06-08-09 Community and Economic Development Committee

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',!~ it t~~~~.,~n; ., ~ Community and Economic Development Committee 2009 South Bend Common Council The June 8, 2009 meeting of the Community and Economic Development Committee of the South Bend Common Council was called to order by its Chairperson Council Member Timothy A. Rouse at 4:53 p.m. in the Council's Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Dieter, Varner, Henry Davis, Jr., White, LaFountain, Rouse, Oliver J. Davis, and Puzzello; Mayor Stephen J. Luecke, Public Works Director Gary Gilot, City Controller M. Catherine Fanello, Rita Kopola, Martha Lewis, Catherine Andres. Steve Cooreman, Bernie Feeney, Bill Schalliol, Ryan Chasey, Kate Love-Jacobson, John Hamilton, Gladys Muhammad, Pamela C. Meyer, other members of the public, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Rouse noted that the Committee members include Council Members Henry Davis, Jr., Karen L. White, Ann Puzzello and himself, as Chairperson. Bill No. 09-41 Waiver Request of Conditions Precept re~ardine 4406 Ashard Drive Bill No. 09-42 Five (5) Year Residential Real Property Request for 4406 Ashard Drive Council Member Rouse called for a report from Economic Development on the proposed requests set forth in Bill Nos. 09-41 and 09-42. Bob Mathia, Economic Development Assistant Director, reviewed his multi-page report of May 22, 2009 (copy attached). He noted that the petitioner, Cleland Builders, has already constructed a house on Lot # 77, which has been used as a model home and sales office by the Petitioner. The Petitioner is applying for a waiver of the building permit precondition which is addressed in Bill No. 09-41, and a five (5) year residential real property tax abatement for the subject property, which is addressed in Bill No. 09-42. Mr. Mathia further noted among other things that the house construction was $137,000. Because the house on Lot # 77 was being used as a model homes and sales office it prevented the sale of the property to a private buyer prior to the expiration of the 2003 abatement for Jade Crossing, section I. In 2008, the Petitioner re-applied for tax abatements on Lot # 77 along with ten (10) other lots; and then removed Lot # 77 because of the issuance of the building permit for it. If the building permit has not been issued and the house had not been constructed, the project would have met the qualifications for a five (5) year residential real property tax abatement.