Special Exception - 3520 Western Avenue

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2 The Petitioners are the owners of the real estate parcel shown on the attached site plan and as shown in the records of the St. Joseph County, Indiana Auditor's office. The Petition property presently has a Zoning classification of "LB" Local Business District. The Petitioners are also the owners of the building located on the Southwest corner of Western Avenue and Kenmore Street, which is across Kenmore Street from the Petition Site. The Petitioners desire to begin the operation of a restaurant facility in the existing building located on said Southwest corner. The existing building presently takes up a large portion of the property, which leaves very little land available for parking. The Petitioners also acquired the property shown as Parcel "A" on the attached site plan and they would desire to use that property for parking for their restaurant facility. After discussions with the Building Department staff, it was determined that in order to use Parcel "A" for parking for the restaurant facility, a Special exception is required to be approved. In regards to the Special Exception to allow for off-site parking, the Petitioners would state that there is not enough land available on the same property as the restaurant facility, which leaves the only viable alternative to use a parcel of ground which is located as near as possible to the building. As shown, the proposed 24 space parking area will meet the latest City standards for setbacks and will also be landscaped per the City's Zoning requirements. The parking area will be screened from the single-family homes located on the South side of the existing Public Alley by an evergreen screen. Drainage will be handled on-site, per the latest City standards in a retention area. The parking spaces will also be screened by low shrubbery along both Western Avenue and Kenmore Street. The Petitioners would ask the Board Members to agree that approval of the Special Exception to allow for off-site parking for the restaurant facility, would not be injurious to the public health, safety, comfort, community moral standards, convenience or general welfare, or injure or adversely affect the use of the adjacent area or property values therein, and that the proposed use will be consistent with the character of the district in which it is located and the land uses authorized therein, and that the proposed use is compatible with the recommendations of the City of South Bend Comprehensive plan, all of which is requested by the South Bend Municipal Code ~ 21-09.03 (i). The petition site is presently zoned Local Business which allows for a parking lot. This portion of Western Avenue is lined with several types of commercial uses. Because this area contains older buildings that lined the street, little room was left for off-street parking areas. This proposal will allow for off-street parking and at a location that is near to the proposed use. The Petitioners believe that approval of the above Special Exception will not be detrimental to adjacent properties, nor will it adversely affect the surrounding properties. The Petition site was previously used for Commercial purposes and is presently vacant. The Petitioners would ask the Board Members to agree that approval of the above-described Special Exception will not have a detrimental affect