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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-24-92 Zoning & Vacation (tlommitter depart . ZONING AND VACATION COMMITTEE 110 tide Mammon Moonlit of tide Qlitg of*milli *nit The'February 24, 1992 of the Zoning and Vacation Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Lee Slavinskas at 4:03 p.m. in the council informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included Council Members: Luecke, Coleman, Puzzello, Washington, Kelly, Slavinskas, Zakrzewski, Coleman, Ladewski, and Duda; Fred Holycross, John Byorni, William Weaver, Beth Leonard, John Oxian, Jon Hunt, Don Porter,Barbara Steele,Ann Kolata and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Council Member Slavinskas noted that the first item on the agenda was to discuss Bill No. 62-91 which is a request to establish the property located 802 South Main as an historic landmark. Mr. Fred Holycross spoke in favor of the designation citing a 1989-1990 report of the Historic Preservation Commission. He noted that the property in question has been determined to be eligible for the national register and is rated as "S-11". It depicts a commercial building of the 1920's with neoclassical motifs and reflects the social history of the area. Mr. John Oxian, the Chairman of the Historic Landmark Committee, spoke in favor of the designation. Barbara Steele of South Hold Restoration also spoke in favor of the designation and noted that it is directly related to the Studebaker Era. She noted that the State Landmarks organization will put up money for future studies so long as the letter of support is received from the City. Mr. William J. Weaver, the owner of the building then presented multiple handouts to the committee (copy attached). He noted that the Redevelopment Commission offered to purchase the building for $50,000.00. He further noted that the cost to remove asbestos alone will be $44,000.00. Ann Kolata, then presented a letter dated February 24, 1992 (copy attached) which informed the Council that the Redevelopment Commission is opposed to the designation. She also clarified that the asbestos removal was anticipated as a cost to the Commission as opposed to the current property owner. She further advised that there is a pending lawsuit to acquire the property through eminent domain. She also indicated that the Commission had received a letter from Schafer Gear Works Inc. currently located at 814 South Main. He noted that they may be interested in the property in question. She also noted that if the Redevelopment Commission becomes the owner of the property through eminent domain, that a public bidding process is required by state law. Council Member Slavinskas questioned whether the current property owner was ever approached by Schafer Gear. Mr. Weaver indicated that they had been in 1990 and they were given an option on the building, but were no longer interested. Council Member Slavinskas stressed that the issue before the Council is one of land use. In response to a question raised by Council Member Puzzello it was noted that a building could be designated as an historic landmark yet still be demolished. Council Member Duda voiced concern and support for a delay of any further action to allow various options to be pursued. Council President Luecke and the Council Attorney noted that the Council must focus on the zoning issue of what is the best land use for the area in question. ZONING AND VACATION COMMB I EE February 24, 1992 • Page 2 In response to a question raised by Council Member Zakrzewski it was noted that Mr. Weaver has owned the building since 1984. Barbara Steele noted that the Troyer Group, Inc., who are local architects, have agreed to do a study at a reduced cost of$3,500.00. It was noted that the building has been determined to be structurally sound and that the funding would be for a feasibility study. Council Member Coleman noted that in reviewing the material presented by Mr. Weaver that approximately$1.4 million dollars would be needed to renovate the building. He also noted that Hope Rescue Mission voiced an interest in the building utilizing it for thirty rooms. It was also noted that the Broadway Hotel was renovated for 35 rooms. Council Member Coleman stated that he believes the best land use is light industrial and therefore would be voting against the designation. Council Member Slavinskas questioned what the cost of demolition would be. It was noted that it would be somewhere between $25,000.00 to $50,000.00 at approximately $1.00 to $1.50 per square foot. The cost of asbestos removal of$44,000.00 was believed to be a high quote. Council Member Duda voiced concern over the process with the amount of public monies that would be involved and then selling it to a private entity at a"bargain rate". Council Member Washington questioned whether there were any other buyers, and was advised that there were not. Following further discussion, Council Member Puzzello made a motion, seconded by Council Member Coleman, that Bill No. 62-91 be recommended unfavorably to Council. The motion passed by a 3 to 1 vote with Council Member Washington voting in opposition. Council Member Slavinskas noted the next item on the agenda was to review Substitute Bill No. 79-91 which would vacate alleys near Forest and Leland Avenue. Council President Luecke stated that the Board of Public Works reviewed the revised Bill and gave it a favorable recommendation. He also noted a letter in support of the revised Bill dated February 23, 1992. Council President Luecke noted that there had been two remonstrators but that they were in favor of the compromised version at this time. Following further discussion, Council Member Coleman made a motion, seconded by Council Member Washington, that Bill No. 79-91 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Council President Luecke noted that Bill No. 80-91 which would designate a portion of the Near Northwest Neighborhood as a local historic preservation district received an unfavorable recommendation from the Historical Preservation Commission. He and the Council Attorney explained that the new state law requires that all zoning matters be requested by the Council. Therefore, an individual Council member could not a request for a delay. The Council Attorney noted that such a request, if made by the Council, would not go to the merits of the issue, but rather would keep the legal process moving. Following further discussion Council Member Duda made a motion, seconded by Council Member Coleman, that the Committee recommend that Bill No. 80-91 be continued indefinitely. The motion passed. Council Member Luecke also noted that after discussion between the Council Attorney and City Attorney's Office, that the Board of Public Works would no longer be holding a formal hearing on vacations of public property. The Board of Public Works would ZONING AND VACATION COMMITTEE February 24, 1992 • Page 3 however continue to be sent bills for review and recommendation and have the appropriate city departments review such vacation requests. Council President Luecke further recommended that the Police Department be added to the departments reviewing such requests. Council Member Slavinskas noted that there is a pending draft of the "0" Zoning Bill. He noted that Patricia DeClercq voiced concern with regard to parking. The Council Attorney offered to provide copies of the Bill to Council Members Kelly, Washington, and Ladewski. There being no further business to come before the Committee the meeting was adjourned at 5:02 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Council Member Lee Slavinskas Chairperson,Zoning and Vacation Committee att.