11-25-02 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 25, 2002 Redevelopment Commission Resolution dated November 1, 2002. Additionally, it declares the area to be blighted pursuant to state law. He noted that there are eight characteristics in state laws that have to be proven to declare an area blighted. They include lack of development, cessation of growth, deterioration of improvements, character of occupancy, obsolescence, substandard buildings and other factors that impair value or prevent the normal use or development of the property. It is believed that many of those characteristics exist in the overall area. He noted that this is not related to a specific parcel but the general characteristics of the area in total. Mr. Schalliol advised that this bill also relates to a development plan for the area and a basic generalized set of goals and objectives for the development and redevelopment of the area. The bill also approves the conditions under which relocation payments will be made and establishes an allocation area for purposes of tax incremental financing. A Public Hearing was held on the Resolution at this time. The following individuals spoke in favor of this Resolution: Mr. Jim Frick, President, South Gateway Association, 61500 Ironwood, South Bend, Indiana, advised that the association is in favor of this redevelopment plan which they believe is going to be the final step to the stimulus that will get the Scottsdale Mall sold as well as other development projects that will be happening on Ireland Road. They believe tax incremental financing and sales tax incremental financing will be the stimulus that they have been waiting for the last five (5) years and hopefully new anchor stores will be named shortly. There was no one else present wishing to speak in favor of this Resolution and there was no one present wishing to speak in opposition to this bill. Councilmember Varner stated that this action is a step in the right direction. The use of redevelopment areas and TIF districts has been part and parcel to the development and redevelopment of downtown South Bend for a long time. He believes that people have come to the conclusion that the new developments are going to go to either where the infrastructure already exists in the form of the currently existing four (4) lane road such as Grape Road or cities are going to have to make an effort to provide that sort of infrastructure on a new, updated and upgraded basis if they hope to keep the ones they have. He stated that he believes this action may well be a very important piece of the puzzle which gets something done with Scottsdale Mall as well as some of the other developments that have been proposed. Therefore, Councilmember Varner made a motion to adopt this Resolution. Councilmember Kuspa seconded the motion. Councilmember Kelly pointed out that Mr. Jim Frick was the motivating force that got the South Gateway Association really moving forward and getting so many good things done in the southern portion of the City. Councilmember Kelly congratulated Mr. Frick and stated that he believes that things are looking much better at this point. The motion passed by a roll call vote of nine (9) ayes. BILLS - FIRST READING BILL NO. 95 -02 FIRST READING ON A BILL OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE 8, SECTION 2 -117 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF SOUTH BEND COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS LEAVE OF ABSENCE FOR MILITARY TOUR OF DUTY -16- 1 1 1