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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005 Annual Report - Zoning & Annexation Committee 2005 Annual Report of the Zoning and Annexation Committee Date: December 5, 2005 To: The South Bend Common Council The Office of the City Clerk From: 6th District Council Member Ervin Kuspa, Chairperson Zoning and Annexation Committee Introduction: Pursuant to § 2-10 (i) of the South Bend Municipal Code, I am pleased to file this 2005 Annual Report of the Zoning and Annexation Committee, which highlights some of the activities of this calendar year, and makes some recommendations for consideration to improve the overall operations which affect land use decisions in the City of South Bend. Committee Membership: This year's Committee members included: Council Member at Large Al`Buddy"Kirsits, Vice-Chairperson Council Member Derek D. Dieter,member Timothy A. Rouse,member Ervin Kuspa, Chairperson Unfortunately,this is the second year in a row,that there was no member of the public interested in this area who expressed an interest to serve as a citizen member. Duties and Responsibilities: As noted in the South Bend Municipal Code, the Zoning and Annexation Committee is charge with the following duties: "Oversees the activities related to the Board of Zoning Appeals,recommendations from the Area Plan Commission and the Historic Preservation Commission,as well as all related matters addressing annexation and zoning". Meetings: Like last year, the Zoning and Annexation Committee, was one of the most active Standing Committees. It has met twenty-two (22) times as of this writing, with another committee meeting scheduled for next Monday, December 12th. Zoning and Annexation Brochure: This year the Committee approved a 4-page brochure prepared in conjunction with the Council Attorney. This brochure is available from the Office of the City Clerk, as well as in the Area C; r ' 2005 Annual Report of the Zoning and Annexation Committee December 5,2005 Page 2 Plan Commission Office and the Historic Preservation Office. Copies were also sent to each of the Neighborhood Partnership Centers. The brochure briefly summarizes procedures addressing: Annexations Written Fiscal Plans Rezonings Special Exceptions Historic Landmarks and Districts References to Chapter 21 of the South Bend Municipal Code are given, in addition to references to the Indiana Code whish sets for the governing criteria when requests of this nature are made with the Council. We have also made copies of the brochure available at Zoning and Annexation Committee meetings, as well as regular Common Council meetings. Hopefully, individuals will have a better understanding of the process followed for each type of zoning request, based on this summary of information. Like last year, I again recommend consideration of the following items which may improve the overall operation of the Zoning and Annexation Committee: 1. Receive an overview from the Department of Community and Economic Development on anticipated annexation for the upcoming year with a city map listing annexations completed for the prior year,the current year, and the upcoming year. 2. Receive an annual report from the Chairperson of the Area Plan Commission, the Area Plan Executive Director and the Building Commissioner which addresses among other things, any proposed changes which may be under consideration to improve the city's zoning ordinance: along with a listing of all written commitments entered into: and a summary of compliance and enforcement efforts. 3. Having a citizen member who is sincerely interested and knowledgeable in the zoning area. It has been a pleasure to serve as Chairperson of the Zoning and Annexation this year. Thank you. cc: John Byorni, Area Pan Executive Director Don Fozo, Building Commissioner Filed In Clerk's office DEC - 5 2N5 JOHN VOORDE CITY CLERK, Q.BEND,IN.