08-11-75 Council Meeting Minutes

Home Browse Search

REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 11 1975 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) the present time. Mrs. Lee Swan, 2022 South Swygart Avenue, indicated that her remarks made at the public hearing on the Brademas proposal concerning the crime issue had been used by Mr. Bradem against the Millrace proposal. She indicated that she found this interesting. Mr. Wilson stated that he wished to have rebuttal to Mr. Brademas' statements. Chairman Newburn granted the request Mr. Wilson indicated that Mr. Brademas would not have appeared against the proposed rezoning if he had not been involved in a similar proposal on the west side of town, in his opinion. He indicate4 that he did not want to "pick apart" the proposal of Brademas. He felt that the Millrace proposal was in conformity with the plans and this "was the guts of the matter ". He again stated that everything would be subject to approval of a detailed site plan by the Area Plan Commission. Regarding the food store issue, it was proposed that a convenience -type commercial activity could be utilized. Councilman Miller asked Mr. Brademas if he would withdraw his proposal, would he have any other proposals to submit. Mr. Brademas indicated that there was a proposal in conjunction with the 100 Center of which he was the developer. He stated that he was disturbed by what he had seen going on in the downtown area, the city's housing areas, and the Ohio - Keasey area. He indicated that he had offered to help the city in any way he could to help solve some of the problems in the area of housing. He stated again that he would withdraw his proposal for housing if Millrace woul also withdraw its proposal. Councilman Miller wondered if there was a land limit in the area in that the building was proposed at 13 stories. Mr. Wilson indicated that there was no need for additional parking. Councilman Miller indicated that he was concerned about the total area to be used for the project. Mr. Wilson indicated that other structures in the area would naturally have some affect on the proposed high -rise. Councilman Miller indicated that the Council had requested more development planning. He felt it was time for the city to get involved in the construction of subsidized housing units. He indicated that he was in favor of the housing wherever it would gi He felt the development in that area was needed and the area would improve as it was developed. Councilman Serge indicated that homes for the elderly were in great demand. He felt Mr. Brademas should not withdraw his proposal if the Council approved the Millrace proposal. Mr. Brademas indicated that his purpose was not to promote his proposal at the expense of the Millrace proposal however, he felt development in that area could not happen at this time. He felt the people could only be protected by a high -rise building. Councilman Serge indicated that the proposal was in thi area of $5 million. He asked about the construction of a food store. Mr. Wilson indicated that the convenience -type facility would be included in the proposal until there was such a development in the area. Councilman Szymkowiak wondered if the area, at one time had been suggested to be use4 as a motel. Mr. Hickey indicated that the Holiday Inn._had considered the area but had decided against construction because of the economy. Councilman Szymkowiak wondered about security and protection for the residents against fire. Mr. Arnold Anderson, President of Miller, Melby, Jones and Anderson Architects, indicated that the building would be concrete, and all the interior corridors would have automatic sprinkler systems. He indicated that the rooms would be equipped with a smoke detector. Councilman Szymkowiak talked about the problems of fires in high -rise buildings. He wondered how many elevators would be installed. Mr. Anderson indicated that there would be two elevators; however, he pointed out that, in case of fire, no elevators should be used and are usually called to the main floor. He indicated that there were stairways and a sprinkler system which would be activated in case of fire. He stated again that an elevator system should not be used in case of fire. He indicated that there was a great possibility of malfunctioning. Councilman Szymkowiak felt there might be a problem in getting the elderly residents down to the main floor by way of the stairs. Mr. Anderson indicated that the residents of any building, in the event of a fire in a high -rise, were urged to stay within their units with the doors closed in order to enable the firemen to fight the fire. Councilman Szymkowiak felt there was not sufficient parking when visitors were considered. Mr. Anderson indicated that, through past experience, in ai urban area, parking requirements from .25 to .35 per unit were adequate. Councilman Szymkowiak wondered what would be done if the streets in the area were designated for no parking. Mr. Anderson indicated that there was room to provide additional parking on the site in the future; however, it was felt this was not necessary. Councilman Horvath wondered how the crime percentage! had been arrived at by Mr. Brademas. Mr. Brademas indicated that his district was much larger than the proposal for Millrace and the crime rate was still lower. He indicated that the rate was measured on the basis of population and size of the area. He stated that the central business district was one of the highest crime rate areas and that his figures had been obtained from the city's records. Councilman Horvath felt Mr. Brademas had been "bleak" about the development in the downtown area. He talked about the parks and the proposed Civic Center. He felt that project! of this type might bring in food stores, etc. Mr. Brademas felt it was not realistic to bring in food store for 184 elderly persons living on low incomes. He felt the elderly should not be used as the "pathfinders and groundbreakers to go into a highly industrial area ". Councilman Horvath felt the proposal of Millrace was a good one. He wondered how far from Mr. Brademas' proposed construction was a food store. Mr. Brademas indicated that the bus came .down Lombardy, and Councilman Horvath wondered if the store was located within walking distance, and Mr. Brademas hesitated. Councilman Kopczynski indicated that Mr. Brademas had been given the opportunity to construct his proposal even though he had voted against it because of the wishes of the people. As far as using census tract crime figures, he felt they should not be considered and the two area: compared. He felt that some of the statements made by Mr. Brademas had not affected him in the least. Councilman Nemeth asked for a point of order, and Chairman Newburn indicated that the proposal before the Council was the East LaSalle project. He asked that the councilmen comment on that proposal. Councilman Kopczynski indicated that he was only using the Brademas project as a comparison. Councilman Miller made a motion that the ordinance be recommended favorably to the Common Council, seconded by Councilman Taylor. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A CONTRACT BETWEEN THE BUREAU OF WATER OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AND GATES CHEVROLET CORPORATION OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, FOR THE PURCHASE OF CER- TAIN MOTOR VEHICLES IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $8,725.00. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Paul Krueper, Manager of the Bureau of Water made the presentation for the ordinance. He indicated that bids had been accepted and approved by the Board of Water Works Commissioners for the three motor vehicles. He stated that he had requested the vehicles previously and had been turned down, and for this reason he was back again before the Council.