10-14-02 Residential Neighborhoods

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• r tommittet *port tb uti�ci Ittigbborbootto QGommit# t The October 14,2002 meeting of the Residential Neighborhoods Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Charlotte D. Pfeifer at 4:05 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Aranowski, Pfeifer, King, Kuspa, Varner, Kirsits, Coleman and Kelly; Community& Economic Development Director Jon Hunt, Bob Case, City Engineer Carl Littrell,John Leszczynski and Joe DeFranco of the Troyer Group,Terry Bland of the iklUt j Oenti ' Gri tltUI and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand,Council Attorney. Council Member Pfeifer noted that she called this meeting in order for the Council to receive a report on the proposed Bendix Drive Re-routing plans. She noted that the third community meeting will be held at Kennedy School on Olive this Wednesday at 6 p.m. She called this meeting so that the Council was aware of all of the recommendations which will be made at that upcoming meeting. City Engineer Carl Littrell stated that this project is in conjunction with attempting to retain the Bosch Corporation in our community. Bosch is looking at consolidating their campus and provide room for expansion. The Indiana Department of Commerce, St. Joseph County and the City of South Bend have provided funding for this project and the re-routing of Bendix Drive. There is a potential for a railroad grade separation some time in the future. Mr. Littrell noted that the Department of Community and Economic Development hire the Troyer Group to assist them in providing options for the re-routing of Bendix Drive. Community meetings were held in August and September where the various alternatives were presented and feedback was received. Wednesday will be the 3rd public information meeting. John Leszczynski of the Troyer Group then reviewed the three (3) proposals which were reviewed at the public meetings. He noted that Council Member Pfeifer was in attendance at both meetings. In light of the public comments received at those meetings, a 4th alternative is now being proposed. He noted that maps of each proposal have been provided at the Partnership Centers. Mr. Leszczynski then briefly reviewed each of the four(4) proposals. He stated that Proposal #4 addresses the concerns of the neighbors. It involves Meade Street and would provide a buffer between the neighborhoods and the Bosch Corporation. The roadway would be within the existing 60' right-of-way; and there would be a lot of landscaping, curbs, sidewalks and lighting. The proposal would call of the vacation of a potion of Bendix Drive. The Troyer Group did a cost analysis and Proposal # 4 was the least expensive would be recommended to the residents this Wednesday. They are still working with Amtrak officials since they may move their station to the downtown sometime in the future. Council Member Aranowski noted that he has driven this area to work for over 15 years and stated that the Orange/Washington intersection is a bad intersection. He also suggested that the lights at Washington/Olive and Washington/Orange be timed together since the north/south traffic is often backed up since they are not currently working together. Council Member King noted that there is a property owner whose business currently fronts onto Washington where there is a traffic concern. Mr. Leszczynski stated that this business does a lot of business for the Bosch Corporation.