04/26/76 Board of Public Works Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING APRIL 26, 1976 Mr. Farrand said the petition was brought about because of some changes in pedestrian traffic' n-the schools in the area The City of South Bend would be responsible for any intersection work and is listed on the assessment roll at an assessment of $1,391.00. The amount assessed against property owners is $44,505.00. John Bilancio, 5802 Miami Road, advised the Board that there are 27 homes involved in the project and he has a.petition of remonstrance signed by 20 property owners who oppose the project. Ile said six property owners were out of town and could not be contacted to sign the petition. Mr. Bilancio said, from his observation, there are very few children walking in this area and that sidewalks might prove to be more of a hazard. Mr. Bilancio said traffic on Miami Road travels at a high rate of speed, something like 50 miles an hour. Mrs. Joann Bailey, 5220 Miami Road, said she feels the side- walks would be of no advantage to 'the -children and said she is opposed to the project. Sandy Jones, 5528 Miami, said she did not feel the sidewalks would be used and does not feel the property owners should have to pay.to install sidewalks that would not be used. Mrs. Joseph Woyton, 5914 Miami, said she has two small children and has difficulty keeping them in the back yard now. She said there are plans to widen Miami.Road and she is concerned about the safety of children in the area and feels the sidewalks would increase the hazard. Mr. John Zerbes, 5902 Miami Road, said there is no problem in the area now. He said his children walk to the corner to get the school bus at the present time. Ruth Bruns, 6002 Miami Street, said she was opposed to the installation of the sidewalks and did not feel they would benefit the children. Mr. Joseph Woyton, 5914 Miami, said he was against the project for many reasons. He said the property owners are still paying their Barrett Law assessment for the sewers in the area and he did not feel they should be expected to pay an additional assessment for sidewalks. He said property owners are paying for the buses to take children to school and are now being asked to pay for sidewalks to they can walk to school. Mr. Walter Nemeth, 5450 Miami Road,.asked about the sidewalks in connection with future plans to widen Miami Road. Mr. Farrand said the sidewalk project will take into consideration the future plans for widening. Harley Matson, 5702 Miami Road, said he has a lot of difficulty keeping children out of his yard.now. He said because of the grade of the highway at his corner, there is a safety problem now and, if the sidewalks are installed, they might be below the level of the highway making the safety factor more critical. The children walking on the sidewalk would be at the mercy of the traffic. Mr. Matson said the property owners would also be expected to clean the sidewalks. He said there are other routes for children walking and they could very well use Berkshire, Raleigh and Cambridge Drive out to Miami. Mr. R.-Finley, representing the Southern Baptist Church, 1130 E..Jackson Road, said the church is opposed to the sidewalk construction. Ile said there are sidewalks on Jackson Road in front of the church, but that children take a shortcut through the church property. He said there was over $700 vandalism done to church property last year and the construction of these sidewalks might increase the vandalism. Mr. Finley said he would sign the petition remonstrating against the construction. Mrs. Bailey, 5220 Miami Road, said McCracken Homes built a sidewalk in the area and it is not used. She said they have a drainage ditch near her property and they park there. She said water runs down and stands in her driveway. Mr. Farrand said the Department of Engineering would investigate this condition. Andy Beutter, 5216 Miami Road, said he has only lived in the area for one month and he asked if someone did actually petition for the construction of these sidewalks. Mr. Farrand said the project was initiated by petition. Mr. Beutter asked if there were any figures to substantiate the claim that pedestrian traffic in the area of the schools would increase. Mr. Farrand said it was his feeling that this was the School Corporation position. Mr. Beutter said his observation was that pedestrian traffic in the area was zero. He said, since school is only in session from September to June and most children do not walk in the bad weather, they are being asked to.put sidewalks in for use only four or five months in the year.