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227 W. JEFFERSON BLVD. SOUTH BEND, IN 46601 | P: 574-235-9371 | FAX: 574-235-9021 | SOUTHBENDIN.GOV
Department of
Community Investment
Update to Commerce Center PUD Rezoning Request
Thursday, October 20, 2016
The Department of Community Investment (DCI) supports the Commerce Center PUD as it is currently
proposed inclusive of height and all additional amendments and commitments made by the developer
and incorporated into the PUD since the Area Plan Commission meeting on September 20th 2016. The City
also stands ready to work with the developer on any future design changes that financial circumstances
might permit.
The primary items and concerns that the developer addressed since the original PUD submission and the
initial DCI report include:
Public open space
There was a commitment by the developer to preserve as publically accessible open space an area
between the existing Commerce Center and the East Race as well as provide a smaller amount of
publicly accessible plaza space associated with the Side Door Deli facing the East Race at Colfax Street.
Ground Floor Activation to LaSalle Ave and the East Race.
- The developer commitment to adding a residential entry to LaSalle Street in addition to the entries
already proposed. This gave us the confidence that the street character that currently exists in the
East Bank would be maintained.
- The updated plan illustrates numerous windows on the ground floor level to LaSalle Street and the
East Bank. This also contributes to the activation of the public domain.
Fine Grained Character.
The updated plan illustrates a façade that depicts multiple buildings which was not apparent in the
initial PUD submission. Our concern was a building that had no articulation and was a solid, overly
repetitious façade.
Solar Access.
While DCI has not seen a floor plan of the proposal the developer has assured us that he is looking at
ways to minimize the number of impacted units that receive little to no natural light.
Signage
The developer has reduced the percentage of signage as proposed in his initial PUD filing.