2012 Annual Report - Zoning & Annexation Committee

Home Browse Search

2012 Zoning and Annexation Committee Annual Report Page 3 standards of review utilized by the Council. In light of the Area Plan Commission providing an advisory recommendation, as well as the Zoning and Annexation Committee also providing an advisory recommendation to the full Council, I would recommend that the brochure be re-instituted in 2013. Past brochures included brief summaries the governing regulations from the South Bend Municipal Code and the Indiana Code; and the standards used to review proposed: --> Annexations —> Written Fiscal Plans Special Exceptions Rezonings -* Historic Landmarks and Districts Such a brochure would also assist Council Members when providing comments in favor or in opposition to specific requests based on the required criteria needed for approval. Additional Items Needing Discussion: Last year, Council Member Al "Buddy' Kirsts who chaired and Zoning and Annexation Committee, recommended discussions which may improve local procedures. The first topic he highlighted addressed "Annexations" where he noted that they "... should be addressed to improve our local annexation procedures. I would recommend consideration of the following: 1. That in January of each year, the Zoning and Annexation Committee be presented with the City Administration's goals and objectives for the upcoming calendar year with regard to proposed annexations. 2. That at the Z & A Committee meeting addressed in # 1 above, that a map of the City of South Bend depicting all of the annexations approved for the prior year be clearly indicated and shared with the Committee for review and discussion. 3. That when a "Fiscal Plan" is proposed with an accompanying Resolution for Council adoption, that the projected costs for police and fire services [including the formula used in calculated the anticipated costs] be clearly addressed. This has been an ongoing point of concern of both Council President Dieter and myself that too often the projected costs do not realistically address the actual costs of such public safety services." The 2nd topic he highlighted were to improve the reporting mechanism suggesting that an annual written report from the Building Commissioner and/or update from Area Plan Staff noting: • "A summary of compliance and enforcement efforts for the prior year as they relate to South Bend • Any proposed changes which may be contemplated to help improve the city's zoning regulations" Both of these topics raise good points, and it would be good to have discussion on them next year.