10-26-15 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING October 26, 2015 paint, PCB, asbestos, ground water testing, and all soil samples have been completed, so now it is just working with the state. Councilmember Valarie Schey- Have we received federal grants for all that work? th Brock Zeeb of Community Investment Office on the 14 Floor - No. Redevelopment approved an environmental indemnity agreement where most of that work has been covered under and remediation of the site. Michael Danch, 1643 Commerce Dr. - What we are asking for is to rezone this from Light Industrial to the PUD District. What they are trying to do is renovate this entire structure all 750,000 sq. ft. plus add some additions. It will range from residential all the way to industrial use with some retail space, educational space with some incubator space for new development. Because that is not allowed under a single zone we have come through the PUD requirements. The PUD requirements for setbacks and landscaping for this entire area as well as parking ratios will mostly be phased in. What Matthew has shown you on our preliminary site plan are Building One-Hundred and Thirteen (113) and Building One-Hundred and Twelve (112) which are old Studebaker buildings. (Petitioner begins a slideshow) We are showing a two (2) part development. A surface parking lot for approximately three-hundred and fifty (350) cars and at some point that surface parking lot will be rebuilt into a five (5) story parking garage. Because of the amount of square footage this PUD has as it develops, more parking will be required per the City Code. We will go from three-hundred and fifty (350) to somewhere in the area of sixteen-hundred (1600). It will take several years to fully build out. Committee of the Whole Chairperson Dieter asked for questions from the Council. Derek Dieter, Chairperson of Committee of the Whole asked if there was anyone wishing to speak in favor or against and saw none. Councilmember Valerie Schey made a motion send the Bill 39-15 to the Council with a favorable recommendation. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of seven (7) ayes. 67-15 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 6, ARTICLES 1, 2,4, 6, 7, AND 11 OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE ADDRESSING MINIMUM PERMIT FEES AND SERVICE CHARGES OF THE BUILDING. Dr. Varner, Zoning and Annexation Committee, reported that they met this afternoon on this bill and due to a lack of quorum there is no recommendation. Presenter: Charles Bulot of the Building Department - I apologize for my no show at the committee meeting today. The Common Council recently approved a budget for the Building Department with a proposed fee increase as part of our revenue. That increase is a combination of an increase in the minimum permit fee amount from $30 to $40 and the contractor registration fee from $100 to $125 annually, there are no other proposals to the fee structure at this time. Since 2012 there has been a twenty-four percent (24%) increase in expenses for the Building Department on a per permit basis. Although we show a surplus when you consider all permit revenue the minimum permit fee does not cover our cost on a permit basis. We make money on our permit when we combine all revenue. We actually lose money when we do an inspection on a minimum fee permit. The permit fee structure is operating exactly as planned. The question is can we do a larger increase so we don’t have to keep coming back every year? The simple truth is no. Twenty-seven percent (27%) of all permits are minimum fee permits. Twenty-four (24%) of all permits are for utility reconnects. Most of the utility reconnects take place from November to February and are by people in need. As government officials it is our duty to make sure residents get good value and good government. Can we make the permit fee 100 or 500, sure, but that’s probably out of the reach for a family of five (5) that is struggling to keep the heat on in the middle of winter. I think this fee increase is good compromise. I ask for your time and consideration of this fee increase. 5