HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/08/07 Zoning and Annexation CommitteeZoning and Annexation Committee Meeting
2007 South Bend Common Council
The November 8, 2007 meeting of the Zoning and Annexation Committee of the South
Bend Common Council was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member AI
"Buddy" Kirsits at 6:00 p.m. inside of the main entrance of Benjamin Harrison Primary
Center located at 3302 West Western Avenue in South Bend.
Persons in attendance included Council Members Puzzello and Kirsits, Dr. Robert
Zimmerman, Ralph Pienicykiewsicz and Bill Snidecki of the South Bend Community
School Corporation; Marty Murphy of Chames Childs Architects, Jerry Ujdak, Lynn
Patrick, Tim Herdman, and Tim Kluszynski of Historic Preservation; Steve Miskin, Mike
Szymanski, Bill Bernhart, Frank Macri, Judy Tovey, unidentified members of the news
media; and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney.
Council Member Kirsits welcomed everyone to the tour of the Harrison Primary Center,
noting that the tour will be kept to 45 minutes and that it is in conjunction with Substitute
Bill No. 61-07 requesting that Marquette School be designated as an historic landmark.
He noted that the committee members include Council Members Kuspa, Pfeifer, Varner
and himself.
Tour of Harrison Primary Center in Conjunction With Substitute Bill No. 61-07:
Council Member Kirsits noted that today's walking tour will be to gather information with
no formal action being taken by the Committee. The following handouts were provided
to the Committee:
1. 6-page handout on Benjamin Harrison Primary Center depicting pictures; project
description by James Childs Architects; ground floor master plan; 01-01-03 South
Bend Tribune Article
2. 3-page handout showing an aerial of Harrison Primary Center and 2-pages of
master plans (copies attached).
South Bend Community School Superintendent, Dr. Robert Zimmerman, led the tour.
Items highlighted included:
• 750 students are in the school
• Harrison Primary Center replaced the former existing elementary school
• Harrison Primary Center is organized into a series of "pods" or "cul de sacs" to .
help reduce noise and distractions with usually five (5) classrooms in an area, a
restroom, and a teachers area in each pod or cul de sac for a specific grade
• Many limestone medallions were saved from the former elementary school and
strategically placed on the walls throughout Harrison Primary Center
• Has the only health clinic which is being considered for Marquette School
• Harrison's classrooms average 1,000 square feet
Zoning and Annexation Committee Meeting Minutes of November 8, 2007
Page 2
• Outside playground uses recycled rubber which is ADA compatible
• Interior courtyard provides natural lighting and an area for safe outdoor activities
• Harrison is the largest venue for ESL
• A 3~d Grade male teacher noted that noise has been lessened due to the design
of the pods; additional electrical outlets are helpful
• Harrison has afull-service kitchen which provides satellite services to two (2)
other schools, a concept they are considering for Marquette
• There are several areas which have their own electrical, AC, etc utilizing Aerco
• Harrison has no basement
• Historic Preservation noted that all features included in Harrison can also be
included into current Marquette
Council Member Kirsits thanked everyone for coming to the tour. He noted that the
Zoning and Annexation Committee will meet next Monday, November 12th at 3:55 p.m.
and that Substitute Bill No. 61-07 dealing with the proposed landmarking of Marquette is
one of several items on the Committee's agenda. He added that the Bill at the 7:00 pm
Common Council meeting was continued in the Council portion only.
Council Member Kirsits adjourned the committee meeting at 6:42 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Council Member AI "Buddy" Kirsits, Chairperson
Zoning and Annexation Committee
Attachments