08-10-09 Common Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 10, 2009 contrast what he is proposing and this is a slight change from what Christa from Area Plan had mentioned earlier, that the proposed curb cut entrance to be onto Edison Road as recommended by the City Engineer. He stated that they have changed it from the Pyle Av. access to accommodate not only the City Engineer’s request but also to get the traffic out onto Edison Road and away from some of the residential side streets. He stated that was at least the City Engineer’s concern at that particular point. In addition, what they would indicate is that there are several advantages to approving the “O” Office zoning on this site. There are two existing homes on the site right now; those two homes in reality generate about $5,000.00 in taxes each year. The building that Mr. Mihalach is proposing for this site is approximately 64,000 sq. ft. in size, this building will cost approximately 1 million dollars to construct and after its completion will generate probably in excess of $35,000.00 a year in taxes. Mr. Feeney stated that with the four (4) building’s previously mentioned along Edison Road that Mr. Mihalach would own if this were approved he will then be paying $100,000.00 a year or in excess of $100,000.00 a year in property taxes. Those building continue to generate taxes for the City of South Bend year after year after year. Mr. Feeney stated that Mr. Mihalach currently has a project that he is developing along the north side of Day Road, but that is in the City of Mishawaka. Mr. Feeney stated that he believes the Council would want to make Mr. Mihalach very enchanted with the City of South Bend. He asked the Council to approve the rezoning tonight. Some of the advantages of doing business with Mr. Mihalach is the fact that he has funded each of these individually. Each one of these buildings costs approximately the same, but because of their age is somewhat different in the amount of taxes that they pay. Mr. Mihalach is not only the developer of the buildings that have been previously mentioned but also a number of residential buildings along Northside thth Boulevard between 27 or 29 Street and Logan Street. Mr. Feeney noted that Mr. Mihalach has done a number of single family homes on both side the street and at the current time has begun construction for the City’s first all green condominium project. With those thoughts in mind, Mr. Mihalach has made a number of contributions to not only the North Side area but also the Edison area. He stated that Mr. Mihalach uses local people for all of his construction and maintenance. Mostly importantly in these particular times is the fact that Mr. Mihalach has never asked for abatement on any of these projects and does not intend to ask for abatement on this project at the corner. He stated that he would like for the Committee of the Whole to recommend this bill favorable to the full Council and vote favorable for its passage. Mr. Feeney stated that he would like to state for the record some of the commitments that they would like to make based on what the Council hear at the Committee Meeting this afternoon. Mr. Feeney stated that the two commitments are: 1. A not less than 6 foot high, attractive, non chain link, fence, securing the retention area. 2. One evergreen tree, not less than 6 foot high, planted every 12.5 feet along the east from the building to the south lot line, all along the south lot line, and along the southwest lot line abutting the SF1 Single Family and Two Family District zoned parcel belonging to Helen Manuszak, a/k/a 1322 Chimes, a/k/a Lot 101 Edison Park Addition, a/k/a Parcel ID 018-5155-5869. Councilmember Rouse asked if those commitments had to be put into a memorandum of agreement. Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand stated that they did not, the written commitments go back to the Area Plan Commission and the Council has to give enough specificity that they can bring it up again at their next meeting. She stated that the Council would make a recommendation subject to the two commitments are read into the record by Mr. Feeney and she believes that they are specific enough. Councilmember Oliver Davis asked about parking. Mr. Feeney replied that parking has been one of the major sore spots for Mr. Mihalach, his parking and Christa from Area Plan can attest to this, will normally exceed any minimum requirements that would exist for the building on any parcel that he owns. He is very aware of how badly parking can kill a building. So in this particular case they have more than the required amount. He stated that he wasn’t sure what the requirement was but thought it to be 22 parking spaces and they are supplying 31 spaces on this particular site. 4