09-13-10 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 13, 2010 Loren Waggy, 59310 W. Linden Road, South Bend, Indiana, stated that he is concerned about more land contamination. He stated that the petitioner states that he has a machine that will drain most of the fluids from the vehicles being crushed, but doesn’t believe that is going to be good enough. Bob Wiseman, 3402 S. Locust Road, South Bend, Indiana, stated that he is here tonight representing Christ Chapel Church formerly known as St. Mary’s Church. He stated that in 2008 they purchased from the Catholic Diocese of Ft. Wayne South Bend approximately 40 acres on the south side of Locust Road. Mr. Wiseman stated that this project is going to be located near the southwest corner of their property. He stated that this project is being perceived as the perfect plan. Mr. Wiseman stated that there is never a perfect plan; there is always a hiccup or two in every plan. He noted that the shredder will emit dust, noise, smell, vibration that could totally disrupt any plans that they might have for their property. He stated that the 40 acres are pristine property and more than half are wooded. He stated that it is just beautiful land, they have deer, wild turkey and just about every kind of wild bird you can imagine. They have wildflowers and walking trails back on the south and east side of the property. This project will be directly in that area. He questioned the location of this project and why does it have to been within the city limits. He stated that he would like to see South Bend as a city that everyone can be proud of and he questioned how South Bend can grow in the right direction with a car shredded in the plan. Jim Parker, 1717 W. Ireland Road, South Bend, Indiana, stated that he went to Gary, Indiana to see the car shredder that they have. He stated that it is the same machine that the Schlipps are proposing to put in at the Gertrude Street location. Mr. Parker stated that the machine in Gary is capable of crushing approximately 700 cars a day. He stated that to get to this facility if Gary you take Cline Avenue, which a 4 lane highway is; it is near the Gary Airport. He stated that there was a metal smell and taste involved as he toured the facility. He stated that when there are prevailing winds the neighbors will be tasting and smelling metal. He noted that the infrastructure on Ewing Avenue, Ireland Road and Chippewa Avenue is totally inadequate. He noted that Bowman Creek runs along Ireland Road to Linden Avenue and there is a culvert along the very narrow Chippewa Avenue and Gertrude Streets. He stated that this is not safe for the residents who live in this neighborhood. Mr. Parker stated that it is easy to say that the Schlipps are environmentalists however have their disclosed their green mission statement. He urged the Council to vote against this bill. Paul Duda, 2133 S. Taylor, South Bend, Indiana, stated that he is here tonight representing the Rum Village Neighborhood Association and that at their last meeting nineteen (19) members were opposed to this project, six (6) were in favor and one (1) no vote. Judith Obermeyer, 3447 S. Locust Road, South Bend, Indiana, stated that when she first moved into her home it was in the county. She stated that it was annexed into the City and after 20 years later they started to receive city services. She stated that they deal with the noise from the U.S. 20 by-pass and have come to accept the run off into the Rum Village Neighborhood from the north/south continental divide. She stated that she has recently retired from teaching in the South Bend Community School Corporation and enjoys spending time on her sun porch, however, now she will have to learn to deal with more noise from the shredder. She stated that this area has seen recent residential growth with the Prairie View Apartments, Emerson Woods Subdivision and approximately 50 new homes built on various lots in the Rum Village Neighborhood. She stated that she has heard the commitments that Mr. Schlipp is proposing tonight, but questioned who is going to monitor all those commitments. Deanna Waggy, 59310 W. Linden Road, South Bend, Indiana, questioned whether or not there is an adequate water supply to support this kind of project. She noted that those who live in the county will have to worry about their wells and contamination. She questioned the removal of Freon from the air-conditioning pumps off the vehicles and all the combustible materials that could explode. Ms. Waggy questioned their good stewardship of the land. 12