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REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 27,201
<br />high aspirations for this project, which, along with'the whole development of the Island, has the
<br />potential to really transform and be a great success story. But bac it up with compelling
<br />architectural and realistic economic vision that will continue the uccessful trajectory of the
<br />development of the past few years.
<br />Marge McKinsey, 719 West Washington Street, South Bend, IN, stated that the development
<br />blights on the west side of the river should not be replicated on the east side and that if the
<br />Commerce Center PUD project fails, "We will have an even worse blight on the area." Ms.
<br />McKinsey advocates design that makes for an attractive environment instead of building for
<br />building's sake. She stated that extra height could be afforded on the East Bank but not on the
<br />Island, as the buildings of importance there would be overshadowed by newer, taller
<br />development. She concluded by urging the Council to listen to Mr. Lykoudis' counsel.
<br />Rolanda Hughes, 1029 Riverside Drive, South Bend, IN, stated that she feels the public has been
<br />put in a difficult position, as the text amendment does not simplylI,laddress one (1) project but "lets
<br />loose something completely other." Ms. Hughes contended that die amendment would transform
<br />the low -rise character of the Island into a wall of high -rise builds gs. Focusing on the Commerce
<br />Center PUD, she called into question the parking needs of the project, given that the petitioner
<br />has stated that the project is proposed at its great height to justify the need for a parking garage.
<br />Comparing the proposed number of parking spaces of the project to existing parking lots, like
<br />that of the current Commerce Center and Martin's stores comparable to the one (1) in the
<br />proposed PUD, Ms. Hughes concluded that the project could cut up to one - hundred and eighty
<br />(180) parking spaces. At that point, the proposed height of the Commerce Center project would
<br />be unnecessary. She concluded by stating that if the text amendment passes, she would like to
<br />see the $5,000,000 the City granted to the project be returned to �he City's funds.
<br />Karen Schefineyer, 300 South St. Louis Boulevard, South Bend, IN, stated that the plan for one-
<br />hundred and fifty (150) feet is very high. Ms. Schefineyer stated that whatever is done to the
<br />Howard Park area will affect the East Bank and vice versa. She tated that the height of any
<br />building in the area east of the river should not exceed the height of church steeples. She stated,
<br />That was the goal. It was never to have a hundred and fifty (15 0) feet, especially along the river.
<br />You're going to screw up the views. She urged the Council tot e their time in making this
<br />decision and to consider it a decision with impact beyond one -h ndred (100) years.
<br />Glenn Bennett asked how many acres the Island occupies, in res onse to which Councilmember
<br />Gavin Ferlic explained that the Council does not answer questions in this portion of the Public
<br />Hearing. Mr. Bennett asked what measures would be in place to fight against erosion caused by
<br />the St. Joseph River. He stated that unless the Island occupies m ore than five (5) or ten (10)
<br />acres, should the ground on the Island get wet from heavy rain, it will turn to "mush." He stated,
<br />When it turns to mush, what have you got? You've got a disaster waiting to happen.
<br />Michalen Maternowski, 308 Parkovash Avenue, South Bend, IN, stated that Mr. Francis and Mr.
<br />Lykoudis expressed the main concerns that she had with the ordinance change, and she echoed
<br />their recommendation to the Council to consider the matter more carefully and slowly.
<br />Leah McLaughlin, 1120 Georgiana Street, South Bend, IN, stated that Paris, France —one of the
<br />most beautiful cities in the world- --does not have massive build 'ngs along its riverfront. Ms.
<br />McLaughlin stated, If you put a lot of money or investment in t e riverfront, a hundred and fifty
<br />(15 0) foot building makes no sense.
<br />Councilmember Gavin Ferlic stated that, regarding the East Ba as a transitional part of the
<br />City, it would make sense for buildings over one - hundred and fifty (15 0) feet to reside on the
<br />West Bank, buildings one - hundred and fifty (150) feet and under to reside on the Island, then
<br />buildings sixty (60) feet and under in the rest of the Central Business District, followed by lower
<br />heights in the residential area. Councilmember Ferlic also stated that the emails and phone
<br />calls —from residents in the area in question —were overwhel ngly in favor of the Commerce
<br />Center project.
<br />Councilmember Oliver Davis stated that an outside consultant was brought in when developing
<br />the Comprehensive Plan, adding, "And we belie�ed him." Councilmember Davis stated that
<br />when local businessmen like Rob Bartels believe in a local development project, it is for a good
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