HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-11-2024 Zoning & Annexation Meeting Minutes (Signed)OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
BIANCA L. TIRADO, CITY CLERK
ZONING & ANNEXATION
Committee Members Present:
Committee Members Absent:
Other Council Present:
Others Present:
Presenter( s):
Agenda:
MARCH 11, 2024 4:45 P.M.
Dr. Oliver Davis , Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers ,
Sheila Niezgodski , Karen L. White
None
Canneth Lee , Rachel Tomas Morgan, Sherry
Bolden-Simpson
Bianca L. Tirado , Elivet Quijada-Navarro ,
Danica Kulemeka , Matthew Neal , Bob
Palmer
Angela Smith, Skip Morrell
Sub s titute Bill No . 02-24 -711 Leland Ave
Rezoning
Bill No . 11-24 -Special Exception for
Professional Offices in S 1 Neighborhood 1
District 737 Beale St.
Please note the attached link for the meeting recording:
http://docs.southbendin.gov/WebLink/browse.aspx?dbid=0&mediaid=381054
Committee Chair Dr. Oliver Davis called to order the Zoning & Annexation Committee meeting
at 4:53 p.m.
Substitute Bill No. 02-24 -711 Leland Ave Rezoning
Skip Morrell , Zoning Specialist, with offices on the 14 th floor of the County-City Building, stated
that Bill No. 02-24 seeks to rezone the parcel located at 711 Leland Avenue from U2 to UF, and
seeks a special exception to allow for retail , service, and restaurant. Bill No. 02-24 comes from the
Planning Commission with a favorable recommendation.
Angela Smith, Dane, Hamer, and Associates , 1643 Commerce Drive, South Bend IN 46628 , states
that the petitioner also owns the No. Six (6) Scratch Kitchen restaurant. The vision for this location
is to convert the ground floor of the house into a small breakfast place. The petitioner is currently
Danica Kul e m e ka
CI-II EF DEPUT Y / C HI EF OF ST A FF
INTEGRITY I SERVICE I ACCESSIBILITY
Eli ve t Quijad a-Navar ro
D EPUTY / DIRECJ'O R OF P o u c v
Ma tth ew N eaJ
DIRECTO R o r SPECI AL P ROJEC J'S
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CITY OF SO UTH BEN D OFF ICE OF THE CL ERK
working with an architect and the Historic Preservation Commission to make sure their design is
sensitive to the area and that the exterior remains.
Councilmember Sherry Bolden-Simpson asked how many members of the surrounding
community were asked about this project.
Angela Smith stated that there was information given to the Near Northwest Neighborhood and
that information was also posted on their Facebook page. The owners also have had information
posted at their restaurant, and there have been casual conversations throughout the area.
Councilmember Bolden-Simpson requested more information regarding the retail aspect of the
proposal.
Angela Smith stated that the petitioners had not yet decided on the exact products they would want
to sell, but that it would be along the lines of deli sandwiches or other deli products.
Councilmember Canneth Lee stated that the No. Six (6) restaurant is looking to expand into the
breakfast market and utilizing the ground floor of this parcel would allow them to do so.
Angela Smith stated that the hours for this new breakfast place would be early, and therefore
complimentary to the No. Six (6) restaurant.
Councilmember Canneth Lee asked if the petitioner planned to keep the upstairs residential.
Angela Smith answered yes.
Committee Chair Dr. Davis asked if the rezoning gets passed will the Historic Preservation
Commission need to approve the changes being made.
Angela Smith stated that the any alterations to the exterior would have to be approved by the
Historic Preservation Commission.
Committee Chair Dr. Davis opened the public hearing.
Harry Simpson, member of Saint Paul Bethel Missionary Baptist Church , 2630 Prast Boulevard,
South Bend IN 46628, stated a concern regarding where the petitioner expects their customers to
park.
Pastor Gilbert C. Washington, 135 North Hawthorne Drive, South Bend IN 46617 , stated that he
had not yet had a full conversation regarding this project, stated a concern regarding parking, and
stated a concern on whether alcohol would be sold.
Angela Smith stated that the petitioner has not applied for a liquor license and that there cannot be
any tobacco or alcohol sold without Council approval of a special exception. The petitioner intends
to sell deli products as well as breakfast items like jams. The City has no minimum parking
standards and the plan for this property is for it to be a walk-up restaurant in the neighborhood.
There is also parking available at the No . Six (6) restaurant location, and because the hours for the
new .business are different than those of the No. Six (6) restaurant there should not be any concern
about a lack of parking spaces.
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CITY O F SOUTH BEN D OFFICE OF THE CLERK
Committee Member Karen L. White stated that it would be beneficial for there to be a conversation
between Pastor Gilbert C. Washington and the petitioner.
Committee Member Sheila Niezgodski requested information regarding the anticipated occupancy
amount.
Angela Smith stated that the petitioners haven't finished a design for the location yet , but the size
of the building would naturally restrict it from holding very many people .
Councilmember Lee stated that the idea for this location is to be part of a walking area , and not
bring a large amount of traffic . Councilmember Lee asked if the petitioner is online .
Angela Smith stated that the petitioner is not online, but that she would be happy to talk to Pastor
Washington . Angela Smith stated that they have tried contacting Saint Paul Bethel Baptist Church
but had not received an answer or a call back. Angela Smith stated that she had thought there was
an understanding regarding parking but is happy to speak with Pastor Washington.
Committee Chair Dr. Davis stated that at the South Bend Area Planning meeting he had suggested
the petitioner speak with Pastor Washington and recommends taking more time before putting Bill
N o. 02-24 in front of the Full Council.
Committee Member Niezgodski asked if there would be a way for Pastor Washington and the
petitioner to have a conversation before the 7:00pm meeting.
Angela Smith stated that she could answer many of Pastor Washington 's questions.
Councilmember Bolden-Simpson stated that there are unknown aspects within this project,
especially regarding parking, so it would be best to wait and allow for further conversations.
Councilmember Lee stated that Angela Smith was hired to help answer questions and represent
the petitioner if Pastor Washington wanted to speak with her.
Angela Smith stated that she can work to set up a meeting with the petitioner.
Committee Chair Dr. Davis stated that Bill No . 02-24 should not be pushed to the Full Council
before a meeting with Pastor Washington occurs .
Councilmember Lee clarified that he was not pushing to rush Bill No . 02-24 , rather he was
informing the Committee and Pastor Washington that if they had questions , Angela Smith would
be able to answer them.
Angela Smith stated that if Pastor Washington could make time to meet within the next two weeks
the petitioner could still make their deadlines.
Committee Vice Chair Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers stated that the petitioner and Pastor Washington
should have a meeting.
Committee Vice Chair Gooden-Rodgers motioned to table Bill No. 24-05 until March 25, 2024 ,
which was seconded by Committee Member Niezgodski and carried by a vote of four (4) ayes .
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CITY O F SOU TH BE D OFFI CE O F TH E C LE RK
Committee Chair Dr. Oliver Davis -Aye Committee Vice Chair Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers -Ay e
Committee Member Karen L. White -Aye Committee Member Sheila Niezgodski -Aye
Bill No. 11-24-Special Exception for Professional Offices in S1 Neighborhood 1 District 737
Beale St.
Skip Morrell , zoning specialist, with offices on the 14 th floor of the County-City Building, stated
that Bill No. 11-24 requests a use variance to allow for offices inside the building located at 737
Beale Street. The property is currently owned by the South Bend School Corporation, and they
plan to demolish the southwest portion of the property and convert the rest from a school building
to a new administration office. Bill No . 11-24 comes with a favorable recommendation from the
Board of Zoning Appeals .
Chuck Lehman, Lehmen & Lehman, 510 Lincolnway East, Mishawaka IN 46544 , stated that he
is representing the South Bend School Corporation and welcome s any questions.
Committee Chair Dr. Davis noted for the record that he i s an employee of the South Bend School
Corporation.
Committee Chair Dr. Davis held the public hearing and no members of the public spoke.
Committee Member White motioned to send Bill N o. 24 -06 to the Committee of the Whole with
a favorable recommendation, which was seconded by Committee Vice Chair Gooden-Rodgers and
carried by a vote of four (4) ayes.
Committee Chair Dr. Oli ver Davis -Aye Committee Vice Chair Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers -Aye
Committee Member Karen L. White -Aye Committee Member Sheila Niezgodski -Aye
Committee Chair Dr. Davis adjourned the Zoning & Anne xation Committee meeting at 5:26 p.m .
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