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REGULAR MEETING September 25, 2017
<br /> six (26) in our SF2 zoningso, barely less than one (1) additional unit. We've got fifty-six (56)
<br /> additional parking spaces. If we required one (1)per unit, that would be twenty-six (26), and we
<br /> have a total of eighty-two (82). The cut-through street was one (1) of their issues initially,but
<br /> we've addressed that with the private drive on the outside of the property that will slow traffic
<br /> through the neighborhood—again, it is a private drive—and, in addition to that,we've added a
<br /> speed bump into one (1) of our written commitments. Additionally, one (1) of their concerns was
<br /> the number of variances, and the variances have dropped from the initial proposal of thirty (30)
<br /> units down to twenty-six (26). Some of the design has changed, as well. On the outside corners
<br /> of the entire parcel, our setback variance is not required anymore. In addition to that,today, in
<br /> the eleventh hour, we scrambled to come up with some additional written commitments to satisfy
<br /> some of the neighbors. The project has many benefits. The development will be a model example
<br /> for other properties in the area and community. So, this is going to be a poster child. It's an
<br /> excellent transition property from the commercial to the north moving to the residential on the
<br /> south border of the property. Additionally, there will be a continued annuity of property taxes
<br /> from this parcel, estimated to be about$164,000 a year from previous non-tax-producing use. I
<br /> would ask for a favorable recommendation.
<br /> Councilmember John Voorde addressed Mr. Matthews, stating, Looking at this rendition, here,
<br /> of what it may look like: you show over seventy(70)trees. Obviously you can't be expected to
<br /> lay out the money for a detailed landscape plan at this point until you know whether or not it's
<br /> going to go, and you agreed to a two-and-a-half(2 %2) inch commercial caliper. Do you think
<br /> seventy (70) trees depicted here will be something like—is this a fair representation, in other
<br /> words?
<br /> Mr. Matthews responded, Yes, I would say that they are a fair representation. I am going to refer
<br /> to Mike Danch on this. Mike is a professional landscape architect and these drawings come from
<br /> him.
<br /> Mr. Danch stated, Yes, this would be a fair representation of what we're going to end up doing
<br /> as the result of what you see for the development of the twenty-six (26)homes.
<br /> Councilmember Broden stated, The petitioner just said something important, and I want to
<br /> capture this—and I'm going to be doing this, going forward; I have done it in the past, I'm going
<br /> to continue to do it. The State code,the rezoning criteria, that we are all asked to consider, to my
<br /> left and to my right: one (1),pay regional regard to the Comprehensive Plan of the City of South
<br /> Bend; two (2), current conditions and the character of current structures and uses in each district;
<br /> third criteria,the most desirable use for which the land in each district is adapted; four (4), the
<br /> conservation of property values throughout the jurisdiction; and five (5), responsible growth and
<br /> development. So, five (5) criteria that we as Councilmembers are looking at with regard to your
<br /> project, any other project that comes before us for rezoning. I'm sorry, that's the teacher in my
<br /> background, but I do think it helps focus our conversations not only here tonight, but it has
<br /> focused our conversations that go back to when this was first presented in May, and the dialogue
<br /> that has been happening with residents. And the bodies that made the recommendations to us—
<br /> the Area Plan Commission, the staff,the comments by our City Planning Department. So, I just
<br /> want to take this opportunity to get that in the record. We have been faithful to doing that in the
<br /> past. I think it needs to be stated when we do consider rezoning as a point of emphasis and
<br /> education.
<br /> This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and
<br /> opponents were given an opportunity to be heard.
<br /> Those from the public wishing to speak in favor of this bill:
<br /> Tim Corcoran, Director of Planning for the City of South Bend, with offices on the 14th Floor of
<br /> the County-City Building, South Bend, IN, stated that the developer has worked with DCI from
<br /> the beginning of the process and has acted upon every recommendation made by DCI. Mr.
<br /> Corcoran stated that the project is not in a TIF area and therefore is not receiving TIF money.
<br /> Tax abatements, as well, have not been and most likely will not be discussed regarding the
<br /> project. Mr. Corcoran stated that there is proper fire separation of the houses in this project. He
<br /> concluded, So, I think, overall, it's a pretty good project that we want to see successful, and we
<br /> look forward to working with the developers as they move forward on this project.
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