09-26-05 Zoning & Annexation - Laserfiche WebLink

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Zoning and Annexation Committee 2005 South Bend Common Council The September 26, 2005 meeting of the Zoning and Annexation Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Ervin Kuspa at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Puzzello,Kuspa,Dieter,White,Varner,Kirsits and Rouse; Citizen Member Martha Lewis, Sharon Kendall, Building Commissioner Don Fozo, Rebecca Goo, Jack Dillon, City Clerk John Voorde, Sara A. Williams, Jamie Loo of the South Bend Tribune and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Kuspa noted that the Committee consists of Council Members Rouse, Dieter Kirsits and himself. He asked that persons wishing to testify before the Committee give their name and address for the record. Council Member Kuspa noted that the first item on the agenda, Bill No. 05-110 which would approve a petition of the South Bend Board of Zoning Appeals for the property located at 926 Blaine Street, South Bend,Indiana 46613. Building Commissioner Don Fozo reported that the bill is requesting a special exception to allow a duplex in SF2. It had a public hearing before the Board of Zoning Appeals on August 18, 2005 and is sent without recommendation, and that there were remonstrators at the meeting. Sara A. Williams,the trustee for the 926 Land Trust made the presentation. They have ordered a structural report which was just received this afternoon. The structure had three (3) units when purchased. Originally it was split into two units with the 3rd unit being added at a later date. The property manager will be at the Council meeting this evening and will review the screening process for tenants. Since the property stood vacant it lost its grandfather status. In response to a question from Council Member Dieter, Mr. Fozo stated that the structure was originally a single-family structure. No one from the public spoke in favor of the Bill. Council Member Kuspa then called for those in opposition to the Bill to address the Committee. Rebecca Goo of 317 Poppy Avenue noted that she works for the Near Northwest Neighborhood. She stated that she spoke with the residents on California and Blaine and that they are against this request. She also spoke with the church officials and that they would also prefer an owner-occupied premise. Ms. Williams stated that the value of the property would decrease if the special exception is not granted. Mr. Fozo stated that originally the property was A residential and then became a legal non-conforming use. September 26,2005 Zoning and Annexation Committee of the 2005 South Bend Common Council -Page 1-