08-12-02 Zoning & Annexation - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Committt *oat: Zoning au0 trittwxation (ommittu The August 12, 2002 meeting of the Zoning and Annexation Committee was called to order by its Chairperson Council Member Karen L. White at 3:15 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Aranowski, Varner, King, Coleman, Pfeifer, Kirsits, White, and Kelly; George Adler, Community Development Director Jon Hunt, Area Plan Director Robert Sante, Area Plan Assistant Director John Byorni, Larry Magliozzi, Marco Mariani; the four(4) new employees in Community Development: Mr. Dukes, Mr. Voviti, Mr. Kaiser,Mr. King, Terry Bland of the *QUO O t 1 ITributte and Kathleen Cekanski Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member White noted that this was the first of several meetings being called to review the proposed comprehensive plan. Today's meeting was called to receive a preliminary overview. Council Member White further noted that the comprehensive plan is to be a tool or guide for development in South Bend, St. Joseph County and the towns represented by the Area Plan Commission. She stated that the Council Attorney prepared a Memorandum dated July 8, 2002 (copy attached) which set forth background information about the process for the Council. She added that Jon Hunt also provided a Memorandum dated July 16, 2002 (copy attached) which highlighted items related to the adoption process of the proposed plan. The four(4) new Community Development employees were then introduced to the Committee. Council Member White then called upon Robert W. Sante, Executive Director of the Area Plan Commission of St. Joseph County to make his preliminary overview of the proposed Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Sante stated that the comprehensive plan will serve as the "long-range plan" for the next twenty (20) years. It is designed to provide a framework and starting point for the planning process. It highlights strengths and weaknesses of the community; opportunities and threats. Parts of the community should grow and the plan suggests the type of growth that should take place in these areas. Mr. Sante noted that they talked with Project Future and Jon Hunt and his department as well as commercial developers in the development of the proposed comprehensive plan. It should be considered a"jumping off point"for development in the City. Mr. Sante noted that there are many other plan for the South Bend community under way,as noted by the Council Attorney in her Memorandum. Input from citizens residing in the city and the county has been solicited. Approximately a half dozen public forums were held before the Area Plan Commission took formal action on the proposed comprehensive plan. DAdditionally, approximately four hundred(400) citizens were polled for their input. Mr. Sante stated that the comprehensive plan would be a "statement of public policy" for the community. He rioted that it is needed for an economic development tool; for federal and state programs;for infra-structure funding grants; for developing guidelines and services. He noted that the "Smart Growth" model was used in developing the proposed plan, highlighting that keeping "growth compact where services are provided"was an area of consideration. Mr. Sante stated that in order for the comprehensive plan to be implemented it must be adopted by the various governmental bodies. South Bend is proposed to adopt the plan first.