10-26-98 Public Works & Property Vacation

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• Public Works and Property Vacation Committee October 26, 1998 Page 2 1 . Following discussion, Council Member Aranowski made a motion, seconded by Council Member Udjak that Bill No. 69-98 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. The Committee then reviewed Bill No. 79-98 which would vacate 27th Street from the i1 south right-of-way of East McKinley Avenue to the north right-of way of East Colfax avenue for a distance of 700'. Dr. Varner noted that Lillian Buti, President of the Walnut Grove Mutual Housing Corporation had requested that Bill No. 79-98 be continued from the October 26th Council meeting Mrs. Buti then made the presentation. She noted that she would be presenting a 13-page petition signed by residents in the area in favor of the proposed vacation. She stated that the petition represents 51% of the residents of Walnut Grove. She then al presented a map (copy attached) which detailed emergency snow routes, no stop and no parking posted speed limit mit si n s and no truck zones. Mr. James Duxberry then supplemented Mrs. Buti's presentation. He noted that he had lived in the area for 39 years and that he was a member of h Y the Board for Walunt Grove Mutual Housing Corporation. He reviewed examples of vandalism of homes and vehicles in the area. He further noted that fire and emergency vehicles seldom use the proposed area to be vacated. He believes that the City of South Bend should address areas of security especially since most of the members of Walnut Grove are 70 years or older. Ray Vanett, Sr. a member of the Board for Walnut Grove Mutual Housing Corporation 11' spoke in favor of the proposed vacation. He noted that there are seven (7) other ways to Jefferson if this vacation would be approved. i Mr. Carl Littrell of the City's Engineering Department spoke against the proposed vacation. He noted that the Board of Public Works gave an unfavorable recommendation. He noted that 27th Street is one of three ways from 20th to Jefferson. He further noted that 27th Street and its curbs are designed to limit speeding. He added that Eddy and Logan are the only truck routes in the area. He further noted that there have been five (5) accidents on McKinley which is under the state's control. He believes that emergency access is necessary via 27th Street. He concluded that the street is a right-of-way which is needed for public access. He added that the City would be willing to look into traffic calming devices and other diversions from this neighborhood in an attempt to look at the traffic { problems in the area. In rebuttal,Mrs. Buti noted that she had lived in the area for 47 years. She stated that 27th Street has not been used as an emergency route. She added that the McKinley intersection is in deplorable condition and that there are no speed limit signs posted on 27th whereas there are on 26th Street. Under the Committee portion, Council Member Pfeifer stated that she would like to ask questions of a representative of the South Bend Fire Department. She stated that she is concerned about the safety of the entire area. She also voiced concern in light of the fact that the area does not presently have a District Council Member since John Broden has ' resigned.