HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-12-2026 Zoning and Annexation Committee MinutesOFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
BIANCA L. TIRADO, CITY CLERK
ZONING & ANNEXATION
Committee Members Present:
Committee Members Absent:
Other Council Members Present:
Others Present:
Presenters:
Agenda:
JANUARY 12, 2026, 4:15 P.M.
Dr. Oliver Davis, Rachel Tomas Morgan,
Karen L. White, Troy Warner
None
Canneth Lee, Sharon McBride*, Sheila
Niezgodski
Bianca Tirado, Matthew Neal, Jasmine
Jackson, Veronica Pitt-Payne, Bob Palmer
Michael Divita, Mark Dellostritto
Bill No. 80-25 -Amending Chapter 21 of the
South Bend Municipal Code to Make
Miscellaneous Changes for Clarification
and Consistency to Simplify Development
Process and to Achieve Higher Quality
Development (Third Substitute)
Members marked with an asterisk(*) are in virtual attendance.
Please note the attached link for the meeting recording:
https://docs.southbendin.gov/WebLink/browse.aspx?dbid=0&mediaid=403201
Committee Chair Dr. Oliver Davis called to order the Zoning and Annexation Committee meeting
at 4:21 P.M.
Bill No. 80-25 -Amending Chapter 21 of the South Bend Municipal Code to Make
Miscellaneous Changes for Clarification and Consistency to Simplify Development Process
and to Achieve Higher Quality Development (Third Substitute)
Committee Member Karen L. White moved to accept Substitute Bill No. 80-25, which was
seconded by Committee Vice Chair Rachel Tomas Morgan and carried by a vote of four (4) ayes.
I Committee Chair Dr. Oliver Davis -Aye I Committee Vice Chair Rachel Tomas Morgan -Aye
Jasmine Jackson
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Matthew cal
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Veronica Pitt-Payne
DIRl'.CroR OF SPECI.\I. PROJl'C:T:,
EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY ! INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT
300 City Hall j 215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. I South Bend, Indiana 46601 Ip. 574.235.9221 If. 574.235.9173 1 www.southbendin.gov
@ CITY OF SOUfH BEND I OFFlCE OF THE CITY CLERK
I Committee Member Troy Warner -Aye I Committee Member Karen L. White -Aye
Michael Divita, Assistant Director of Planning, with offices on the fifth (5th) floor of City Hall,
South Bend, IN 46601 , presented the bill. He gave an overview of the proposed changes to the
zoning ordinance and spoke about why the updates are necessary.
Mark Dellostritto, Zoning Specialist, with offices on the fifth (5th) floor of City Hall, South Bend,
IN 4660 l, continued the presentation. He highlighted key changes, including that gas stations,
smoke shops, and liquor stores will require special exceptions where previously allowed by-right.
The bill comes with favorable recommendations from the Plan Commission.
Committee Member White asked about special exceptions and developer involvement in the
ordinance changes.
Michael Divita confirmed that gas station and liquor store zoning would have more Council
oversight, although the changes should reduce the overall number of special exceptions coming
before Council. He said many of the changes are based on feedback from developers.
Committee Vice Chair Tomas M9rgan asked about the changes to minimum lot size and
temporary signs.
Michael Divita said there was previously no minimum lot size, and the revised ordinance
establishes a minimum. He said full-size temporary signs for special events and construction
would now be allowed.
Mark Dellostritto added that temporary signs are permitted for thirty (30) days, which can be
renewed for a maximum of four (4) months.
Council Vice President Sheila Niezgodski asked about the changes to open signs, curb
cuts, and entrances for home occupations.
Mark Dellostritto said the restrictions on illuminated open signs were removed from the
ordinance. He said the goal of the curb cut changes was to reduce the number of curb cuts. The
ordinance was also updated to allow home occupations to have separate business entrances at the
side or back of the home.
Council President Canneth Lee expressed support for the changes to gas station zoning. He asked
about accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and auto repair lots.
Michael Divita said the zoning ordinance requires the owner to live on the property when an ADU
is occupied. He said they considered removing the owner occupancy requirement from the
ordinance but ultimately did not due to concerns about short-term rentals. He confirmed that
immobile cars would not be allowed to remain on auto repair lots longer than fourteen (14) days.
Councilmember Sharon McBride thanked the presenters and said she would like Council to be
more involved in developing quality-of-life ordinances.
Committee Vice Chair Tomas Morgan thanked the presenters. She expressed support for the gas
station zoning changes.
EXC ELLENCE I ACCOUN TABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERM ENT
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® CITY OF SOlITH BEND I OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
Committee Chair Dr. Davis held the public hearing, and nobody spoke.
Committee Chair Dr. Davis asked about the timeline for future zoning ordinance updates.
Michael Divita said there will be smaller, more targeted updates every six (6) to twelve (12)
months going forward. He said the next update will be in a few months.
Committee Vice Chair Tomas Morgan moved to send Substitute Bill No. 80-25 to the Committee
of the Whole with a favorable recommendation, which was seconded by Committee Member
Warner and carried by a vote of four ( 4) ayes.
Committee Chair Dr. Oliver Davis -Aye Committee Vice Chair Rachel Tomas Morgan -Aye
Committee Member Karen L. White -Aye
, Committee Chair Dr. Davis adjourned the Zoning and Annexation
5 P.M.
EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT
300 City Hall I215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. I South Bend, Indiana 46601 Ip. 574.235.9221 If. 574.235.91731 www.southbendin.gov