08-12-02 Public Works and Property Vacation

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Committu port: tb1it Works anti Vroivrty Natation (tGoucmitfe The August 12, 2002 committee meeting of the Public Works and Property Vacation was called to order by its Chairperson Council Member David Varner at 4:23 pm in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members: Kelly, Varner, Pfeifer, Aranowski, King, Coleman, White and Kirsits; City Engineer Carl Littrell, Charlotte B. Sobel and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Varner called for a presentation on Bill No. 56-02 which proposes to vacate a portion of the first north/south alley west of Walnut Street and a portion of the first north/south alley west of Walnut Street with both alleys being a part of Studebaker and Hines' Plat of the City of South Bend. Dr. Varner noted that the proposed vacation received a favorable recommendation from the Board of Public Works as represented by their correspondence dated August 12, 2002 (copy attached). Charlotte B. Sobel,Director of Real Estate Development for South Bend Heritage Foundation,Inc. Filed a Limited Power Attorney with the Council Attorney (copy attached) and then made a presentation on the proposed vacation. She noted that the vacation would reduce the foot and vehicular traffic from Washington Street to Colfax Avenue. It would also permit the replatting of the surrounding vacant land in order to continue the construction of single family, owner occupied affordable housing similar to the housing just to the south on lots in the 1300 and 1400 block of West Washington. Following discussion, Council Member King made a motion, seconded by Council Member Aranowski that Bill No. 56-02 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Council Member Varner noted that James A. Masters, the attorney for the Petitioner on Bill No. 40-02 sent a letter dated August 2, 2002 requesting that this Bill be continued until the August 26th Council meeting in order to continue "the process of resolving certain issues with an adjacent property owner,Dr. Robert Proudfit". Council Member King made a motion, seconded by Dr. Varner that Bill No. 40-02 be recommended to be continued until August 26th, at the request of the Petitioner. The motion passed. There being no further business to come before the joint Committees, Dr. Varner adjourned the meeting at 4:28 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Council Member David Varner, Chairperson Public Works and Property Vacation Committee KCF:kmf Attachments