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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-24-05 Zoning & Annexation Zoning and Annexation Committee 2005 South Bend Common Council The January 24, 2005 meeting of the Zoning and Annexation Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Ervin Kuspa at 4:00 p.m., in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Dieter, Pfeifer, Kelly, Pnzzello, Varner, Kuspa, Kirsits, White and Rouse; Andy Videkovich, a planner with Area Plan; Executive Director of the Department of Economic Development Sharon Kendall, Bernie Feeney, Rita Kopala, Janice D. Hensel, Julene D. Donohue, City Clerk John Voorde, and Kathleen • Cekanski-Farrand,Council Attorney. Council Member Kuspa noted that the Committee members include Council Members Kirsits, Dieter,Rouse,and himself. Council Member Kuspa stated that the first item on the agenda was to review Bill No. 68-04 (copy attached) which is a rezoning request for the property located at 140 North Meade Street, which is located in Councilmanic District#2. Andy Videkovich, a planner with Area Plan, noted that the Bill received a favorably recommendation from the Area Plan Commission. Bernie Feeney of Lang, Feeney & Associates, Inc., with offices located at 715 South Michigan Street in downtown South Bend made the presentation. He noted that the property is currently vacant and has been for several years. It is located adjacent to the Amtrak Station. The contingent purchaser, Lillac Simpson plans to relocate her church to the facility. Mr. Feeney noted that the City's Board of Zoning Appeals granted a variance request for the side and rear yards in anticipation of favorable action on the rezoning request. He then provided a copy of the map of the property in question which was utilized at the BZA meeting(copy attached). In response to a question from Council Member White, Mr. Feeney noted that the church is ongoing, which has a growing congregation. They have experienced break-ins at their current location near.Quince and SR 2 and would like to relocated the church to be within the city limits. In response to a question from Council Member Rouse,Mr. Feeney noted that the current church membership is approximately a dozen people. No one from the public spoke in favor or in opposition to Bill No. 68-04. Following discussion, Council Member Kirsits made a motion, seconded by Council Member Dieter that Bill No. 68-04 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Council Member Kuspa then called for a presentation on Substitute Bill No. 82-04 (copy attached) which is a zoning request for the property located at 3055 East Edison Road, which is located within Councilmanic District# 4. January 24,2005 Zoning and Annexation Committee of the 2005 South Bend Common Council -page 1- Mr. Videkovich noted that the Area Plan Commission held a public hearing at their December 21, 2004 meeting and send the substitute bill to the Council with a favorable recommendation. Julene D. Donohue, a co-owner of the property in question with Janice D. Hensel made the presentation. She noted that their beauty salon business in South Bend is currently located at 409 North Hickory where they have been in business for 30 years. They also have been in business in Niles, Michigan with that business being started by the petitioner's grandmother 48 years ago. They are the 3rd generation in the beauty salon business. They anticipate that they would have 20-30 clients per day and would be closed on Sundays and Mondays. The proposed location has good visibility and high traffic. Ms. Donohue stated that the church would act as a buffer to the residential area for the upscale salon. Last year they did $200,000 in sales at the South Bend store. Council Member Puzzello inquired about other potential uses. Mr. Videkovich noted that the zoning would allow some retail, office and other commercial uses without a drive-thru window. No one from the public spoke in favor or in opposition to Substitute Bill No. 82-04. Council Member Kirsits inquired about the staff,noting that this could be a soft use but worried about the other commercial uses. He stated that he is looking for some guidance from the staff to address these concerns. Council Member Dieter stated that he is in favor of the rezoning request. Council Member Puzzello stated that she does not want commercial uses there and that the church is opposed to the rezoning. Council Member Rouse stated that he would go with the District Council person., if the concerns regarding other commercial development could not be addressed. Mr. Videkovich stated that a written commitment could be a possibility. Dr. Varner noted that the Area Plan Commission is very well intentioned. However developments happen when there is a person willing to purchase and use property. Following discussion, Council Member Kirsits made a motion, seconded by Council Member Dieter that Substitute Bill No. 82-04 be recommended favorably to Council subject to a written commitment approved by the Area Plan Commission which limits the usage of this property to a full-service beauty salon. The motion passed. There being no further business to come before the Committee, Council Member Kuspa adjourned the meeting at 4:15 p.m. Respectfully omitted, Council Member Ervin uspa, Chairperson KCF:kmf Zoning and Annexation Committee Attachments January 24,2005 Zoning and Annexation Committee of the 2005 South Bend Common Council -page 2-