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REGULAR MEETING <br />MARCH 12, 2007 <br />by staff this examination was performed by the Army Core of Engineers in the office. In <br />addition, the petitioner is prepared to make commitments for the density on this project <br />along with commitments that the developers will extend at their own expense sewer and <br />water to the site. <br />Councilmember Tim Rouse asked if Mr. Feeney has a letter or report from the <br />Neighborhood Association. <br />Mr. Feeney responded no he does not. <br />Mr. Feeney noted that he is not sure whether there is a Neighborhood Association out <br />there. <br />This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents <br />and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. <br />The following individuals spoke in opposition to this bill. <br />Steve Overmyer, 3447 S. Locust Road, South Bend, Indiana, advised that he is not the <br />President of any Neighborhood Association; he is just a resident that lives near the <br />proposed project. He stated that he feels like a broken record, over and over again stating <br />that this project does not fit the City of South Bend City Plan. This project does not fit <br />the neighborhood which is single family housing. He urged the Council to send a <br />message to the developer, that this is not the best use for this property, come back with a <br />plan that has single family homes on it, and you will not seen anyone remonstrating <br />against that use. <br />Mark Stevens, 3515 S. Locust Road, South Bend, Indiana, advised that he talked with the <br />Department of Natural Resources and they advised him that the wetland that is just south <br />of this property the underlying soils are also considered part of a wetland. It doesn't have <br />to be wet on the property, it just has to be in proximity or have soil around it. This <br />property is at the very end of Portage Township and at the beginning of Centre Township, <br />everything to the South, North, East and West of this property is single family. By <br />putting an apartment complex, Multi-Family 2, allows them to have up to and over <br />twelve units, even with written commitments, he believes that once the project is allowed, <br />the developer will be able to do whatever they want. MF1 more suits this particular <br />property. There are no sidewalks, curbs, bike paths on this property; the infrastructure is <br />not there for a project like this. City Plan addresses environmental management, and one <br />of the main ideas is surface runoff. By putting this apartment complex there, all the <br />runoff from the parking lot, cars, and number of people will violate that goal. Also, there <br />are safety concerns with a development of this magnitude with only a single access onto <br />Locust Road. Mr. Stevens urged the Council to recommend this bill unfavorably. <br />David Pink, 3631 S. Locust Road, South Bend, Indiana advised that the underlying issue <br />ofnon-conformity to the area. This is trying to bring a high density use to a rural single- <br />family neighborhood. There are presently no City Sewer, sidewalks or bike paths within <br />1,000 feet of this property. There is no bus service and the nearest Public School is Hay. <br />Mr. Pink stated that Locust Road is a two-lane road with no shoulder. Several utility <br />poles have been hit because of no shoulder, the last one was a week and half ago. Locust <br />Road is posted with no truck route signs because of the lack of no shoulder and lack of <br />pavement support. This project would affect the natural surroundings and wildlife that <br />the neighborhood has come to enjoy. There are many ponds on private properties <br />surrounding this project. Trespassing onto these private properties raises concern for <br />safety. The water table impact will be devastating to the neighbors. Especially, for those <br />who are running commercial grade sump pumps 24/7. The water table across the street is <br />10 inches below grade and the piece of property is not build able by state decree. We <br />already have homes built on swamps on Locust Road. You can pick them out by a <br />passing car. They are the housing with the mold growing inside and out. This is a very <br />unhealthy situation and a disaster waiting to happen. We do not need more of the same. <br />The high pressure main to provide sewer to this location requires that every homeowner <br />wanting to get into it, which is supposed to be one of the reason for offering it, would <br />12 <br />