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REGULAR MEETINGAUGUST 22, 2005
<br />They have played basketball with their children, some came for dinner, some have come
<br />for help in paying their electricity bill, water bills, to get the water turned back on, and
<br />they have come with buckets when their water has been turned off. The Hansel Center
<br />was currently being vacated, the Funeral Home was already vacant for quite awhile as
<br />was the Natatorium. A duplex across the street had been vacant for a long time, when we
<br />realize that the need was so great; they began to think about renting that property. Seeing
<br />that this property had been vacant for so long, this would be a good thing to occupy it. A
<br />staff member Ben Peters was married to Liza Peters last year and it was their intention to
<br />occupy one-half of that duplex and house another family in the other half and that is what
<br />was done. The Catholic Worker then rented the house next door, which had been through
<br />a series of tenants, and likewise they believed that they would bring greater stability to
<br />the neighborhood. They would like to keep a dialogue open with the neighbors. To talk
<br />about things in the neighborhood and work things out.
<br />Mr. Michael Baxter, 1126 W. Washington Street, South Bend, Indiana, thanked the
<br />Council for giving him the time to talk. Mr. Baxter advised that he would like to address
<br />what he believes as a good faith response to the zoning notification that he has received
<br />from the City. October 22, 2004, was the first notice, within a week or so he went to
<br />Code Enforcement, and learned the process, they made a site plan, prepared to apply for
<br />zoning, and followed the guidelines given by Tom Anderson, who was in Code
<br />Enforcement. Mr. Anderson instructed him to contact the Councilperson for that District,
<br />which he did. Then he went to the Neighborhood Organization, which the Council
<br />member instructed him to do. He went to the leaders of the South Bend Heritage
<br />Foundation because they were advised by neighbors that that would be a good thing to
<br />do. At the November 23, meeting with the neighborhood they were told about problems
<br />that neighbors had with the Catholic Worker House’s endeavors. Given the conflict, Mr.
<br />Baxter stated that he met with one member of the neighborhood organization, who urged
<br />that the Catholic Worker House not apply for a variance, because it could work to the
<br />disservice of the neighborhood. It was suggested that the Catholic Worker House
<br />reduced their numbers, which they did. To have a sit down with members of the
<br />neighborhood organization and members of the community, and to look into having a
<br />drop in center downtown, which they have done.In was in the spirit of that dialogue that
<br />on February 22, Mr. Baxter went to a neighborhood organization meeting to propose this
<br />format for working it out. That was not received favorably. Mr. Baxter then stated that
<br />they went back to the City Administration on March 2, Ms. McGowen and Mr. Baxter
<br />met with Catherine Brucker to find out what our situation was in the City. When he
<br />walked into that meeting Carol-Ann Nash was also present. Mr. Baxter stated that he
<br />was told that the Catholic Worker House was conforming to code period. A week later,
<br />the Catholic Worker contacted their lawyer Kent Hull, and he said not to respond until
<br />they hear further from the City. The Catholic Worker House did not hear from the City
<br />thth
<br />until June 14. On August 8, Kent Hull, Chuck Leone, Ben Peters, Margie Pfeil met
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<br />and agreed to resume the process of application for rezoning and do it by August 25 and
<br />that where the Catholic Worker House stands on this process. The Catholic Worker
<br />House believes that they should have a hearing for the situation in the neighborhood,
<br />which they believe is complex. The Catholic Worker House would welcome to mediate
<br />in any way they can.
<br />Marion Newbill, no address given, stated that she has been a resident of the neighborhood
<br />for over 43 years. She spoke on behalf of the Catholic Worker House. Ms. Newbill
<br />advised that she attends the Catholic Worker House, to share a meal, visit, and talk with
<br />the people of the House. Ms. Newbill stated that she sees no problem at the house, if
<br />there is a problem, it should be solved. It is a nice place, the children of the
<br />neighborhood go there to play ball. Ms. Newbill advised that she does not know of any
<br />circumstances where the police have been called. She urged the City to allow the
<br />Catholic Worker House to continue.
<br />Mr. Jim Ludwig, 925 W. Washington Street, South Bend, Indiana, advised that he lives
<br />about a block and half away from the Catholic Worker House. Mr. Ludwig stated that
<br />he has made it a point to get to know the members of the Catholic Worker House very
<br />well. He walks by everyday and has been over at least ten times for dinner, often goes to
<br />talk to staff and residents of the house.In all those times, he has never encountered
<br />anything harmful or dangerous to the neighborhood. He believes that the Catholic
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