08-14-06 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 14, 2006 of outdoor sales or outdoor operations. The site is 0.35 acres in size. The 1,300 square foot building covers 8.5% of the site. Seven parking spaces and concrete cover 73% of the site. There is 18.5% open space. Prior to the adoption of the new zoning map in 2004 this parcel was zoned “C” Commercial, “D” Height and Area. Under the old “C” Commercial designation, gasoline service station with repair was allowed. Prairie Avenue (State Road 23) is a two-lane road at this location.MACOG counted 6,998 cars a day on Prairie Avenue at a point north of Gertrude Street in 2004. The site will be served by municipal water and sanitary sewer. The City Engineer requested a drainage plan and stated that all work in the right of way needs to be approved by the Indiana Department of Transportation. The Comprehensive Plan Policy Plan Goal 2 encourages the economic development of the county and its municipalities.Objective C: Develop quality business areas to meet the retail and service needs of the planning area. The petition is consistent with the Comprehensive economic policy. The area is not designated for a specific use by the Land Use Plan. The Rum Village Neighborhood Action Plan (May 1995), under the section Problems and Land use Issues, Commercial Activity (Pg. 22) states: “Opportunities for both infill commercial development and eliminating store vacancies along the major arterials through the neighborhood. Strengthening the commercial base of the neighborhood by reducing the number of vacancies will give neighborhood residents a wider variety of shopping opportunities while also contributing to the long-term stability of the Rum Village Neighborhood.” This petition is consistent with the Commercial Activity Goal of the Rum Village Neighborhood Action Plan. There is an abandoned service station/automobile repair building with two service bays on the premise. The surrounding area consists mostly of single family residences. There are commercial uses both one block west and east of the site. The most desirable use would be for a commercial activity that will serve and benefit the surrounding neighborhood. Should this property be rezoned, surrounding property values should not be negatively affected. Re-use of an abandoned property will remove a neighborhood liability. It is responsible development and growth to encourage the redevelopment of vacant buildings. The redevelopment of this site will require it to conform to current design and landscaping standards. Based on information available prior to the public hearing the staff recommends that the petition be sent to the Common Council with a favorable recommendation. With the recently updated zoning ordinance landscaping requirements, the approval of this petition would help to beautify this site and the neighborhood. The residents of the surrounding area could be well served by a viable business. It is consistent with the goals of the Comprehensive Plan. The rezoning would be consistent with the Commercial Activity goals of the Rum Village Neighborhood Action Plan. Mr. Bernard Feeney, Registered Land Surveyor, 715 South Michigan Street, South Bend, Indiana, representing the property owner, Mr. Greg Ferro, 1832 Prairie Avenue, South Bend, Indiana. Mr. Feeney advised that the property sought to be rezoned is located at 1954 Prairie Avenue. It is desired and requested that this property be rezoned from LB Local Business District to CB Community Business District to allow for an automobile repair shop in the existing 2 stall garage and asphalt parking lot. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. There being no one present wishing to speak to the Council either in favor of or in opposition to this bill, Councilmember Puzzello made a motion for favorable recommendation to full Council concerning this bill. Councilmember Pfeifer seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. BILL NO. 32-06 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 4323 SOUTH MICHIGAN STREET AND 119 NORMAN STREET, COUNCILMANIC DISTRICT NUMBER FIVE (5) IN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA 4