04-10-00 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING APRIL 10, 2000 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. J. Edward Talley, Director, Historic Preservation Commission, 227 West Jefferson Boulevard, Room 1123, South Bend, Indiana, informed the Council that he is a current resident of the area. He noted that this program has been in the works for many years and he therefore asks for the Council's favorable recommendation on these vacations. There was no one else present wishing to speak to the Council in support of this bill. Mr. Joseph Sutherland, 744 North Harrison, South Bend, Indiana, advised the Council that he has been a resident of this area for the last five (5) years having lived in the neighborhood for twenty - nine (29) years when he was growing up. Mr. Sutherland told the Council that the neighborhood is going to shambles. He stated that he uses his alley, which has already been blocked, to get to the back of his home. He noted that the neighborhood is basically rental properties and the grass that was put in the alleys looks bad because no one takes care of it. In conclusion, Mr. Sutherland noted that he opposes the vacation of the alleys and he does not understand the reason they were closed as no one is taking care of the grass that Was put down. Ms. Carolyn Sutherland, 744 North Harrison, South Bend, Indiana, informed the Council that she likes her alley and she uses her alley as it provides a way for her to get into her yard. She stated that she does not have a problem with the improving of the alley but does not want it taken it away. She prefers that they stay open and she wants the use of her alley. There was no one else present wishing to address the Council in opposition to this bill. In rebuttal, Ms. Kopczynski indicated that she has not met the Sutherland's even though they met with abutting property owners. She indicated that the neighbors need to work with the neighborhood center on issues that affect their neighborhoods and is sorry that the Sutherland's are disappointed with the recent improvements to the alleys. Ms. Kopczynski advised that they have replanted trees in the area and they will do everything they can to keep the neighborhood up. She encouraged residents to take part in the organization as they are looking for leadership from the neighborhood. Councilmember Aranowski stated that this vacation plan has been in the works for the past two (2) to three (3) years and they talked to abutting property owners regarding the process. He further stated that residents were very satisfied that the east /west alleys would be closed. Additionally, the Police Department and Street Department are pleased with the closings. In conclusion, Councilmember Aranowski pointed out that these closings did not take away any access to garages. Councilmember Aranowski made a motion for favorable recommendation to full Council concerning Bill No. 31 -00. Councilmember Varner seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. Additionally, Councilmember Coleman made a motion for favorable recommendation to full Council concerning Bill No. 32 -00. Councilmember King seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. BILL NO. 28-00 A BILL OF THE SOUTH BEND COMMON COUNCIL AMENDING CHAPTER FOUR, ARTICLE FOUR, SECTION 18.5 OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING ADULT BUSINESSES Councilmember Coleman made a motion to continue this bill until the June 12, 2000 meeting of the Council at the request of the Petitioner. Councilmember Aranowski seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. 1 �I 1