HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-25-05 Community & Economic Development Community and Economic Development Committee
2005 South Bend Common Council
The July 25, 2005, meeting of the Community and Economic Development Committee was
called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Aim Puzzello at 3:50 p.m. in the Council
Informal Meeting Room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members Dieter, Pfeifer, Puzzello, Kelly, Kuspa,
Varner, Kirsits, White and Rouse; Citizen Member Martha Lewis, Brad Poulan, Executive
Director of the Department of Community and Economic Development Sharon Kendall, , Mrs.
Kopola, Tedd Schaffer, Anthony S. Serianni,Raymond E. VanWynsberghe, Jeff McGowan, City
Clerk John Voorde and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand,Council Attorney.
Council Member Puzzello noted that the committee consists of Citizen Member Martha Lewis,
Council Members Kuspa,Kelly,Kirsits and herself.
Council Member Puzzello noted that there was no one present for Bill No. 05-91 and she
Suggested that it would be held until the end of the Committee meeting.
Council Member Puzzello then asked for a report from the Department of Community and
Economic Development on Bill No. 05-92 which is a seven (7) year real property request of
Anacatrice,LLC(Omicron Biochemicals,Inc.)for the property located at 115 South Hill Street.
Tedd Schaffer, an Economic Development Specialist, reviewed his report dated July 18, 2005
(copy attached). He noted that the petitioner have purchased the building located at 115 South
Hill Street and plan to re-roof it, install new windows, recondition its exterior, seal exterior door
openings, remodel the bathrooms, remodel the front office and build a new research laboratories
all at a cost of$200,000. The report concluded that the petitioner meets the qualifications for a
seven (7) year real property tax abatement under Section 2-82.1 of the South Bend Municipal
Code which addresses "Industrial Development in the Urban Enterprise Zone and
Redevelopment Areas".
Anthony S. Serianni,President of the company made the formal presentation. He noted that his
company has been in business since 1982 and are excited about their new home on Hill Street.
His company manufactures stable isotopically labeled biological molecules for use in chemical,
biochemical, medical and clinical investigations. One to two new jobs will be created and five
(5)current full-time jobs will be retained.
There was no public input.
Council Member Kirsits made a motion, seconded by Council Member Kuspa that Bill No.
05-92 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed.
Council Member Puzzello then called for a report from the Department of Community and
Economic Development on Bill No. 05-93 which is a five (5) year residential real property tax
abatement request for Garden Homes by E.L., Inc. (G&M Properties) for the properties located
at 3021 West Calvert Street and 3025 West Calvert Street.
July 25,2005 Community and Economic Development Committee Meeting Minutes -page 1-
Mr. Schaffer reviewed his report dated July 19, 2005 (copy attached) noting that the petitioner
proposes to build a single-family residence at the locations The report concluded that the
petitioner meets the requirements for a five year residential tax abatement under Section 2-77.1
of the South Bend Municipal Code addressing single-family real property abatements.
Raymond E. VanWynsberghe of Garden Homes, Inc. (Limited POA attached) made the formal
presentation. He noted that the two (2) homes will have approximately 1,036 square feet with a
market value each of approximately$100,000.
Kathleen Petczak of 901 West Byran spoke against the abatement request noting that 46% of the
properties in Portage Township have received tax abatement.
Council Member Puzzello noted that she would be happy to provide Ms. Petczak with a
Committee brochure which details the tax abatement process and that the petitioner will be
paying taxes,but at a lower amount for the five year period in question.
Council Member Kuspa made a motion, seconded by Council Member Kelly that Bill No. 05-93
be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed.
Council Member Puzzello noted that a presenter was now present for Bill No. 05-91. She then
called for a report from Mr. Schaffer on Bill No. 05-91 which is a ten (10)year real property tax
abatement reconfirming resolution for Axelberg & Axelberg, LLC for the property located at
2025 Main Street.
Mr. Schaffer reviewed his report dated July 19, 2005 (copy attached). which detailed among
other things that a Declaratory Resolution was previously adopted and that a Confirmation
Resolution was adopted on July 28, 2003 (Resolution No. 3212-03). The report noted that the
petitioner is requested an extension of the 10-year designation period.
Jeff McGowan of Kruggel, Lawton & Company, LLC with offices in downtown South Bend
made the formal presentation. He stated that due to problems scheduling the masonry
contractors,the project has fallen behind schedule and will not be completed by July 28, 2005 as
originally anticipated. The are asking for an extension so that the project could be completed
within the next several months.
Dr. Varner noted that they had done a project on Broadway and Main Street and had done a
super job.
Council Member Kelly made a motion, seconded by Council Member Kuspa that Bill No. 05-91
be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed.
Council Member Puzzello inquired whether any one was present for formally present Bill No.
05-94 which is a five (5)year residential real property tax abatement request of Marvin L. Ward
for the property located at 3230 Topsfield Road.
The Council Attorney suggested that the Committee Chairperson call the petitioner's name three
times. Council Member Puzzello then called Marvin L. Ward three (3) times and no one
July 25,2005 Community and Economic Development Committee Meeting Minutes -page 2-
responded. Council Member Puzzello stated that the Bill would be continued until the August
8th Council meeting in light of no one being present.
Under miscellaneous business, Council Member Puzzello noted that the Council Attorney has
prepared a 3-page document (copy attached) entitled "Requirements for all petitions seeking
single-family residential development real property tax abatement consideration for multiple
parcels", and asked the Council Attorney to briefly summarize it.
Mrs. Cekanski-Farrand noted that the initial request for this document was requested by Dr.
Varner to help assure that accurate information would be presenter by developers to all persons
who inquired about purchasing a single-family home in an area which received residential tax
abatement. She noted that she drafted that document and shared copies with Don Inks and Tedd
Schaffer in the Department of Community and Economic Development, as well as Council
Member Puzzello. They have all"signed off'on its use in the future.
Sharon Kendall, Executive Director of the Department of Community and Economic
Development stated that the forms use will resolve many questions which have been raised by
individuals in the past,and recommended that it be used.
Following discussion, Council Member Kelly made a motion, seconded by Council Member
Kuspa recommended that the city begin utilizing this form for all future multi-parcel residential
tax abatements. The motion passed.
There being no further business to come before the Committee, Council Member Puzzello
adjourned the meeting at 4:40 p.m.
Re .-ctfully sub 4 ed,
f / /
41-1 Member Ann P' .t lo, Chairperson
Community and Economic Development Committee
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Attachments
July 25,2005 Community and Economic Development Committee Meeting Minutes -page 3-