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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/26/07 Committee Meeting MinutesZONING & ANNEXATION COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 26, 2007 Present: Councilmember Kuspa, Vice-Chairperson Councilmember Pfeifer Councilmember Rouse Councilmember White Councilmember Puzzello Councilmember Kelly Donald Fozo, Building Commissioner Bill Schalliol, Community & Economic ©evelopment Robert Miller, Sr. Rick Meece, Vice President, Northern Electric Martha Lewis Absent: Councilmember Kirsits, Chairperson Councilmember Varner Agenda: Bili No. 07-17 -Special Exception - 1750 Willis Bill No. 07-18 -Special Exception -- 3003 Lincolnway West Bili No. 07-19 -Special Exception - 121 N. St. Louis BILL NO. 07-17 Don Fozo, St. Joseph County Building Commissioner reported that this bill was reviewed by the BZA and sent with a favorable recommendation by a 5-0 vote. Mike ©anch, surveyor, made a brief presentation to the committee for the petitioner. There being no questions or apposition from the public the committee moved to send to full council with no recommendation in that there was no majority of the committee present. Councilmember Pfeifer made the motion, seconded by Councilmember Kuspa BILL NO. 07-18 Qon Fozo, St. Joseph County Building Commissioner reported that Board of Zoning Appeals review resulted in a 5-0 favorable recommendation. Representing Kuert Concrete, Bernie Feeney, outlined the need for the request. No opposition was detected. The committee lacking a quorum moved to forward to Council with no recommendation. Councilmember Pfeifer made the motion, seconded by Councilmember Kuspa. BILL NO. 07-19 Don Fozo, St. Joseph County Building Commissioner reported a 5-0 unanimous vote of the Board of Zoning Appeals to send a favorable recommendation to Council. Bill Schalliol rose to voice support of the Redevelopment Department for the special exception request. Richard Meece, Vice-President Northern Electric, owner of the property rose to detail the needs and advantages of the requested change. He noted that Northern Electric had purchased the derelict house intending to invest considerable dollars in its rehabilitation so it could serve as off- campus housing for Notre Dame Students. By doing this they would remove an eyesore and source of past nefarious doings. This would provide neighborhood residential investment where there was none, enhancing the market value and esthetics of the surrounding area. Councilmember Puzzello voiced opposition to the rezoning stating she was opposed to any more student housing in her district. She described student housing as a source of trouble, difficult to police, an annoyance to neighbors, and a blight on neighborhoods. Martha Lewis, 308 Frances echoed the negative view of student housing adding students were a probable source of vandalism. Bob Miller, Sr. rose to support the petition. He stated, as an owner of adjacent city lots for over 70 years he has witnessed decades of residential disinvestment resulting in deteriorated rental housing and non-marketable vacant lots. He applauded the recent significant financial commitment of Northern Electric to the neighborhood as evidenced by their multi-million dollar investment in their facility and efforts to improve surrounding property. As far as monitoring student renter conduct, he felt a strongly written lease, the city ordinances, and the oversight of both Notre Dame and nearby neighborhood organizations should be enough to ameliorate fears of disruptive rentals. President Rouse suggested Northern Electric should be seen as a quality landlord worthy of trust based on their track record of positive commitment to the City. Councilmember Pfeifer asked if Northern Electric had solicited the opinion of the neighborhood organization. Councilmember White voiced support for that notion. Mr. Meece agreed to try. With that agreement, Councilmember Pfeifer made a motion to continue this bill until the next meeting of the South Bend Common Council, March 12, 2007. Councilmember Kuspa seconded the motion which carried. There being no further business to come before the Committee, Council Member Dieter adjourned the meeting. Respectfully submitted, ~, Ervin Kuspa, Vice-Chairperson Zoning & Annexation Committee