08-13-18 Zoning and Annexation - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY OF SOUTH BEND I OFFICE OF THE CLERK Committeemember Broden asked, With regard to the petitioner and ownership, could someone address this project? Council has seen this before and I'm trying to understand the relationship in roles of the various individuals on the petition. Kathy Schuth, Director of the Near Northwest Neighborhood with offices located at 1007 Portage Avenue, replied, This is a proposed low-income housing tax credit project. The ownership is very confusing in that we are combining different parcels. Also, this will be the sixth (6th) time submitting this application. The way we have done it is the main portion of it is an existing building. Most recently the Ford Distribution Company was in there. The County has access to the ownership of the building through taxes that are due. We have applied to the County and we have a County Commissioner resolution to receive the building if we go through the legal process.Now what we've done every year then is, when we did not receive the low-income housing credits, we just simply did not complete the legal process. The building is still, officially, in the hands of Richard and Linda Ford. They live in Florida now and they have interest or stake in the building at this point. I think there are over$250,000 of back taxes on the property. They have no intention of swooping back in and regaining the property but we are, again, on the sixth (6th) attempt and we are all set up with the County Commissioners to receive the building if we go through the legal process. We've timed that so we won't continue that process if we don't receive the funding. We are also working with the City as there is City-owned property and that is where there will be a second (2nd)building. We have been working with the Department of Community Investment and have an agreement similar to that of the agreement we have with the County and the tax credits. We are, in all essence, the petitioner even though at this point we actually own none of the land. We have an agreement set in place with the County, with the City and with THRIVE Michiana and Mike Keen. Mr. Keen has already stated his interest in developing Single-Family housing there should this all fall through. So there is actually a contingency plan in place as well. This is why we prefer to have a special use exception for the parking rather than switching the zoning. I will say that our preference is kind of low stakes. Actually, with the Mixed-Use District we are okay on parking and we don't need this to complete what is required for the project itself. Wei ust think this really helps the project. Committeemember Broden followed up,And the two (2)other lots are owned by Mr. Keen,is that correct? Ms. Schuth replied, That is correct. Ms. Smith stated, We received signatures on that piecemeal. So the copy you all may have may not have all the signatures but we do have an original in the office that has all the required signatures. Committeemember Broden then asked, And what is the timeline for submission and then hearing back? Ms. Schuth replied, The submission already happened as it went in July 30th, 2018 and we will hear back the second(2nd) week of November 2018. EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT 455 County-City Building I227W.Jefferson BvldI South Bend,Indiana 46601 p574.235.9221 f574.235.9173ITD574.235.5567 www.southbendin.gov 3