HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-08-93 Human Resources & Economic Development Committee Report
HUMAN RESOURCES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
To the Common Council of the City of South Bend:
The March 8, 1993, meeting of the Human Resources and
Economic Development Committee was called to order by its'
Chairperson, Council Member Roland Kelly, at 4 : 15 p.m. in
the Council Informal Meeting Room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members: Luecke,
Kelly, Puzzello, Slavinskas Zakrzewski, Duda and Ladewski;
Ernest Szarwark, Bruce Squillante, Mike Beizinger, Don
Porter and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand.
Council Member Kelly noted that the first item on the agenda
t No. 9 3-22
was to review Resolution w ich is a tax abatement
which
request for the real property located at 119 West Wayne.
Mr. Michael Beizinger of the Department of Economic
Development then reviewed the report dated February 9, 1993
(copy attached) . He noted that the petitioner desires to
renovate the parking garage at the corner of Main and Wayne
Street at the projected cost of $750, 000. 00. He noted that
the petitioner does not qualify for tax abatement under the
current regulations and therefore would need to petition
under Section 2-84 of the Code. Accordingly, the department
has set forth a 3 , 6, and 10 year schedule for Coyne
Investments L.P. , the petitioner.
Mr. Ernest Szarwark of the Barnes and Thornburg Law Firm
then made the presentation. He also noted the Mr. Bruce
Squillante of the same law firm was also present on behalf
of the petitioner. He stated that he believes that the
petitioner qualifies as a special exception for a 10 year
abatement for three primary reasons, namely that the
facility is important to the growth and development of the
downtown, that the Norwest garage is physically attached to
the old Robertson's building, and that the closure of the
garage would exacerbate downtown parking problems. He also
noted that the extraordinary obsolescence factor would be
lost upon renovation under the assessment process once the
capital improvements are made. The building would be
reclassified from "poor" to "above 'average".
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Council Member Slavinskas spoke in favor of the proposed 10
year abatement and stated that he believes it does qualify
for a 10 year abatement because it is a critical development
to the downtown. Council Member Duda also spoke in favor of
an abatement but cautioned with regard to the exceptions.
Council Member Ladewski was concerned over the exception and
noted that several of the renovations being done were in
light of the American With Disabilities Act.
Following further discussion, Council Member Slavinskas made
a motion seconded by Council Member Luecke that Resolution
No. 93-22 be amended in Section IV. and Section V. as
indicated by the Council Attorney, and that it be
recommended favorably to full Council. The motion passed.
Council Member Duda and Council Member Kelly both noted that
since special exceptions are reviewed on a case by case
basis, that they believe that this was fair in light of all
the circumstances.
The Council Attorney then requested the petitioner to have a
Substitute Resolution prepared, for this evening's meeting
incorporating all of the changes recommended by the
Committee. A copy of that Substitute Resolution is
attached.
There being no further business to come before the
Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 4 : 50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Council Member Roland Kelly, Chairperson
Human Resources and Economic Development Committee
attachments