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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-10-00 Zoning & Annexation Qommitt* . port: Zoning 40 lieu xation Committe The April 10,2000 meeting of the Zoning and Annexation Committee was called to order by Council Member Andrew Ujdak at 3:30 p.m. In the Council Informal Meeting Room. Council Member Ujdak noted that the Committee's Chairperson,Council Member White was at a funeral. Persons in attendance included Council Members: Aranowski, Pfeifer, Kelly,King, Varner, Ujdak, Coleman and Kirsits;Kenneth Lax, Bill Owen,Jack Hartsell, Kathy Brucker,Ed Talley, Charlotte Huddleston, Mr. Nabaa, Terry Bland of the &MO 3i IZ fti lit V ibitItt,and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Ujdak noted that the first item on the agenda was to review Bill No. 00-27 which is a petition from the Board of Zoning Appeals for the property located at 911 South Michigan Street. Mr. Jack S. Hartsell,the petitioner,noted that he is seeking a special exception to allow a combined use in the"C"commercial area for a commercial residential use. He noted that the property is currently the"South Bend State Bank"He proposes to sell by appointment only antique clocks and pianos from the location. Kathy Brucker of the Building Department stated that the Board of Zoning Appeals held a public hearing on the matter on March 16, 2000,and recommends the petition favorably to the Council. She noted that it is the Board's belief that the combined uses of a retail business and a residential unit would enhance the public health and safety of the building by providing security. She noted that the building has sat vacant for numerous years and by permitting such uses it would enhance development in the area. Ed Talley spoke in favor of the petition noting that the building was a local historic landmark. Following discussion, Council Member Coleman made a motion, seconded by Dr. Varner that Bill No. 00-27 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. The Committee then reviewed Bill No. 6-00 which is an ordinance which would annex into the city certain land in Centre Township. Mr. Bill R. Owen of BOSH Design Group, Inc. Made the presentation. He noted that the property is located south of Johnson Road and west of Miami. It contains 89.674 acres and currently contains a church and a single family home subdivision. It will be developed into 130 lots for residential use. Council Member Varner inquired into the status of the roads in the subject area. Mr. Owen represented that additional sureties have been required so that they will meet city standards. No formal action was taken on the Bill. The Committee then reviewed Bill No. 11-00 which is a request to designate the Angela Boulevard Bridge an historic landmark. Mr. J. Edward Talley, Director of the Historic Preservation Commission, made the presentation. He noted that this measure had been continued from the March 13th Council meeting at the request of the petitioner. The bridge is a three-span Arch Melan bridge constructed of reinforced concrete having two(2)central pillars with corbelled string course cones at the pillar bases and plain spandrels. It is rated as a significant 12. In response to a question from Dr. Varner it was noted that the bridge will be rehabilitated in 2003 by the County(copy of the March 24,2000 letter from the County Engineer attached). The Council Attorney noted that she and Council Member White met with tle County Commissioners and the County Engineer following the last Committee meeting on this measure(copy of letter requesting Zoning and Annexation Committee Meeting April 10,2000 Page 2 said meeting attached). She noted that it was an informational meeting and that she was unaware of any further update from the Commissioners as of this date unless Council Member White had received such communication. She also noted that the Commissioners were sent notice of this Committee meeting. Following discussion, Council Member Aranowski made a motion, seconded by Dr. Varner that Bill No. 11-00 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Council Member Ujdak noted that the next item on the agenda was to review Bill No. 10- 00 which is a request to establish the property located at 3016 Portage Avenue an historic landmark. Mr.J. Edward Talley requested that this measure to continued until October 9th or October 23rd to permit all parties to continue discussion. He noted that a meeting with the Portage Manor Board lasting over two(2) hours was held in 1999,and that discussion of upcoming developments on the property were being discussed. The Council Attorney noted that this item was also discussed with the County Commissioners when she and Council Member White met to discuss both Bill Nos. 10-00 and 11-00,but as of this time she had not received any further update. Following discussion, Council Member Coleman made a motion, seconded by Council Member Varner that Bill No. 10-00 be continued to the October 10,2000 meeting of the Council and remain in this Committee for further review and recommendation,all at the request of the petitioner. The motion passed. Under miscellaneous business, members of the Association for Social Change presented documents to the Committee for their consideration(copies of the statement read by Mr. Kenneth Lax, the listing of five(5)problem properties and the listing of four(4) major issues attached). Mr. Kenneth Lax,a local barber,addressed the Council as a member of the Association for Social Change. He noted that his association was concerned about the entire community and that they were coming"not to offend but to amend". He stated that the far westside was neglected environmentally and socially. He noted in particular the dumping on Linden Road and the Beck Lake area's unsanitary conditions. He proposed that his group would pursue matters by plebiscite if the appropriate governmental bodies would fail to act on their concerns. In the Association's opinion the street repair programs,sanitation and maintenance programs are currently discriminatory and in violation of federal law. Mr. Lax suggested three(3) proposals for the city to consider, namely: 1. that an ordinance be passed declaring the Beck Lake area environmental distraught so that corrective action could be taken and that cameras be placed on Linden Road to identify the illegal dumpers but that such cameras be place so that privacy rights would not be violated;2. That an ordinance which would reduce the water rates for seniors who participate in litter pick up in their neighborhoods along sidewalks and public ways be passed;and that "sensitivity legislation"be considered with would prohibit force outs of tenants. He provided a list of problem properties and left a copy of a video depicting the problems in the area. Mr. Nabaa then addressed the Committee and noted his long involvement of working on such social issues in the area and stressed that the issues which the Association for Social Change are serious. Mr. Nabaa stated that he looks forward to working with the Council on these issues. Council President Pfeifer encouraged the Council to review the video tape. She noted that the members of the Association for Social Change had contact her and Council Member White about these issues. The senior citizen participation program pould allow seniors to pick up trash and that a possible reduction of utility fees was proposed by the Association. ri / - - - Zoning and Annexation Committee April 10,2000 Page 3 Charlotte Huddleston, a member of the Association for Social Change, stated that she would also encourage the City to consider engaging the youth of our community into programs to pick up trash along with the seniors. Council Member Kirsits inquired as to whether the Association for Social Change had been - in contact with Mr.Turner since many of these same issues were recently discussed with him. It was noted that they had been in contact with mr. Turner recently. Council Member Ujdak thanked the members of the Association for Social Change for bringing these matters to the attention of the Council and noted that they would be sent to the appropriate Council Committees and Administrative Departments for review. There being no further business to come before the Committee, Council Member Ujdak adjourned the meeting at 4:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Council Member Andrew Ujdak Zoning and Annexation Committee KCF:kmf Attachments •