09-13-04 Community & Economic Development

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• I The South Bend Common Council's Standing Committee Report from the Community and Economic Development Committee The September 13, 2004 meeting of the Community and Economic Development Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Roland Kelly at 4:40 p.m., in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Dieter,Kelly,Puzzello, Varner,Kuspa, Coleman, Pfeifer, White and Kirsits; Community and Economic Development Executive Director Sharon Kendall, Code Enforcement Director Catherine Brucker, City Clerk John Voorde, Building Commissioner Don Fozo, Michael Beitzinger, Tedd Schaffer, David Hatch, Aaron Blank,Gladys Kopola,and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand,Council Attorney. Council Member Kelly stated that the Committee members include Council members Kirsits, Coleman,Kuspa and himself. Council Member Kelly then called for a presentation on Bill No. 04-94 which is a five (5) year personal property tax abatement request for Steel Warehouse Company, Inc., for the property located at 2722 Tucker Drive. Mr. Beitzinger suggested that since the petitioner for Bill No. 04-94 was running late, he requested that the Committee hear Bill No. 04-97 first. Council Member Kelly therefore called for a presentation on Bill No. 04-97 which is a five (5) year residential real property tax abatement request for St. Adalbert Roman Catholic Church for the benefit of Habitat for Humanity. Michael Beitzinger, Director of the Division of Economic Development, reviewed his report dated September 7, 2004 (copy attached). He stated that St. Adalbert Roman Catholic Church plans to sell the lot in question to Habitat for Humanity. A house with 1,120 square feet will be constructed on the lot, which will use volunteer labor and donated materials. The house will have an approximate value of$69,000. Mr. Beitzinger concluded his presentation by stated that the petitioner meets the qualifications for a five-year residential tax abatement under Section 2-77.1 of the South Bend Municipal Code addressing"single family real property abatement". David Hatch, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity requested favorable action by the Committee. He noted in response to a question from Council Member Kuspa that the church would sell the property to their organization and that the property would be put back on the tax rolls. Council Member Kuspa made a motion, seconded by Council Member Kirsits that Bill No. 04-97 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Mr. Beitzinger stated that since Mr. Gerald F. Lerman was now present,he requested the Committee to hear a presentation on Bill Nos. 04-94, 04-95 and 04-96. Community and Economic Development Committee Meeting of September 13,2004 Page 1