09-28-09 Common Council Meeting Agenda & Packet

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Area Board of Zoning.Appeals -September 2, 2009 MR. HENRY DAVIS JR.: I'm council member that represents the second district in the City of South Bend with offices on the fourth floor of the County-City Building, 227 W. Jefferson. As you were talking earlier I heard a comment about there are a lot of group homes that's closely to the downtown area. Those group homes are in my district, the district I represent. And I'm not opposed to group homes. I think they're great when they're run the correct way. I talked with Lashon a few times over the phone, spoke with her about her program and asked the right questions about when, where, why and how. And she was able to answer those questions. As many group home petitions come before the council, it's very rare when you have somebody who's as direct and honest as well as defined in their mode of operation. And so I applaud her on that. But one thing that I wanted to speak on really fast is the how we continue to understand that we want these things, and honestly there is a need for these things, but not in my neighborhood. Again just looking at the second district in the City of South Bend we have a lot of these things and so I echo with Rev. Taylor and what he just spoke about being placed in a different environment that doesn't look the same environment that you just came from because of the struggles that you had before will allow you to grow, will give you the understanding that's necessary. Now I understand the residents concerns as well. No one wants to be arowid a group home because of the all the extra baggage that may come with a group home or the stigmatism, but as the City of South Bend and not a side of town we have to start looking at the whole approach. What effects the west, effects the south side. What effects the south side, effects the north side. What effects the south side, effects the east side. We're all here together. To talk about it, it still takes a village to raise a child. So I would encourage you to approve this and let the council settle it. Thank you. MR. URBANSKI: I have six letters that were sent in. They are from a Terry Butura, Clinical Resource Nursing Supervisor, Elmhurst Memorial Health Care, Evelyn Davis, 424 Eddy Street, Natalie Lott, 5116 Rowantree Place, Barbara Jones, 848 Eddy Street, Delbert and Allison Swenson, 1309 Otsego Place, South Bend and Naomi Adams, I'm assuming from South Bend. Those are the six letters we received by either e- mail or fax to the council. So this ends the speaking in favor. Usually what we have and I understand you're directly involved, but your response will be at the end after what Mr. Danch has. REMONSTRANCE MR. STEPHEN STUDER: I'm an attorney with offices at 4101 Edison Lakes Parkway, Mishawaka, 46545. I represent here a number of neighbors mostly impacted by this petition. Although I know a number of them would like to speak. I really don't want all of them to speak because we've been here a long time but I would ask that everybody that we represent and are opposed to this, please stand up at this time. ABOUT 50 OR MORE PEOPLE 1N THE AUDIENCE STOOD UP AT THIS TIME MR. URBANSKI: Steve, thanks a million. MR. STUDER: You're welcome. Some of them still want to say a few words but I think it's important that... MR. URBANSKI: And that's okay too but this way we have the visual. MR. STUDER: Thank you sir. Our concern is simple. This is not the right location for this particular business and these are not the right people to run this business. 1 think you heard some testimony today by the 20