10-23-06 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 23, 2006 west across Eddy Street is the campus of the University of Notre Dame zoned “U” University. The “U” University District is established to promote the development, expansion and modernization of a major college or university campus, in which a diversity of uses, functions, and facilities is necessary to best perform the functions of a college or university and to permit appropriate uses necessary to facilitate the highest level of education. Edison Road and Twyckenham Drive (Ivy Road) have four lanes. Eddy Street has two lanes. The property will be served by municipal water and sewer. The Comprehensive Plan Policy Plan Goal 2. Objective C. Develop quality business areas to meet the retail and service needs of the planning area. The rezoning is consistent with the comprehensive economic objective. The land use plan makes no specific recommendation for the area. The property is currently undeveloped land. In the past this area has been used for soccer fields and parking for football games. The most desirable use for this property is university use, or higher density commercial or office uses. The surrounding property values should be unaffected with the rezoning since the zoning classification remains “U” University. It is responsible development and growth to permit higher density projects near major employment centers and established commercial areas. 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. The “U” University zoning designation remains consistent with its previous classification in the County. The rezoning allows an under utilized property to become and integral part of a growing commercial and residential area. Mr. Rich Deal, Attorney at Law, Barnes & Thornburg, 100 N. Michigan, South Bend, Indiana, stated that he is pleased to be here along with Mr. Greg Hackanen, Director of Asset Management and Real Estate Development on behalf of the University of Notre Dame. Mr. Deal advised that this bill relates to the annexation and rezoning of a tract of property that is approximately 26.2 acres located immediately south of the new realigned Edison Road. On the east side is the property is bound by Ivy and on the west side the property is bound by Eddy Street. Currently the property is zoned “U” University in the County and historically been used as vacant property that facilitates general campus activity including soccer fields as well as parking and other related uses. A request to annex this property into the City and rezoned “U” University in the City, which will facilitate three primary things. 1. It will create a very clear boundary for the City line and that being the north side of the realigned Edison St. as separating the county from the City. 2. This annexation will do, is bring the property within the City which will permit the City to move forward with its plans to promote an innovative park, which is proposed to be on the eastern side of this site. 3. This will allow the University to continue to use the property for “U” University purposes, just like it is currently being used or is permitted to be used under the County’s zoning ordinance, until further development and clarification and confirmation of the development plans for the retail center, which Ms. Payne addressed earlier come to peroration. More discussion on the west side of the property will come at a time when future rezonings are requested by this Council. Mr. Gregory Hakanen, Director of Asset Management & Real Estate Development, University of Notre Dame. Mr. Hakanen advised that this is part of a long developing plan that has been developed and in conjunction with the City and other area employers and with the participation of the residents themselves. Mr. Hakanen stated that the University will be back for rezoning when those details are more clear. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. The following individual spoke in favor of this bill. 10