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REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 14, 2016 <br />vision. However when she discovered the extreme height that is when she became opposed to the <br />project. She stated she is in favor of the project but not at that height. We need to revisit the East <br />Bank plan but putting that sized building at that site is not the right thing to do. <br />Amaliza Blocke, 2015 East Madison Street South Bend, stated she came with opinions but has <br />developed some new thoughts. The East Bank Village is a great idea and its something she looks <br />forward to. It is nice to have something quaint and small and have things to do. She stated <br />apparently she is the abnormal millennial. The idea that we are going to put in this beautiful <br />expensive building is not really what she wants for this neighborhood. She stated she teaches at <br />Adams High School and this is not what is best for them because they will eventually pay this <br />cost. There are a lot of young people who cannot afford this. <br />Tom Panzica, with Panzika Building Corp. at 416 East Monroe Street, stated he is an investor in <br />the property called the Wharf at Colfax and the river which is across from this property. He <br />stated he is not against development or a grocery store downtown. The question we are <br />considering is essentially is this development right for this neighborhood at this time. There have <br />been some specious arguments made in support of that argument tonight. We have been told this <br />project must be twelve (12) stories and an all or nothing deal. That is false. We were told we <br />need to dispense with the 2008 plan because Mr. Mathews is planning thirty (30) years out. <br />However, that plan was put together with input from the community and at the cost of $50,000 to <br />the City. It is a good plan which some developers are following. We have also been told that Mr. <br />Mathews' development will build community and a sense of new urbanism but this plan in this <br />place tramples on the 2008 plan that the community adopted. We have also been told that this <br />proposal would be welcomed with. open arms in more enlightened cities such as Indianapolis. He <br />stated Indianapolis has a neighborhood very analogous to the East Bank Village, which is named <br />Broadripple, and they only have a sixty -five (65) foot height in their zoning. We have also been <br />told that the BZA has established a precedent which was allowed to the Wharf site. That is an <br />incongruous argument. Finally, this project should be of concern because nobody who has been <br />involved in this project, while they have talent and nice degrees, does not have a registered <br />licensed architect who passed the State of Indiana Board Examination. That is concerning with <br />such a large project. This would be a great project across the river and an OK project if you <br />lower the height. <br />Hannah Osteimer, 1009 East Jefferson Blvd., stated she is a millennial as well and everyone has <br />been saying what we need as a demographic. She stated she needs something she can afford. <br />Two hundred and forty (240) apartments would be awesome but she would not be able to afford <br />that. The townhomes Mr. Mathews built sell for $800,000 and it is hard to see a twelve (12) story <br />building in a village. It is great that Mr. Mathews is committed to our neighborhood but it is just <br />too big. People who are working who don't make very much money don't have sixteen (16) <br />hours a month to volunteer. She stated she is in support of a development just not this one. <br />Frank Perri, 234 South Coquillard, stated he finds himself fairly responsible for the shaken <br />bushes tonight amongst the community. Some developers feel speaking in front of the City may <br />conflict with their business dealings with the City but they all believe the character of the East <br />Bank and the plan should be kept in place. This development violates almost every standard that <br />has been set in the neighborhood. Mr. Perri stated he was heavily involved in the project of the <br />plan in 2008, we should ask those companies that developed the plan what they think as opposed <br />to believing somehow that everyone here tonight is the expert. He stated he thinks things are <br />changing in South Bend but we need to be careful. He stated a grocery store will come <br />downtown because he believes in it and will invest his own money in it. He stated in the past <br />three and a half (3 %2) months he has invested $3 million in this community not only in the Wharf <br />site but also other buildings. Mr. Perri detailed his financial commitments to the City. He stated <br />if we are going to come together and build a community we should build consensus. It is a little <br />disingenuous of Mr. Mathews for him to stand here and promote a project that is one hundred <br />and seventy -five (175) feet tall when he said back in December 2013 that changing the policy <br />from five (5) stories to eight (8) stories will have drastic consequences to the neighborhood. Now <br />Mr. Mathews is saying that was only because the Wharf site looks suburban, that is an opinion <br />not a fact. <br />22 <br />