08/30/82 Board of Public Works Minutes

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PRO REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 3'0,' '1*9'82 high as ground -level parking. Mr. Hill stated that he agreed with Mr. Nafe representing the -Western and Southern Life Insurance Company that the closing of the streets would be serious and irrevocable. He added, however, that from a technical standpoint, the concerns had been addressed and the hospital was willing to accommodate the businesses on LaSalle in the vicinity of the proposed alley closing by granting easements to them for use of the hospital property, and there would be no problem encountered with available fire protection to,the property owners. Regarding the objection of the insurance company, Mr. Hill stated that the closing of Madison and St. Peter Streets would certainly cause an inconvenience but not to such a degree that access is not otherwise provided. He expressed concern that there might be some neighbor- hood concerns not yet resolved. It was his feeling that, given the circumstances, the plan which had been developed was the most feasible considering the limited existing property available to the hospital. He stated that the Common Council would be holding a public meeting on the vacation matter prior to rendering a final decision. He felt the neighborhood concerns should be addressed at that time since the Board's involvement in the matter was on a somewhat narrower space and addressed only technical matters which appeared to have been taken care of, Mr. Leszczynski agreed, stating that the Council and its Residential Neighborhood Committee would need to address the neighborhood concerns. Upon a motion made by Mr. Hill, seconded by Mr. Leszczynski, and carried, the public hearing was closed, and a favorable recommenda- tion for the vacation of the above streets and alley was forwarded to the Common Council subject to the maintenance of all utility easements, acknowledging the reservation of the. Board regarding the increased traffic flow on LaSalle, Mr, Kernan abstained from voting on the matter. PUBLIC HEARING - VACATION OF ALLEY BY PENNY SAVER NEWSPAPER (BOWMAN'S 4TH ADDITION) Mr. Leszczynski stated that the Penny Saver Newspaper was petition- ing for the vacation of a portion of an alley running east from Michigan Street between Donald and Fox Streets, He stated that, as in the past, in order for the Board to submit a recommendation to the Common Council, a public hearing had been scheduled at this time and all property owners within 300 feet of the alley had been notified. He further advised that favorable comments in support of the vacation had been received from the Engineering Department, Area Plan Commission and Community Development Department provided additional right-of-way is dedicated to better facilitate turning movements at the alley intersection with the north -south alley. Mr, Thomas Sipress, 114 East Donald Street, stated that the closing of the westerly portion of the alley would cause him access problems to his property because of the turn involved. He stated that access was a problem now and in the winter, it was practically impossible to get to his garage because snow was pushed from the parking lot into the alley. He informed the Board that he presently used the Penny Saver parking lot many times to get through to his garage because access was difficult from the north and south. Councilwoman Beverlie Beck felt the Board should also consider the fact that the Penny Saver has applied for a variance to construct a storage facility at the rear of its property asking for a lesser setback to the alley. She stated that, if the variance was approved, access would be even more difficult on the north -south portion of the alley since the building would be so close to the actual right-of-way. Mr. Hill stated that he was concerned about the lack of access- ibility to the property owners. Mr. Joseph Smet, 118 East Donald Street, asked that the alley be kept open because he felt it would be difficult to enter his garage off just the north -south alley because of the turn involved. Mrs. Heike Dobslaw, owner of the Penny Saver Newspaper and petitioner for the vacation of the alley in