06-23-03 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JUNE 23, 2003 This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Robert Adams, 314 North Taylor Street, South Bend, Indiana, advised that he is on the Lincolnway West Corridor Committee and is Chairman of the Safety Committee. In the last three (3) years they did an extensive rezoning on Lincolnway and several alleys that were underutilized or not utilized and were a hazard were discussed. The proposed alley to be vacated is one of the alleys that they pinpointed as a problem and the Corridor Committee supports the position to vacate the alley. Ms. Opal Jost, 320 North Taylor Street, South Bend, Indiana, noted that she owns the property at 420 Lincolnway West which is across the street from this alley. She stated that the alley is a nuisance because people that go through the alley throw trash. Ms. Jost stated that she sees no benefit to the alley at all. She noted that her daughter, Ms. Beverly Lynch, owns the two (2) houses and will make a beautiful area if she is allowed to close this alley. There were no other individuals present wishing to speak in favor of this bill. The following individual spoke in opposition to this bill: Mr. Calvin Murdock, 417 Lincolnway West, South Bend, Indiana, advised the Council that he utilizes this alley. He noted that it is the only north/south alley between North Taylor Street and North William Street. The strategic importance of the alley in the morning is that when the eastern sun is out you cannot see driving the long alley that spans between North Taylor Street and William Street. He noted that the shortest distance to Lincolnway is this north/south alley. Also, there is traffic congestion on North William Street because there is a blind curve. From a safety standpoint it is much more advantageous to exit westbound to Lincolnway from this north/south alley then attempt to exit at North William Street. Mr. Murdock noted that his family owns Lot #13 and Lot #16 which is within the one hundred fifty foot (150') impact area. He noted that the two (2) individuals who spoke earlier and live at 420 Lincolnway and 314 Taylor Street do not actually live within the impact area pursuant to the ordinance. There was no one else present wishing to speak in opposition to this bill. In rebuttal, Ms. Lynch stated that as Mr. Murdock indicated he is the only person that utilizes this alley and that is because he does not want to drive down to William Street which would be much safer to turn right and come out at the light onto Lincolnway Way. She noted that vehicles can turn left and go to the back alley and come up Madison Street to another light that will bring them back onto Lincolnway West. The blind curve which Mr. Murdock mentioned is a mile away from this alley proposed to be vacated. She reiterated that the alley goes from a width of fourteen feet (14') feet to ten feet (10'). Additionally, Mr. Murdock uses this alley only in the morning to turn around and park right in front of his house. She indicated that there are three (3) other ways to get out. Councilmember Kelly made a motion for favorable recommendation to full Council concerning this bill. Councilmember Aranowski seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes. BILL NO. 45 -03 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL TO VACATE THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PROPERTY: THE NORTH /SOUTH ALLEY WEST OF LOGAN STREET