The South Bend Common Council heard a staff presentation and petitioner remarks on Monday for Ordinance 45-25, a proposed annexation and rezoning of seven parcels at the southeast corner of Willis Avenue and Dunn Road to an Urban Neighborhood 3 (U3) zoning designation. The council adopted a companion fiscal plan resolution (Resolution 25-40) by roll call before scheduling the ordinance for final action in December under state timelines.

Tim Staub, zoning specialist for the City of South Bend, told the council the petition would annex approximately 4.9 acres, was contiguous and consistent with the city's comprehensive plan and applicable land-use objectives, and that water and sewer were available along Willis and Dunn. "This petition is consistent with the city plan," Staub said.

Mike Danch of Dan Charters & Associates, representing the petitioners, presented a preliminary site plan showing five multi-unit "stacked flats" buildings, with an estimated maximum of about 138 dwelling units (subject to final design), about 135 surface parking spaces and roughly 79 structured parking spaces. Danch said the developer expects to update city lift stations and water lines and estimated the cost to upgrade city facilities to accommodate the development could exceed $500,000; sidewalks, curb-and-gutter and stormwater controls are planned if annexed.

Why it matters: The annexation would move county parcels into city limits, add them to Council District 4, and bring utilities and development standards under city jurisdiction. City staff said no city capital improvements are currently planned as part of the annexation but that public-right-of-way segments of Willis and Dunn would be converted to city streets.

Council schedule and next steps: The council’s committee gave the bill a favorable recommendation; under state law the ordinance requires a delay between readings, so council action was scheduled for the council’s first December meeting. City staff also adopted Resolution 25-40 (fiscal plan), which the council passed 7-0 on Monday and which defines service responsibilities for the annexation area.

Quoted in meeting: Tim Staub said the rezoning "is consistent with land use" objectives; Mike Danch described infrastructure work, saying the developer "will be updating city lift stations" and the city will require sidewalks and stormwater controls.

The council closed the public-hearing portion with no public speakers for the ordinance and will take final action at the next scheduled council meeting in December.