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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-11-11 Zoning And Annexation Commitee �.Si t..:; . � L � t �r '_ ZONING AND ANNEXATION COMMITTEE 07-11-11 Committee Members Present: Chairperson AI Kirsits; Oliver Davis; David Varner Other Council Members Present: Henry Davis; Ann Puzzello; Tim Rouse; Others Present: William R.Welsh, Hoosier Tank; Sue Kinnucan, Tom Kinnucan, Hoosier Tank; Don Inks; Ed Fisher; John Schalliol, Chuck Bulot; Kevin Wang; Bill Doblaw, Mayor Steve Luecke; Charlotte Pfeiffer; Dea Andrews Agenda: Bill No. 22-11 —Rezone 1710 Sheridan Bill No. 29-11 —Rezone 2014-2018 S. Michigan Bill No. 11-44—Special Exception 1117-1119 W.Washington Chairperson AI "Buddy" Kirsits opened the meeting and called upon Christa Nayder from the Area Plan Commission (APC)to report on the APC hearing. She explained the petition to rezone filed by Hoosier Tank involves changing approximately 1.9 acres of a city park adjacent to their facility to allow for additional parking and truck staging. She further reported there were no remonstrators at the APC hearing and the proposal was supported by the City both of which resulted in a favorable APC recommendation to Council. Ed Fisher of Fisher Land Surveyors was present to represent the petitioner. Following brief discussion, Councilmember Oliver Davis motioned the bill be sent to Council favorably. Councilmember Varner seconded and support was unanimous. Bill No. 29-11, next on the agenda, would rezone two parcels each with houses on them from MU to single family. Christa Nayder again outlined the Area Plan Staff position and recounted that the Area Plan Commission hearing which resulted in a favorable recommendation to Council. Both the owner of the property Bill Doblaw and the petitioner, Kevin 1lVang were present to make brief appeals and answer any questions. Subsequently, Councilmember Oliver Davis motioned Bill No. 29-11 be sent to Council favorably. This was seconded by Councilmember Varner and supported by all. The final agenda item, Bill No. 11-44 was received from the Board of Zoning Appeals with no recommendation. The petition is for the approval of a special exception request, allowing the re- instatement of a duplex in an SF-2 area. The property had been a legal non-conforming use; however had lost its status having sat vacant for over a year. Chuck Bulot, Building Commissioner, explained the matter noting two remonstrators spoke against the exception at the BZA hearing. Charlotte Pfeiffer, former 2"d District Councilmember and current neighbpr, recalled the long arduous task of improving the area seeing the single family designation as crue+al to that effort. Councilmember Rouse asked Mr. Bulot how the Building Department felt. N1r. Bulot didn't oppose the special exception; but questioned the owners capacity to rehab the property. Dea Andrews from South Bend Heritage(SBH)said SBH would like to consider buying the property to fix it up as a single family home. Brian Givens, the petitioner and owner of the investment property said he might be willing to sell to SBH. Councilmember's Varner and Oliver Davis tried to ferret out SBH's interest and the owners capabilities. Councilmember's Kirsits and Puzzello both voiced support for single-family zonings. Councilmember Henry Davis voiced support for private sector investment and cautioned any discrimination against renters and landlords. He suggested we ought to be encouraging investors who pay taxes and ultimately provide needed affordable housing in the neighborhoods. Councilmember Varner wondered if the petitioner would agree to a continuance to give SBH time to express legitimate interest in purchasing the duplex. The petitioner was agreeable. On a motion by Councilmember Varner, seconded by Councilmember Oliver Davis, the committee agreed to recommend a continuance until the July 25, 2011. There being no further business to come before the committee at this time, Chairperson Kirsits adjourned the meeting at 4:30 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, � �r J L rc � �� AI "Buddy" Kirsits, Ch person Zoning and Annexatio Committee