29-25 Amending the Zoning Ordinance for Property Located at 1144 and 1148 Sorin Street

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Staff Report-PC#0260-25 6/16/2025 The surrounding neighborhood is compact and largely residential. To the east, the neighborhood is comprised primarily of single unit dwellings. Density increases and a wider range of residential building types and commercial spaces are found to the west along North Eddy Street and moving towards downtown. 3. Most Desirable Use: The most desirable use for this property is medium density housing that matches the scale and character of the surrounding area and provides additional units in the area. 4. Conservation of Property Values: Developing a new residential project on currently vacant land will contribute to the growth and value of the surrounding neighborhood. 5. Responsible Development and Growth: It is responsible to allow for continued development in the Northeast Neighborhood in the form of smaller scale, compact housing that introduces units to the area. Variance(s) The petitioner is seeking the following variance(s): Article 21-03.04 (d) Building Setbacks- 5' side to 1' side on the north side of lots 2, 3, and 4. State statutes and the Zoning Ordinance require that certain standards must be met before a variance can be approved. The standards and their justifications are as follows: (1)The approval will not be injurious to the public health, safety, morals and general welfare of the community. The approval will not be injurious to the public health, safety, morals, and general welfare of the community. These are detached homes being built on a vacant parcel adjacent to other detached homes. (2) The use and value of the area adjacent to the property included in the variance will not be affected in a substantially adverse manner. The use and value of the area adjacent to the property included in the variance will not be affected in a substantially adverse manner. These are detached homes going into a neighborhood of detached homes of varying sizes. (3) The strict application of the terms of this Chapter would result in practical difficulties in the use of the property. The strict application of the terms of this chapter would result in practical difficulties in the use of the property. Each resident would have difficulty utilizing outdoor space with only a 5' side yard of property. (4) The variance granted is the minimum necessary. The variance granted is the minimum necessary.The applicant is requesting the variance to reflect the spirit of the statute. The homes in question still would have a 10' space between their sides, similar to the two 5' side setbacks. It is adjusting that side lot line to permit the property owners to have quasi-private outdoor space to enjoy while maintaining the intent of the side setback. (5) The variance granted does not correct a hardship caused by a former or current owner of the property. The variance granted does not correct a hardship caused by the current owner. This variance is providing usable side yards to the future owners of these homes, this hardship is created by the way the zoning ordinance applies to side setbacks of properties. SOUTH BEND PLAN COMMISSION Page 4 of 5