07-27-09 Common Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING JULY 27, 2009 two or three people making a drug deal its not real hard to find. He reiterated that there are four not-for-profit organizations in that area. He stated that he wasn’t sure if they were grandfathered in or how they came to be. He stated that this half-way house is a much needed thing and it won’t hinder property values, clients are not going to harm the children and as far as parking goes there is only one client that may have a vehicle out of the eight residents and they would park in the back of the building and not on the street at all. He stated that he doesn’t have anyone here speaking on his behalf because he has GOD with him today. He stated that is what he practices in his spirituality. He reiterated that this is a spiritually inspired program. He asked the Council to take into consideration: Is this project going to be harmful to the neighborhood; is it going to affect the neighborhood in one way or the other; look at the overall picture; what’s in need for the City of South Bend and the community. Those are the questions at stake because whether or not he opens up this half-way house there will be another one coming there soon. He stated that Madison Center is already planning on opening up a half-way house there in the 300 Block of Taylor Street. He asked if anyone knew that? He stated that no one new that there were three half-way houses on that block already until he mentioned it to him. He stated that is the purpose because they are so low key, the clients are so low key, they go to work, they do their thing, they come home, they make their meals, they go to church on Sunday, they go home and go to bed. These are people that need help just like us at one time or another in our lives. He stated that this project is about saving lives and if these people didn’t have the opportunity based on property values of someone’s home, then our society pretty much stays the same. The very problem that is before the Council tonight will never get fixed. Councilmember Henry Davis asked Mr. Carruthers why the previous owner Mr. McFadden an attorney, moved out? Mr. Carruthers stated that Mr. McFadden moved out because he wanted a bigger office. Councilmember Henry Davis stated that he will help Mr. Carruthers from this point on with his project; however, he is not in support of it today. He stated that he will work with Mr. Carruthers to make sure from this point on that everything is clear cut, understandable and will help with funding if needed. nd Councilmember Rouse stated Councilmember Henry Davis is the 2 District Council representative and would like to help Mr. Carruthers with this valuable service that he is trying to provide. He stated that he wants to see Mr. Carruthers get the same support as any other entity that wants to serve this community. Councilmember Rouse stated to Mr. Carruthers that this is not the end of the journey and that they can find support somewhere to a location that is going be more receptive to what he is trying to do. He stated that he is going to vote against the bill tonight, but with a commitment to work to address the need and service that Mr. Carruthers is trying to provide. Councilmember Oliver Davis stated that some of his frustration tonight is that this project is such a great idea, however, he was disappointed that the neighbors were not included in the discussion. He stated that is why the Council is here to work together on a project like this. He stated that he understands and represents the residents who are going to have to live next to a project like this and it is his responsibility to see that everyone can get along and live together. Councilmember Kirsits stated that as Chairperson of the Zoning and Annexation Committee he attempts to look at the standards that the Council goes by. He stated that he feels this project goes against those criteria. He feels that it would be injurious to the health and public safety of the residents. He stated that as a firefighter he knows that statistically there are a higher number of calls for emergency services. He stated that in the Northshore Triangle someone was running a half-way house illegally in 1999 and with the efforts of a former Councilmember John Hosinski had that half-way house shut down. Councilmember Kirsits advised that a person who was living at that half-way house murdered a neighbor three doors away from him. He stated that he believes this project would adversely affect property values and also believes that it would be inconsistent with character of the neighborhood. He stated that some soft uses like an 16