10-26-98 Council Meeting Minutes

Home Browse Search

REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 26, 1998 Richard Michalak, Portage, MI, son of the petitioner, advised that there has been a change in the traffic pattern to the point there is damage to property on the alley, as well as the curbs on the street. Paul Fujawa, 1121 W. Grace, advised that he was a structural engineer and traffic was damaging home in the area. Charles Vanacker, 19413 Kern, indicated that his mother lived on W. Sample, and she was against this vacation. He questioned how "1 the utilities would access their easement. His question was answered by the Council as well as the City engineer. A question was raised about Mr. Knight's access to his garage. Mrs. Michalak indicated he will receive access to the garage. Council Member Varner made a motion to recommend this bill to the Council favorable, seconded by Council Member Aranowski. The motion carried. BILL NO. 77 -98 A BILL TO VACATE THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PROPERTY: SIX ALLEYS AND THREE STREETS IN HOMELAND 3RD ADDITION AND RICHLAND 2ND ADDITION (PT. VACATED) Council Member Coleman made a motion to continue public hearing, at the request of the petitioner, until November 9, seconded by Council Member Kelly. The motion carried. BILL NO. 70 -98 A BILL TO VACATE THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PROPERTY: 27TH STREET FROM THE SOUTH RIGHT -OF -WAY OF E. MC KINLEY AVENUE TO THE NORTH RIGHT -OF -WAY OF E. COLFAX AVENUE FOR A DISTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY 700 FEET AND A WIDTH OF 60 FEET. LOCATED IN WALNUT GROVE MUTUAL HOUSING CORPORATION This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Council Member Varner reported that the Public Works and had met on this bill and had no recommendation. Lillian Buti, 2810 Hickory Lane, president of Walnut Grove Mutual Housing Corp., made the presentation for the bill. She indicated they were asking for the vacation of this street because of the people using this street as a cut through to Jefferson, are driving too fast, causing danger to'pedestrians and damage to property. She advised they are also dumping a lot of trash on the Walnut Grove property. James Duxbury, 2635 Tamarc, a board member of the housing corp., indicated he has lived there for thirty -nine years. He advised that when they come off McKinley, they drive as fast as they can and they do not observe stop signs or general traffic rules. He informed the Council that they have put up with it for many years and it is only getting worse. Roy Vanetti, 103 S. 26th, indicated the Area Plan Commission recommended approval of this vacation. Council Member Varner explained it was the Economic Development Department that recommended approval. JoAnn Hill, 2620 Tamarac, reported that she has lived in Walnut Grove for three years and has had to call 11911" four times because of accidents caused by speeding through the area. Barbara Steel, 2620 Aspen, indicated it was a safety factor, as well as the fact that the speeders are ruining the curbs and grass in the development. Lillian Buli presented a petition to the Council in favor of this vacation. Paul Meyers, 108 N. 29th, advised that they do not have tree lawns, we have street, curb, and sidewalks and the volume of speeding traffic makes it very dangerous for walkers. Shannon Sanfield, 129 S. 26th, we have to park on 26th Street and just getting in and out of the car is a hazard. Carl Littrell, City Engineer, spoke against this proposed vacation of 27th street. He advised that the Board of Works gave this an unfavorable recommendation. He reported that there are several different means of traffic calming to slow down the flow of traffic. Bert Prawat, chief of fire prevention, indicated that if this street was closed it could slow down response time for the fire trucks and ambulances. Council Member Hosinski made a motion to recommend this bill to the Council favorable, however, the motion failed due to a lack of a second. Council Member Coleman made a motion to continue