04/17/89 Board of Public Works Minutes

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103 REGULAR MEETING APRIL 17, 1989 Mr. Janowski explained for the Board the traffic flow of the alley in question. He further stated that in regards to the purpose of the alley vacation as indicated in the ordinance, he lives on the other end of the alley and has the same problems. He indicated that there will be more problems if the alley is vacated. Mr. Janowski utilized a map which he prepared to illustrate the traffic flow of vehicles through the alley in question. He indicated that his home is heated by oil and the oil delivery truck, as well as trash trucks would have a difficult time getting in and out of the alley should the proposed alley be vacated. Mr. Sheldon Maxey, 921 21st Street, South Bend, Indiana, was present and advised the Board that he is in favor of the vacation. He stated that he has no problem pulling out onto Vine Street to go north or south. He further advised that he lives across from the alley to be vacated and does experience a lot of traffic from IUSB. He stated that motorists zoom through the alley in order to avoid the stop sign. Mr. Maxey submitted to the Board written comments from Mr. Charles S. Whetstone, Petitioner, 925 21st Street, South Bend, Indiana, which indicated that Mr. Whetstone requests that the Board accept Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon Maxey to represent his opinion on this matter that he is totally in favor of this alley being vacated. Ms. Shirley Hughes, 946 South Ironwood, South Bend, Indiana, advised that she is the owner of the rental property at 925 South Ironwood, South Bend, Indiana, and does not want the alley closed. Ms. Vicky Reed, 925 South Ironwood, South Bend, Indiana, advised that she lives right on the alley, has three (3) children and does not want the alley closed. She explained that because Ironwood is very busy and dangerous, her children play in the backyard by the proposed alley to be vacated and the alley is used quite frequently by herself and other motorists. She stated that if there was an emergency, fire trucks or ambulances could not get through if the alley was closed. She stated that the turn at the intersection of the alleys is already difficult to make. Mrs. Helen Janowski addressed the Board again and stated that over the past seventeen (17) years she has helped keep the alley clean and has called the Street Department when the alley needed to be cleaned. She stated that Mr. Metzger is the one requesting the alley be closed but she is the one that has kept it clean. She also stated that this is the first time the traffic from IUSB has been brought up. She reiterated the comments that her husband made earlier that it is very dangerous to have to back -out onto Ironwood and that there is also a long wait to get out onto Ironwood. Mr. Bruce Metzger, 922 South 21st Street, South Bend, Indiana, Petitioner, submitted to the Board letters from Scott and Renne Perry, 918 South 21st Street and Barbara Wojciechowski, 930 South 21st Street, which indicated their support of the vacation of the alley. He also submitted a letter from Lucille Quirk, Petitioner, 926 South 21st Street, South Bend, Indiana, advising of her intention to allocate property to the City for an acceptable turning radius provided that the alley in question be vacated. Mr. Metzger additionally submitted to the Board a diagram of the alley to be vacated and a list of twenty-eight (28) "T" intersection alleys in River Park. Mr. Metzger advised the Board that the reason for the vacation as stated in the ordinance is that the situation is hazardous to children in the area. He advised the Board that he conducted a check of the number of vehicles utilizing the alley and counted fifty-four (54) vehicles during the course of the day. He stated