03/29/76 Board of Public Works Minuites

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REGULAR MEETING MARCH '29, 1976 alley is vacated, it will eliminate a "T"'alley intersection,. Mr. Bancroft said it.should be noted that there was a public° hearing held on this vacation before the Area Plan Commission and the Commission approved the petition by a nine to three vote. He said there were four property owners present at the Area Plan Commission hearing who spoke against the vacation. One of the objections being r:aks-:ed was that the alley is presently being used.. He said anyone driving a Ford LTD or station wagon or even a Volkswagen could not make the turn from this alley into the north -south alley without trespassing on private property. Mr. Bancroft said another objection noted was that there are garages on the alley. He displayed photos to the Board which indicate that only the sides of garages face this alley, there are no garage entrances off this alley. Mr. Bancroft displayed a site plan of the building constructed on the premises. He said the vacated alley would be used to provide access to parking spaces. He said the petitioners are providing eighty per cent more parking spaces than are required. Mr. Bancroft said the site plan has been approved by the Traffic Department and Drainage Department of the City. He said the construction of this building and the demolition of other structures in the area will do much to enhance the tax base of the City and will generate as much as three times more tax revenue. Mr. Bancroft said, since Lafayette Street is a one-way street going north, some people like to use this alley to go to Marion Street or Navarre Street. They are using the alley as, a public thoroughfare and this is not a good condition. Mr. Bancroft said it is the position of the petitioners that the vacation of this alley is in the public benefit and that it should be granted. He said the. petitioners are willing to allow the people to use the alley provided they do not abuse the privilege. He said a school bus stops at this alley to let children off and they are willing to allow the bus to load and unload children there. Mr. Bancroft said Dr. Houser would be glad to answer any questions. Mr. Brunner asked Mr. Bancroft if the alley could still be used by vehicular traffic if it was vacated. Mr. Bancraft said the petitioners are willing to allow the neighbors to continue using it. Mr. Brunner asked if the shielding of the parking area would be in conformity with all zoning regulations. Mr. Bancroft displayed landscape plans for the site and said there would be a five-foot hedge to shield the parking area. Mr. Brunner asked if the Board had Mr. Bancroft's assurance that all aspects of the zoning regula- tions would be complied with.. Mr. Bancroft answered "Yes". Mr. Mullen asked Mr. Bancroft if cars from the parking area would drive directly out to the north -south alley. Mr. Bancroft said exit from the parking spaces would be to the alley to be vacated and they anticipate that entrance to the parking spaces will be from Lafayette Street. Mr. Farrand asked if there were any other persons present who wished to speak in favor of the petition. There were none. Mr. Farrand asked if there was anyone present who wished to speak against the proposed vacation. Mr. Patrick Brennan, 215 W. Marion Street, identified himself as a property owner in the area. Mr. Brennan said property owners appeared at the Area Plan Commission hearing and presented a petition with thirty-four signatures against the vacation. He said they now have forty signatures on the remonstrance petition. Mr. Brennan said this is just a land grab. He said these people have acquired the property on both sides of this alley and now they want to close it to the people who use it and need it. Mr. Brennan said this would be the same as if the people on the north -south alley would ask to close it. He said the north -south alley is known as Sharon Place and is used a great deal. Mr. Brennan said Dr. Houser spoke to some area residents and painted a picture of