HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-10-2026 Zoning and Annexation Committee Minutes
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
BIANCA L. TIRADO, CITY CLERK
INTEGRITY | SERVICE | ACCESSIBILITY
Jasmine Jackson Matthew Neal Veronica Pitt-Payne
CHIEF DEPUTY CITY CLERK / CHIEF OF STAFF DEPUTY CITY CLERK / DIRECTOR OF POLICY DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL PROJECTS
EXCELLENCE | ACCOUNTABILITY | INNOVATION | INCLUSION | EMPOWERMENT
300 City Hall | 215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. | South Bend, Indiana 46601 | p. 574.235.9221 | f. 574.235.9173 | www.southbendin.gov
ZONING AND ANNEXATION AUGUST 10, 2026, 4:10 P.M.
Committee Members Present: Dr. Heidi Beidinger, Karen L. White, Kay
Farlow, Stacey Odom, Dr. Oliver Davis
Committee Members Absent: Rachel Tomas Morgan
Other Council Present: Sharon McBride, Canneth Lee, Ophelia
Gooden-Rodgers
Others Present: Bianca L. Tirado, Matthew Neal, Jasmine
Jackson, Lari’onna Green, Veronica Pitt-
Payne, Bob Palmer
Presenters: Tim Staub, Ross Van Overberghe, Chris
Derrickson
Agenda: Bill No. 47-26 - Special Exception at 1737 Obrien Street
Bill No. 48-26 - Amending the Zoning Ordinance and Establishing Historic
Landmark Status for the Structure and Real Property Known as the Olivet AME / Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church Located at 310 West Monroe Street
Members marked with an asterisk (*) are in virtual attendance via Microsoft Teams.
Please note the attached link for the meeting recording:
https://docs.southbendin.gov/WebLink/browse.aspx?dbid=0&mediaid=412049
Committee Chair Dr. Oliver Davis called to order the Zoning and Annexation Committee meeting
at 4:15 P.M.
Bill No. 47-26 - Special Exception at 1737 Obrien Street
EXCELLENCE | ACCOUNTABILITY | INNOVATION | INCLUSION | EMPOWERMENT
300 City Hall | 215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. | South Bend, Indiana 46601 | p. 574.235.9221 | f. 574.235.9173 | www.southbendin.gov
Tim Staub, Zoning Specialist, with offices on the fifth (5th) floor of City Hall, South Bend, IN
46601, presented the bill. He stated that the petitioner intends to build two (2) stacked duplexes
and showed the site plan and design renderings. He noted that this development would fill two
(2) vacant lots, one (1) which has been vacant for ten (10) years and one (1) with no history of
development. He said the bill comes with a favorable recommendation from the Plan
Commission.
Committee Chair Dr. Davis asked the petitioner to come forward. He noted the petitioner’s
absence and asked Council Attorney Bob Palmer how to proceed.
Attorney Palmer confirmed that the Committee’s practice has been to move bills forward with no
recommendation when the petitioner is not present. He stated that they still need to hold a public
hearing.
Committee Chair Dr. Davis held the public hearing, and nobody spoke.
Committee Member Dr. Heidi Beidinger moved to send Bill No. 45-26 to the Committee of the
Whole with no recommendation, which was seconded by Citizen Member Stacey Odom and
carried by a vote of five (5) ayes with one (1) Committee Member absent.
Bill No. 48-26 - Amending the Zoning Ordinance and Establishing Historic Landmark Status for the Structure and Real Property Known as the Olivet AME / Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church
Located at 310 West Monroe Street
Ross Van Overberghe, Historic Preservation Administrator, with offices on the fourth (4th) floor
of City Hall, South Bend, IN 46601, presented the bill. He stated that this petition for local landmark designation was submitted by the congregation of Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church, which has occupied the site since 1986. He spoke about the property’s historical significance as the original site of Olivet AME, the first (1st) church in the City established by a congregation of
African American descent. He noted the building’s educational value as an intact structure that
exemplifies the methods and materials of early twentieth (20th) century church design and construction. He added that the bill comes with a favorable recommendation from the Historic Preservation Commission.
Pastor Chris Derrickson, Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 1333 Farmcrest Circle,
Mishawaka, IN 46544, spoke about Olivet AME’s spiritual foundation and vision for bridging
social and racial divides. He spoke about his involvement in the Zion Hill congregation over the past forty (40) years, serving as its pastor for the last twenty (20). He noted that they have preserved the building through its centennial despite previous attempts by the City to acquire or demolish the property.
Committee Chair Dr. Davis opened the public hearing.
Alma Powell, 52095 Carriage Hills Drive, South Bend, IN 46635, spoke in favor of the bill as
Committee Chair Dr. Oliver Davis – Aye Committee Vice Chair Rachel Tomas Morgan – Absent
Committee Member Karen L. White – Aye Committee Member Dr. Heidi Beidinger – Aye
Citizen Member Stacey Odom – Aye Citizen Member Kay Farlow – Aye
EXCELLENCE | ACCOUNTABILITY | INNOVATION | INCLUSION | EMPOWERMENT
300 City Hall | 215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. | South Bend, Indiana 46601 | p. 574.235.9221 | f. 574.235.9173 | www.southbendin.gov
Olivet AME’s chief steward of the church. She noted that the first (1st) African American congregation founded the church in 1870, just five (5) years after the City of South Bend was
incorporated. She expressed pride in Zion Hill’s continued maintenance of the structure and
community involvement.
George Garner, 911 East Wayne Street, South Bend, IN 46617, spoke in favor of the bill. He stated that the church has housed two (2) deeply community-oriented African American congregations and welcomed thousands of people over the course of its history. He said these
congregations have legacies spanning the City’s entire history, from the earliest founding families
to today’s community leaders.
Committee Chair Dr. Davis closed the public hearing.
Committee Member Karen L. White spoke about growing up as a member of Zion Hill Missionary
Baptist Church and spoke highly of the late Reverend Robert Derrickson. She expressed support
for the bill and stated that the historic landmark designation is well-deserved.
Councilmember Sharon McBride expressed support for the bill. She stated that her church is Zion
Hill’s sister church and spoke about Zion Hill’s significance in the community.
Council President Canneth Lee acknowledged the members of both congregations and thanked
them for their work in the community. He expressed support for the bill.
Committee Member Dr. Beidinger said she is thankful to learn about the church’s history and
preserve it for future generations. She expressed support for the bill.
Committee Chair Dr. Davis spoke about Zion Hill’s battle to keep the church in 2018. He said he
is glad they have been able to work with the ballpark and maintain a good relationship with them.
Citizen Member Kay Farlow moved to send Bill No. 48-26 to the Committee of the Whole with
a favorable recommendation, which was seconded by Committee Member White and carried by
a vote of five (5) ayes with one (1) Committee Member absent.
With no further business, Committee Chair Dr. Davis adjourned the Zoning and Annexation
Committee meeting at 4:36 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dr. Oliver Davis, Committee Chair
Committee Chair Dr. Oliver Davis – Aye Committee Vice Chair Rachel Tomas Morgan – Absent
Committee Member Karen L. White – Aye Committee Member Dr. Heidi Beidinger – Aye
Citizen Member Stacey Odom – Aye Citizen Member Kay Farlow – Aye