward to being a partner in the community and provide another school choice. Councilmember Varner asked who the school’s charter is. Ms. Holland stated that the Charter is granted by Ball State University and will be managed by American Quality Schools based out of Chicago. Ms. Yolanda Turner Smith, 601 Pennsylvania Avenue, South Bend, Indiana, stated that she is the President of Indiana Schools of Excellence. She stated that is the governing board, which received the Charter to Open Xavier School from Ball State University. She stated that she is in favor of the project and thinks that this is a great opportunity for the entire community. She stated that the school plans to be around for a very long time. For 2009 they are going to have grades K-5 and after that they will go onto the eighth grade. She stated that they plan on having great opportunities for their staff and teachers to be involved in the communities. She stated that part of their mission states that “excellence is our destiny.” That is what they expect of their children who will attend the school, the staff who will work at the school, those who are on the Board, and those community members who will participate at the school. She stated that making sure that the children are in a safe healthy environment also falls in line with that. She stated that they plan to partner with local businesses to reach out to the community and be involved. There being no one else wishing to speak to the Council either in favor or in opposition to this bill, Councilmember Dieter made a motion for favorable recommendation to full Council concerning this bill as substituted. Councilmember Oliver Davis seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes. BILL NO. 23-09 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 614 EAST IRELAND RD., COUNCILMANIC DISTRICT 5, IN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA 6