02-13-17 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 13, 2017 Robin Vida, 50432 Righter Lane, South Bend, IN, stated that there were no walking options on Adams Road for her and her son. Ms. Vida stated, The last thing we need is exactly what everyone's been talking about: we don't need more large buildings. Nimtz Parkway has ample space, I feel. As I drive it, I see very nice buildings that no one's ever actually utilized to their capacity. Ms. Vida recommended sidewalks and biking paths as a way to make things easier. She stated that if she had known that this development was coming, she would not have purchased her first home in the area. She asked for the bill to be tabled or abandoned, stating, They need to leave the northern part of the City into the County alone. Debbie Green, 50268 Righter Lane, South Bend, IN, asked, Who is paying for the roads that need to be done before you do any of this? The City? Ms. Green urged that the roads need to be fixed before this project goes forward. She asked if any of the businesses going into the proposed building would get tax abatements. She stated that anyone signed on for a five (5) year tax abatement should be required to sign on for another ten (10) years, otherwise those businesses will leave and there will be nothing but empty buildings. She asked the members of the Council if any of them had been to and seen the area. She encouraged them to do so, stating, You don't live out there. You have no clue. Mr. McMorrow returned to the podium and stated, Back in 2005, the petition was made not only to rezone this particular property, but to annex it into the City. So, these properties were owned by the County. One of the things that Jeff and I heard at the German Township Public Library was that there never has been a problem with the public finding out about what's going on. This whole process in 2005 and what we are experiencing now has come with a lot of public attention. I honestly think that's a good thing. Corbitt Kerr and I are going to work very closely on making sure that this intersection is designed appropriately to be safe. One of the comments Mr. Nicholas made about the three- hundred (300) foot offset: we talked about that at the public session at the library. What we are trying to do is promote that north -south traffic and not allow that traffic east and west. When moving that road any place, it can't be closer to the bypass, because that will do one (1) of two (2) things: it would forever eliminate the possibility that there's an interchange there, or deny access to the property, because most of us agree that it shouldn't be on Mayflower right now. Regarding the parking count, there's staggered shifts at CTDI. There aren't two- hundred (200) people per shift, so they manage that so that there are never more people in the building than there are parking spaces. Mr. Smoke added, Overall, there is less than two percent (2 %) vacancy in St. Joseph County for industrial buildings like this. There have been a lot of comments tonight about business going elsewhere —there aren't any other buildings around right now. This is the only location that can handle a building like this and the tenant would like the visibility on the highway. That is one of their big priorities, to have the advertising and branding ability of the bypass. They looked at sites along the toll road, and they didn't work out. South Bend is known for its distribution capabilities and its capabilities to reach a certain amount of population within a twelve (12) hour drive. I think it only makes sense to recognize that and help it grow and foster. Councilmember Karen White stated that the conversation between the developer and the neighborhood had only begun and needed to continue. Councilmember White stated that there was not much room in any other part of the City for a development of this scope. She assured those residents of the County who were present that the Council does listen to them, even if it does not seem as if they do. She stated, I think it will work itself out. Councilmember White encouraged the developer to continue to have conversations with the neighbors, the City, and the County, especially given the infrastructure concerns brought up over the course of the evening. Councilmember Tim Scott stated that he agreed with everything that Councilmember White stated. Councilmember Scott added that a duty that the Council has within the City is to maximize the developments and the property within the City. He stated that this was an issue of borders between the County and City, and that the best thing that can be done is to look at how those transition lines are. He stated that zoning decisions always leave a certain number of people unhappy, but that the good thing that comes out of these proceedings is conversation on topics such as improving streets, etc. He stated that maximizing these pieces of property that have been a part of the City for a long time was necessary to bringing revenue to the City to fix things like roads. Councilmember Scott stated that Elkhart County would die for a project like 17