HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-27-14 Press Release - Improved Local Zoning ProceduresCommon Council
South Bend 4`
NEWS RELEASE
Date: Thursday, March 27, 2014, 11 a.
From: 15` District Council Member Timc�3t "` , ontact: 538 -1936
Improved Local Zoning Procedures to be Implemented by the
Zoning & Annexation Committee By Utilizing Departmental Reports
Effective immediately, as Chairman of the Council's Zoning and Annexation Committee, I will
ask for departmental reports from the City of South Bend's Legal Department, Code
Enforcement Department, Building Department and Police Department of any violations, history
or concerns with any properties and /or property owners regarding quality of life issues. That data
will be used to supplement all of the information received pursuant to required statutory and
ordinance provisions, which establish the zoning and special exception criteria when such
requests are made to the Common Council.
I believe that the additional data is crucial for myself and my Council colleagues in order to
make the best decision on any proposed zoning use change coming before this Council and for
the residents of the City of South Bend.
The request for this information will be straight forward and reporting back will be simple. It can
be in the form of an email and as concise as an email back. If there are issues, a summary
statement backing each department's claim will be sufficient. I will either read all reports into
the record during committee meetings or have them added as part of the council packet regarding
the respected bill or resolution before us. In this way, there will be greater accountability and
transparency.
As noted in the Indiana Code, our zoning laws are to "encourage and improve the health, safety,
convenience, and welfare of citizens and to plan for the future development of communities ",
which also include the responsibility to see that:
"...residential areas provide healthful surroundings for family life ... and that the growth
of the community is commensurate with and promotive of the efficient and economical
use of public funds..."
The additional information is aimed to assist both the Zoning and Annexation Committee and all
Council Members in making the most informative land use and planning decisions possible.
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