06-22-09 Common Council Mintues - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING JUNE 22, 2009 SECTION IV. Approval is subject to the Petitioner complying with the reasonable conditions established by the Board of Zoning Appeals which are on file in the office of the City Clerk. SECTION V. The Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by the Common Council and approval by the Mayor. s/Derek D. Dieter Member of the Common Council Councilmember Kirsits, Chairperson, Zoning and Annexation Committee, reported that this committee held a Public Hearing on this bill this afternoon and voted to send it to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. Mr. Mark Lyons, Assistant Zoning Administrator, 125 S. Lafayette Blvd., Suite 100, South Bend, Indiana, presented the report from the Board of Zoning Appeals. Mr. Lyons advised that the petitioner is seeking a Special Exception to allow a Group Residence in a “MU” District. The Board of Zoning Appeals gave it a public hearing on May 21, 2009 and sends this bill to the Common Council with a favorable recommendation. Mr. Richard Nussbaum, Attorney, 210 S. Michigan Street, South Bend, Indiana, made the presentation on behalf of Mr. Robert L. Miller, Sr., a contingent purchaser for the property located at 747 South Michigan Street, South Bend, Indiana. Mr. Nussbaum, advised that Judge Miller is a tireless advocate on behalf of veterans. He has been working with the Center for the Homeless, Inc. due to the fact that an inordinate number of veterans are in need of housing and other social services. The Center for the Homeless and Judge Miller have developed a program entitled “Miller’s Vets Program.” He stated that the programming consists of the following: Veterans Amnesty – given the fact there are no VA emergency shelters, the Center for the Homeless is going to make available an extension of the current weather amnesty program so that veterans may immediately access emergency housing services during the course of the year. Veterans Drop-In Center – an expansion of the veterans amnesty program is to include daytime services, both basic (laundry, food, clothing, hygiene) and supportive programming so that veterans may access medical, pension, disability, mental health/substance abuse treatment, adult education, and rehab services. Veterans Permanent Support Housing – as a final expansion of the Miller’s Vets Program, permanent housing will be considered and provided at the building located at 747 South Michigan. There is no current timetable for the permanent support housing, but it is important that additional emergency housing be provided to veterans. Mr. Nussbaum noted that the Veterans Amnesty and Veterans Drop-In of Miller’s Vet Programming may be provided at 747 South Michigan under the current “MU” zoning (Section 21-03-02 of the City of South Bend Zoning Ordinance.) These services are permitted uses under Section 21-03- 02(A)(1)(F). However, the program which provides for emergency residential services, is a Special Exception Use under Section 21-03.02(a)(2)(F). Mr. Nussbaum asked for the Council favorable consideration. A Public Hearing was held on the Resolution at this time. Mr. Danny Forrest, one of Miller’s Vets, stated that the facility is much needed. He stated that he came there with a broken-down spirit. He stated that he doesn’t have a broken down spirit anymore. The center has programming in place to get lives back on track. He noted that he had been lost but is not lost anymore. There was no one else present wishing to speak in favor of this bill and there was no one present wishing to speak in opposition to this bill. 8