The South Bend Common Council on Aug. 25 approved an ordinance to rezone property at 1432 South Bend Avenue and an adjacent parcel to Urban Neighborhood 3 (U3) to allow a mid‑rise condominium development.

Mark DelaStreet, zoning specialist, and petitioner Mike Danch of Dan Charter and Associates described the plan for a four‑story condominium building (with a setback “fifth floor” for a resident amenity) that would occupy roughly 0.6 acres at the southeast corner of South Bend Avenue and Garland Street. The applicant said the proposal combines two lots under a single zoning classification and places parking behind the building with Type‑2 screening and landscaping to buffer adjacent houses.

DelaStreet noted two variances the Planning Commission granted last week: a limited allowance for a setback fifth‑floor community space (designed so it will not be visible from the street) and a variance for façade length (127 feet where 120 feet is allowed). Danch told council members the building will be owner‑occupied condominiums (not student housing or short‑term rentals) and that the developer has taken steps to address neighbors’ sanitary sewer and drainage concerns by connecting to a newer main on South Bend Avenue and providing on‑site drainage measures.

Council members asked about pricing and community impacts. Danch said the overall project cost would be about $50 million (projected by the developer) and that comparable condos in the area have been approaching $1 million, comments he offered while discussing market context. Councilmember Thomas Morgan said he supported the downzoning of the corner from a more intense zoning category to U3 and noted neighborhood notification and assurances that units will be owner‑occupied influenced his vote.

The council voted to send Bill 46‑25 forward at third reading and then passed the ordinance on third reading; Clerk Toronto recorded nine ayes.