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REGULAR MEETING February 25, 2019
<br /> Councilmember Oliver Davis asked,With the sixteen(16)parking spaces,do you think that would
<br /> help clear up everything else,too? In terms of what will be enough when you consider the business,
<br /> the person living there and those kinds of things? Will the sixteen (16) parking spaces be enough
<br /> for everything?
<br /> Mr. Connaughton replied, The leasing area for both the office and retail areas are about 3,000
<br /> square feet each. The current parking regulation is two (2)per 1,000 square feet of retail and three
<br /> (3)per 1,000 square feet of office. The residential only required one(1)parking spot. So, we have
<br /> sixteen (16) when, really, we only need fifteen (15). We have a dumpster enclosure which we are
<br /> not required to have but it makes the building more attractive.
<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 /> Pat McGann, 2313 East Edison Road, South Bend, IN, stated, I am immediately to the east of the
<br /> proposed rezone. The current property they are going to tear down is one third(1/3)the size of the
<br /> building they are going to build, and it has twenty(20)parking spaces. It is no where near enough
<br /> parking. So, I don't know. I don't write the zoning laws and I'm sure the people that do know a
<br /> lot more than I do. But, it has definitely always been a problem with that small lot. It was a Pizza
<br /> Hut prior to the honey baked ham company. It's never stood vacant very long. It just became
<br /> vacant this year I think or the latter part of last year when the honey baked ham company moved
<br /> up to Tuscanna Park in Granger and north Mishawaka. So, this is an improvement in the
<br /> neighborhood. There is no question about that. This is going to be a much nicer building than what
<br /> Pizza Hut had. So, I'm not speaking against this zoning at all, but I was hoping we might be able
<br /> to come to some sort of compromise, seeing that I am experienced in the neighborhood having
<br /> been there since 1984. I also own the property to the north of that. The Area Plan Commission had
<br /> put in their plan to put in some kind of ingress-egress up there and that is not part of Mr.
<br /> Connaughton's plan, as I understand it. That would have to go over my property anyway. The
<br /> fence is a great idea, although, I don't think he can build the fence all the way to the street. It
<br /> wouldn't be safe. So, may I approach this map up here? (referencing a slide in the presentation)
<br /> Council President Tim Scott confirmed, Yes.
<br /> Mr. McGann then informally addressed the layout of his property,relative to Mr. Connaughton's,
<br /> and shared a few traffic, seasonal, parking and safety anecdotes. He then stated, My proposal is,
<br /> and it is something I hope Mr. Connaughton and his associates agree with, to place the building
<br /> all the way back as far as possible on the property. That would allow all the parking to be up front
<br /> near the door for easy access and handicap accessibility. Plus, their vegetation is growing. So, I
<br /> hope is passes. It's a good use of the property,but I would just like to see the building move back.
<br /> The petitioner was then given five(5) minutes for rebuttal.
<br /> Mr. Connaughton stated, The parking on the site plan is done by a civil engineer. That is the
<br /> amount of parking we have. With regard to the entrance of the retail space, there is an entrance at
<br /> the front of the building for pedestrian traffic and an entrance at the rear of the building. We could
<br /> have pushed the building back. I would require a variance. In Mixed-Use Zoning,the building has
<br /> to be on the lot line or twelve (12) feet back, either/or. We are willing to work with Mr. McGann
<br /> to find some resolution. We still plan to have the fence and we are eliminating that current egress
<br /> that exists on Mr. McGann's property. That will be closed off.
<br /> Councilmember John Voorde asked, How far toward the street can the fence be?
<br /> Mr.Wyatt replied,You can build a fence all the way up to the property line. In this case,it wouldn't
<br /> work out, though, because of the clear site requirement. So, the closest a fence could be in this
<br /> situation is ten (10) feet to the southern property line.
<br /> Councilmember Oliver Davis asked, In terms of the parking right in front, could that be designated
<br /> for handicap? Then the rest in the back part?
<br /> Mr. Connaughton replied, The handicap spots are right there in that L shaped side of the building.
<br /> Councilmember Oliver Davis clarified, Up front. Wait, are they all in the back? Isn't that correct?
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