08-26-02 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 26. 2002 Mr. Steve Cooreman, Cooreman Real Estate Group, Inc., 24545 Brick Road, South Bend, Indiana, made the presentation for this bill. Mr. Cooreman informed the Council that Cooreman Real Estate Group is the developer of The _ Villas at Lake Blackthorn located at Brick Road and the 31 Bypass and is seeking voluntary annexation and extension of City water and sewer. He noted that in addition to the thirty -eight (38) acres being requested for annexation they are in the process of purchasing the contiguous nineteen (19) acres currently owned by the Redevelopment Commission. By putting these two (2) parcels together the Villas will then comprise more than one hundred six (106) high end villas ranging in price from one hundred seventy thousand ($170,000.00) dollars up to three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000.00). This project when fully built will generate more than one -half million dollars of real estate taxes. Some of the features of the development include a nine (9) acre stocked lake in the middle of the project, a large common area, a large gazebo, a deck overlooking the lake which will have a fountain in the middle. Mr. Cooreman stated that it is their belief that this is going to be one of the nicest villa communities built in the City of South Bend. He noted that they will also be seeking residential tax abatement to offer all the homeowners. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. There was no one present wishing to speak to the Council either in favor of or in opposition to this bill. Councilmember Coleman thanked Mr. Cooreman for his commitment to develop this property within the City limits and also thanked the staff of the Economic Development Department who have worked with Mr. Cooreman in this process. Therefore, Councilmember Coleman made a motion that second substitute Bill No. 57 -02 go to the full Council with a favorable recommendation with Third Reading to be held on September 9, 2002. Councilmember Varner seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of seven (7) ayes. BILL NO. 40 -02 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL TO VACATE THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PROPERTY: THE FIRST EAST /WEST ALLEY SOUTH OF MISHAWAKA AVENUE FROM 21ST STREET WEST TO THE FIRST NORTH /SOUTH ALLEY; AND THE FIRST NORTH/SOUTH ALLEY WEST OF 21ST STREET FROM THE FIRST EAST /WEST ALLEY SOUTH OF MISHAWAKA AVENUE Councilmember White made a motion to hear the substitute version of this bill. Councilmember Varner seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of seven (7) ayes. Councilmember Varner reported that the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee conducted a Committee Hearing on this bill, as substituted, and sends it to the Council with a favorable recommendation. Mr. James A. Masters, Nemeth, Feeney & Masters, Suite 600, 215 South St. Joseph Street, South Bend, Indiana, representing the Petitioner, the St. Joseph County Public Library, made the presentation for this bill. Mr. Masters informed the Council that in late 2000 the St. Joseph County Public Library acquired property located south and west of the library. The west lot will be used for future expansion of the building and the south lot ( #45) will be used for parking. He noted that the library is asking to have the alley that runs just north of that lot vacated as well as the north/south alley that is immediately adjacent to the lot on the west for the width of the lot. The reason for this request is because of their concern for library patrons who walk through the parking lot to get to their cars and they do not want through traffic going down the alley.