05-23-16 Council Agenda and Packet

Home Browse Search

Page 1 of 2 Matthew Chappuies - Kisser House and Landmark's Plan for it. From: Noreen Moran Deane -Moran <ndeanemo @nd.edu> To: <mchappui @co.st joseph.in.us> Fled in Clerk's Office Date: 4/16/2016 11:32 PM Subject: Kisser House and Landmark's Plan for it. Cc: Todd Zeiger <tzeiger @indianalandmarks.org> MAY '18 ?t1 6 KAREEMAH FOWLER Mr. Mathew Chappuies L CITY CLERK, SOUTH BEND, IN Area Plan Commission of St. Joseph County L - 1140 County City Building 227 West Jefferson Blvd APR 1$ 2016 South Bend, Indiana 46601 AREA PLAN COMMISSION Dear Mr Chappuies,r°�i_;T +r� ►. I am writing today to express support of the petition of Indiana Landmarks to rezone the historic Kizer House at 803 West Washington from its current multi - family zoning to a mixed use zoning to allow for Landmark's office space and other use which will become more clear after Mr. Zeiger gives a presentation to the Near West Side Neighborhood Organization. I am also in support of their associated request for a parking variance from the required thirty on -site spaces to thirteen and use of some created on street parking. At this juncture, however, I am unsure of the parking arrangements possibly proposed for the front of the two buildings at that particular part of West Washington and its peculiar traffic management situation. I am sure that further discussion will clarify that particular issue. The proposed plan will certainly be an improvement by eliminating the large amount of front yard concrete and the elimination of two dangerous entrances. The house is an interesting one, and we were all very happy when the most recent couple purchased it and seemed to ensure its rehabilitation and historic placement. Unfortunately, that, ultimately, did not work out. Single family would have been a nice stability and addition to the predominant zoning, but given several elements, that perhaps is highly unlikely at this point, and Landmarks is most likely to rehabilitate the physical structure and find a use in keeping with the neighborhood. As a fifty -three (53) year resident of West Colfax Avenue, and thus the West Washington Historic District, I certainly have witnessed first hand the negative impact the house had in its previous ownership by Mr. Freidline. The drug dealing was legion, and after the fairly large fire, the rehabilitation by the owner was less than desirable. As we were able to narrow what had formerly been the inner belt, we were excited and hopeful for a positive change. It would seem at this point, that Landmarks is presenting a proposal that will bring positive change to the building and, thus, increase the stability of the neighborhood. In terms of parking plans, I await a clearer vision of the situation and depend on your expertise in analyzing the situation. Permission to use Museum parking seems to be a valid solution. The proposed angle parking might also be, but I don't know how those spaces an be reserved or what the legal plan is. I think the spaces directly involved with the parking lot of the building should be sufficient, but, as previously mentioned, I do have questions about front W. Washington use of space and any alteration there. On West Colfax, we have situations with the Bed and Breakfast which file: / / /C:/ Users /MChappui /AppData/ Local / Temp/ XPgrpwise /5712CB97IntemalPLEXISP... 4/18/2016