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Home My WebLink About04-12-99 Community & Economic Development Comm Zeport: Community and Economic Development Committee So OS tommon eottttttl of tht City of iiotttfj gent,: The April 12, 1999 meeting of the Community and Economic Development Committee was called to order by Council Member Roland Kelly, Chairperson of the Committee at 4:00 p.m.in the Council informal meeting room . Persons in attendance included Council Members: Kelly, Pfeifer, King, Sniadecki, Varner, Ujdak, Hosinski, Sniadecki and Coleman; Nancy Van Scoyk, John Phair, Bob Hunt,Lew Powell,Eugenia Schwartz,Ken Fedder,Terry Bland,representative for each of the requested tax abatements,and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Council Member Kelly noted that the first item on the agenda was to review Res. No. 99- 18, which is a five (5) year residential real property tax abatement request for the real property located at 1914 and 1920 North Fremont Street(Rebecca Harris) Nancy Van Scoyk reviewed her report dated March 23, 1999 (copy attached) which concluded that the project meets the qualifications for a five (5) year residential real property tax abatement. The project would have Garden Homes construct homes valued between$65,000 to $ 70,000 on the parcels which would provide affordable homes on infill lots in the city (report attached). Following discussion, Res. No. 99-18 was recommended favorably to the full Council. The Committee then reviewed Substitute Res. No. 99-19 which is a ten (10) year real property tax abatement request for the property located at 234 South Chapin Street (South Bend Heritage Foundation). Nancy Van Scoyk reviewed her report dated March 30, 1999 (copy attached). The project by SBHF would be for the construction of a commercial building on approximately .85 acres located immediately north of the Say-A-Lot grocery store on the northeast corner of Western and Chapin Street. The estimated total project cost is $ 750,000. Following discussion, the Committee found that the proposed project meets the special exception provisions of § 2-84 of the South Bend Municipal Code, and therefore recommended Substitute Res. No. 99-19 favorably to the full Council. The Committee then reviewed Res. No. 99-20 which is a five (5) year residential real property tax abatement request for the properties located at 1216 West Colfax Avenue and 119, 123, 124, 127, 128, 131 and 132 Spruce Street as a residentially distressed area for South Bend Heritage Foundation. Nancy Van Scoyk reviewed her report dated March 29, 1999 (copy attached) which concluded that the project meets the qualifications for a five (5) year residential real property tax abatement. ✓ Community and Economic Development Committee April 12, 1999 Page 2 Thirteen(13) lots will be replated so that eight (8)new single-family homes may be built. This project directly backs on the north side of West Washington Place, the affordable rental units developed by SBHF. Total estimated project costs are $ 640,000. The potential buyers may be eligible for a mortgage subsidy of$ 15,000. Following discussion,the Committee recommended that Res. No. 99-20 be recommended favorably to the full Council. The Committee then reviewed Res. No. 99-23 which is a five (5) year residential real property tax abatement request for the properties located at 5207, 5210, 5211, 5214 and 5215 Windfall Court for Dave&Lois Coker. Nancy Van Scoyk reviewed her report dated April 6, 1999 (copy attached) which concluded that the project meets the qualifications for five (5) years of residential real property tax abatement. The project includes the building of five (5) new single family residences at an estimated coast between$70,000 to$ 80,000 for a total project cost of$375,000. Following discussion,the Committee recommended that Res. No. 99-23 be recommended favorably to the full Council. The Committee then reviewed Res. No. 99-24 which is a five (5) year residential real property tax abatement request for the properties located at 301 LaPorte Avenue and 1041, 1043, and 1047 LaSalle Connector for the Housing Development Corporation of St. Joseph County. Nancy Van Scoyk reviewed her report dated March 31, 1999 (copy attached) which concluded that the project meets the qualifications for a five (5) year residential real property tax abatement. The project would include the building of four (4) homes constructed with complete mobility handicap features and amenities. Following discussion,the Committee recommended that Res. No. 99-24 be recommended favorably to the full Council. The Committee then reviewed Res. No. 99-25 which is a six (6) year real property tax abatement request for the property located at 6879 Enterprise Drive and Bill No. 99-26 which is a six (6)year real property tax abatement request for the property located at 6851 Enterprise Drive for the petitioner,Enterprise Centre Partners,L.P. Nancy Van Scoyk reviewed the April 27, 1998 and April 6, 1999 reports prepared by Michael Beitzinger (copies attached) which note that the buildings were built on a speculative basis and were prepared for a six (6) year tax abatement period. The Council may indicate the term of the abatement based on the information in the reports and the verbal presentations. • Community and Economic Development Committee April 12, 1999 Page 3 Following discussion, Council Member King made a motion, seconded by Council Member Sniadecki that Res. Nos. 99-25 and 99-26 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Council Member King made a motion, seconded by council Member Sniadecki that both resolutions be amended to reflect a ten(10)year period,and to recommend both Resolutions favorably as amended to the full Council. The motion passed. Michelle Busch then reviewed Res. No. 99-21 which would adopt the South Gateway Commercial Corridor Action Plan(copy attached). Eugenia Schwartz spoke in favor of the Resolution and noted that it reflects all agencies working together on an action plan. Following discussion, Council Member Sniadecki made a motion, seconded by Council Member King that Res. No. 99-21 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Under miscellaneous business,Mr.Fedder addressed the Council regarding Bill No. 29-99 which would approve the reissuance of not to exceed $ 12,920,485 Multifamily Housing Revenue Refunding Bonds (The Pointe at St. Joseph Project), Reissuance of 1999, Series A, B and C and Making Certain Other Findings and Determinations relative to the project (copy attached). Mr. Fedder noted that this was filed earlier as a resolutions and he determined that it should be in ordinance form. He will be requesting a suspension of the Bill so that the Council may have second&third reading and public hearing this evening. The Council Attorney noted that a motion to suspend requires a 9-0 vote, and would also require 6 notes to pass instead of a simple majority. Mr. Fedder noted that the suspension is necessary so that the closing can take place with lower interest rates. Also under miscellaneous business, Council President Coleman noted that there is a need to address speculative tax abatement in the South Bend Municipal Code. Council Member Kelly noted that he intends to have all tax abatement amendments included in one (1) bill since there is an on-going study commission in place to study the living wage issue currently. There being no further business to come before the Committee, Council Member Kelly adjourned the meeting at 4:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Council Member Roland Kelly, Chairperson Community and Economic Development Committee KCF:kmf Attachments