05-14-01 Council Meeting Minutes

Home Browse Search

REGULAR MEETING MAY 14, 2001 change the condition that already exists. He noted that this proj ect was recommended by the Area Plan Commission staff and the Commission and represents an investment by the Rhodes Brothers of between three million dollars ($3,000,000.00) and three million five hundred thousand dollars ($3,500,000.00). Mr. Morgan further advised that between forty -five (45) and fifty (50) individuals will be employed at this project representing new jobs to our community. A market study has been conducted and the developer is confident that this will be a successful venture. Mr. Michael Danch, Danch, Hamer & Associates, Inc., 2422 Viridian Drive, Suite 201, South Bend, Indiana, advised that this proposed development on Edison Road will consist of one (1) main building which will be a grocery store with retail stores on either side of that building. The buildings will occupy approximately twenty -five thousand (25,000) to twenty -six thousand (26,000) square feet. A house is located at the south west corner. The site plan shows two (2) entrances into the site, one (1) on the west side and one (1) on the east side. The proposed entrance on the east side of the site is the one that Mr. Carl Littrell of the Engineering Department has made comments about. Mr. Littrell indicated that he does not have a problem with the east entrance but, from a long term planning standpoint, at such time that Kale Street would be developed with an access out to Hickory Road, then that entrance should be used and noted on the site plan with the east entrance then closed off at that time. Mr. Danch noted that the developer has added screening along the north and east sides of the property. In regards to drainage, the petitioner has met the City's requirements and has added retention areas along the east and west sides of the property. These will be shallow retention areas but they will hold the capacity that is required by the City. In regards to connection to water and sewer, there is a water line that is available on Edison Road to which they will be connecting and they are working with the City in regards to the connection to the a sanitary sewer line. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Ms. Louann Cooper, 3613 East Bulla Street, South Bend, Indiana, informed the Council that her mother has been a resident at this location for fifty -four (54) years and has been in the City for forty (40) years. She noted that this has been a quiet neighborhood and they are now concerned about the traffic with the proposed entrance off of Kale Street and Hickory. She further noted that Hickory is a four (4) lane road and at a certain point narrows down to two (2) lanes with a concrete abutment at Kale Street. Ms. Cooper advised that they are concerned about the proposed retention areas and mosquitos. She inquired what the two (2) additional retail stores would be and asked about the hours of business. In regards to the sewer and water hookups, Ms. Cooper stated that this developer will receive sewer and water even though they have lived in the City for over forty (40) years and still do not have City sewer or water or fire hydrants. In rebuttal, Mr. Morgan stated that there is no entrance on the site plan off of Kale Street and none is planned. That proposed entrance was recommended by the City Engineering Department but is not on the site plan submitted. Both entrances will be off of Edison. In regards to the hours of business, Mr. Morgan stated that the Save -A -Lot store located on Chapin Street closes at 8:00 p.m. and even though he cannot make a firm commitment at this time there is no plan to operate the new store any later than that unless business warrants and then the store would be open until 9:00 p.m. Councilmember King stated that he is unable to agree with Ms. Cooper about this rezoning because he believes it will be an improvement to the neighborhood. However, he is concerned about the fact that this area has been in the City for a long time and still does not have City sewer and water services even though residents have been paying taxes for those services. Councilmember King advised that he has asked Councilmember Kirsits, Chairperson, Utilities Committee, to j oin with him and the Residential Neighborhoods Committee to conduct a hearing on this matter and look at this area and other areas within the City limits that do not have sewer and water. Councilmember King stated that with respect to the rezoning of this site, he will support the petition. Councilmember Aranowski made a motion to send this bill to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. Councilmember Coleman seconded the motion.