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Council approves rezoning for 3527 Lincoln Way West (Bill 05‑25); several zoning petitions sent to committees
Summary
On March 24 the Common Council approved Ordinance Bill 05‑25 to rezone 3527 Lincoln Way West to UF (Urban Neighborhood Flex) to allow a day‑spa use; the council also referred multiple zoning petitions and municipal finance bills to committee for hearings on April 14.
The City of South Bend Common Council on March 24 voted 8‑0 to pass Bill 05‑25, an ordinance rezoning property at 3527 Lincoln Way West from S‑1 (Suburban Neighborhood 1) to UF (Urban Neighborhood Flex) to allow small‑scale commercial uses, including a proposed day spa.
Skip Morel, principal development planner, told the council the rezoning aligns with the South Bend comprehensive plan’s goal of pursuing mixed uses along major corridors and allows the site to host small‑scale commercial activity while remaining compatible with surrounding residential use. Owner Cecilia Brown described plans for a med spa offering facials, hair and nails, spray tans, IV therapy, health coaching and a community‑oriented rewards program; she told the council the site has “ample parking” for about eight cars and that additional clearing could add two to three spaces.
The petitioner faced one neighbor question at the advisory hearing about lighting and the frequency of customers; Brown said the business would include lighting and security oriented to avoid shining toward adjacent houses. No public speakers appeared in favor or opposition during the council public hearing.
Council President Lee called for the third reading of Bill 05‑25 after a Committee of the Whole review; the ordinance passed on third reading with eight ayes (Council members McBride; Sherry Bridal Simpson; Troy Warner; Neskovsky; White; Ophelia Gooden Rogers; Vice President Regia Thomas Morgan; and President Lee). The council earlier approved the March 10 meeting minutes by roll call (8 ayes) and moved the meeting into the Committee of the Whole (8 ayes) before returning to full council for third readings.
Council members also conducted first readings of multiple petitions and unanimously (by committee vote) referred them to the appropriate committees and public hearings on April 14, 2025. Those first readings and committee referrals included several advisory board of zoning appeals petitions (bills 15‑25 through 19‑25) and municipal finance and right‑of‑way vacation bills (20‑25 through 22‑25). Votes on the first‑reading referrals were recorded by roll call (typically seven ayes for those first‑reading referrals where seven members were present for that item).
What happened next: the rezoning ordinance (Bill 05‑25) will be added to the city code upon administrative processing following passage. Petitions referred to zoning and other committees will receive public hearings and subsequent council readings on April 14, 2025.
