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1710 <br />REGULAR MEETING APRIL 8, 1986 <br />It was noted that this Public Hearing is being held in order for <br />the Board to submit a recommendation to the Common Council <br />concerning the Vacation Petition filed by John Edward Sullivan, <br />1118 East Wayne Street, South Bend, Indiana and Mary Cecilia <br />Roemer, 1112 East Wayne Street, South Bend, Indiana. It was <br />further noted that pursuant to South Bend Municipal Code Section <br />18-53.8, owners whose property abut the proposed alley to be <br />vacated were notified of the Board's Public Hearing date. <br />Mr. John Edward Sullivan, 1118 East Wayne Street, was present and <br />addressed the Board. He stated that the vacation of this alley <br />is requested to ensure the safety of the children in the <br />neighborhood as there are approximately twenty (20) children of <br />grade school age or younger in a one-half block area. He further <br />advised that due to the fact that there is business located at <br />316 South Eddy Street there has been an increased number of cars <br />in the area utilizing the alley and "children and cars" don't <br />mix. He further stated that the alley is utilized by vehicular <br />traffic as a shortcut. He noted that the disadvantages to this <br />alley being closed are that the four (4) houses affected by the <br />closing of the alley would have to back -out onto Wayne and <br />Sunnymede Streets and that garbage trucks may have problems with <br />turning movements. He indicated that it appears that garbage <br />trucks will continue to have an adequate turning radius but <br />should it be determined that they do not, the Petitioners are <br />willing to dedicate the needed property to provide a safe turning <br />radius for the trash trucks. In summary, he stated that the <br />present situation is a dangerous situation due to the increased <br />traffic and the number of children in the neighborhood. Mr. <br />Sullivan submitted to the Board a Petition in support to vacate <br />the alley signed by twenty-one (21) residents of the area. Mr. <br />Sullivan additionally advised that he has been in contact with <br />Bureau of Solid Waste who advised him that trash trucks would <br />have adequate access but would be conducting an actual test on <br />April 9, 1986, to determine if the trucks had a safe turning <br />movement. <br />Ms. Mary Roemer, 1112 East Wayne Street, South Bend, Indiana, <br />Co -Petitioner, was also present and advised the Board that she <br />would like to underscore Mr. Sullivan's comments that the present <br />situation is a serious one and that she supports the proposed <br />vacation in spite of any inconvenience it may cause. <br />Mr. Allen Mitschelen, 1107 Sunnymede Avenue, South Bend, Indiana, <br />was present and submitted to the Board a letter from F.G. <br />Buechner, Attorney -in -fact for Vera Buechner, property owner at <br />1111 Sunnymede Avenue, South Bend, Indiana. The letter indicated <br />concerns regarding the proposed vacation of the alley and asked <br />whether or not there were alternatives. Further, the letter <br />raised questions regarding maneuverability of family vehicles, <br />snow removal and trash truck access. <br />Mr. Mitschelen advised the Board that he is opposed to the <br />closing of the alley and stated that during a recent observation, <br />he noted that only two (2) non-resident vehicles utilized the <br />alley and that the residents of the neighborhood utilize the <br />alley for access. He stated that the closing of the alley would <br />create a nuisance. Further, trash trucks cannot make the turn <br />and currently utilize private property in order to do so. He <br />stated that it would additionally create a hardship in the winter <br />for the plowing of snow. <br />There being no one else present wishing to speak either for or <br />against the proposed alley vacation, and no written objections <br />having been filed with the Board, upon a motion made by Mr. <br />Leszczynski, seconded by Ms. Barnard and carried, the Public <br />Hearing on this matter was closed. <br />1 <br />Fj <br />