Hello Neighbors.
There is an important development in our neighborhood that you should be aware of. This regards the property at the corner of Hillcrest and Angela, on the southeast corner of the T-intersection, up on the hill. The current owners are proposing significant changes to the existing property.
There are 2 structures on the property: a large, old, brick house (one of the oldest in our neighborhood, built in 1892) and a smaller 1-story house, both of which have been rented as apartments for many years. The owners propose to remove both existing structures and build a new 2-story apartment building on the site consisting of 2- and possibly 3-bedroom apartment units, with the potential capacity for approximately 24 people. There would also be a parking lot as required to accommodate the number of residents. To provide access to the apartments, changes are proposed to the alley behind the property, which intersects with Angela. Their target demographic is college students.
Those of us living on adjacent blocks (Hillcrest and Otsego) were invited to an informational meeting with the property owners and the developer last week at the suggestion of 4th District Council Person, Ann Puzzello. Generally, we learned that this project will go through a number of steps involving the Building and Zoning Commissions and the Area Plan Commission.
Clearly, a project of this type and magnitude will impact those of us who live nearby, as well as the neighborhood as a whole. We ask that you attend upcoming public meetings on this matter, as there are a number of zoning issues and variances about which we may have some input. We’ll post meeting dates on this website as we learn of them.
Please consider contacting our City Council members, both of whom are aware of this issue:
Ann Puzzello, 4th District (office: 235-9321) (e-mail: apuzzell@southbendin.gov)
Al “Buddy” Kirsits, At-Large (office: 235-9321) (e-mail: akirsits@southbendin.gov)
You can also contact us to share your input or concerns:
Jo Broden (289-0401)
Maria Cashore (233-6124 or malrin@sbcglobal.net)
Please share this important information with your neighbors. Our collective input is crucial to maintaining the quality and integrity of our great neighborhood.
Thank you!
