HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-28-08 Zoning and Annexation CommitteeZoning and Annexation Committee Meeting
2008 South Bend Common Council
The January 28, 2008 meeting of the Zoning and Annexation Committee of the South
Bend Common Council was called to order by Council Member Thomas LaFountain at
3:35 p.m. in the Council's Informal Meeting Room, 4th Floor of the County-City Building.
Persons in attendance included Council Members Dieter, Henry Davis, LaFountain,
Puzzello, Varner, Rouse and White; Mayor Stephen Luecke, Public Works Director
Gary Gilot, Acting Building Commissioner Charles Bulot, City Clerk John Voorde, Don
Inks, Interim City Controller John Murphy, Mrs. Kopola, Bill Schalliol, Martha Lewis,
Patrick S. Brown, Bryan Wine, Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney, and
Nancy Sulok of the South Bend Tribune.
Council Member LaFountain noted that the committee members include Council
Member Kirsits who is the Chairperson, Council Member Oliver Davis who is the Vice-
Chairperson, Dr. Varner and himself. Council Member LaFountain stated that he will
chair the meeting by default and that the committee does not have a quorum at this
time. As a result, information will be heard for informational purposes only.
Bill No. 08-05: Special Exceptioh Request for the Property Located at 1939
Charles Street
Council Member LaFountain called for a report from the Board of Zoning Appeals on Bill
No. 08-05 which seeks a special exception for the property located at 1939 Charles
Street.
Charles Bulot, Acting Building Commissioner reported that the Board of Zoning
Appeals held a public hearing on December 20, 2007, on the petition of FTC Properties
LLC which seeks a special exception to allow off-site parking in a "SF 1" District. The
Board of Zoning Appeals sends this request with a unanimous favorable
recommendation.
Patrick S. Brown, President of SiteScapes, Inc. which has offices located at 1816 North
Main Street in Mishawaka introduced Bryan Wine of Wissco Irrigation Company, Inc.
which has offices located at 1820 South Bend Avenue. Both gentlemen made the
formal presentation. They noted that the special exception is being requested to permit
a 37-space parking lot to be constructed for their employees. Currently employees
have to cross a 5-lane highway which poses significant safety concerns.
At this point Council Member Kirsits joined the meeting and a quorum of the Committee
was now present.
Zoning and Annexation Committee Meeting Minutes
January 28, 2008
Page 2
Bill Schalliol of Community and Economic Development spoke in favor of the proposed
special exception, noting that he believes that a reasonable compromise is being
presented.
In response to a question from Council Member Dieter, the petitioners noted that they
currently have 45 employees, which grows to 100 employees during the Summer. The
special exception would permit them to grow safely. Wissco Irrigation Company, Inc.
has been at this location for 21 years.
In response to a question from Council Member LaFountain, the petitioners noted that
all traffic will come from SR 23 through a controlled access.
No one from the public spoke in opposition.
Council Member Puzzello noted that the property in question is located in her
Councilmanic District. Members of the public spoke in opposition to the request at the
Board of Zoning Appeals public hearing. She noted that a rental property is in between
the residents and the proposed parking area. She believes that Wissco Irrigation
Company, Inc. has done everything that they can to make the property a comfortable
fit. She added that those persons who spoke in opposition at the BZA meeting will not
be in attendance this evening.
Council Member LaFountain made a motion, seconded by Dr. Varner that Bill No. 08-05
be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed.
There being no further business to come before the Committee, Council Member Kirsits
adjourned the meeting at 4:44 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Council Member Tho as LaFountai ,Actin Chairperson
~~~ ,~ ~~~
Council Member I "Buddy" Kirsit Chairperson
Zoning and Annexation Committee
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