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South Bend Common Council Votes No on Zoning for Homeless Housing

Jennifer Weingart
/
WVPE Public Radio

 

The South Bend Common Council voted against a rezoning petition that would have paved the way for a new apartment complex for chronically homeless people.

The South Bend Heritage Foundation was planning to develop the site on Washington Street. By 2021 it would have hosted a 20 unit permanent supportive housing apartment building. 

After hours of testimony and public comment the board ultimately decided not to rezone.

Concerns were raised over the environmental health of the site--which had once been remediated for soil contamination.

 

Board members also cited problems with poor communication between the foundation, the council, and the public, and an overall lack of public support for the project in that space as reasons to vote no.

South Bend Heritage Foundation can work to address concerns and bring the same zoning issue before the board. Or it can choose a different site. A site has to be secured before applications for state funding can be completed.

 

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