REGULAR MEETING MAY 24 ,1976
<br />COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED)
<br />Second. The proposed 271 parking spaces fall approximately 40 spaces short of the parking requiz
<br />if the motel is to contain a 4,000 square feet meeting room as proposed. The site is not large
<br />enough to accommodate this additional parking. The staff of the Area Planning Commission has
<br />allowed departure from established standards in this respect only because they have not been
<br />followed by some other motels in the city and county area. However, our neighborhood is unlike
<br />that adjacent to these other motels. An exception to established parking standards in this case
<br />would lead to a heavy increase in parking on nearby residential streets. We hope the Council wil
<br />agree that his would be a most damaging intrusion upon the privacy of our streets and the value o
<br />our property.
<br />Finally, the new intersections of Twyckenham Drive and State Road #23 and Edison Road will meet
<br />at least three of the warrants for signalization and channelization. The City Engineer's office
<br />agrees that this new site development will heighten the dangers of these intersections. Estimat
<br />traffic loads (1976) for State Road #23 at this point exceed 12,500 per day (533per hour), while
<br />those for North Twyckenham Drive exceed 4,500 per day or 190 per hour. The intersection there-
<br />fore will meet the warrants for #1 minimum vehicular volume, #2 interruption of continuous traffi
<br />and #3 accident experience.
<br />The proposed development of the siteshould not go forward under any circumstances unless the Coun
<br />can guarantee the neighborhood that its children will be protected by the signalization and chann
<br />ization of the new intersections. The only way to insure that the intersection will be improved
<br />simultaneously with the construction of the Motor Inn would be to require the developer to financ
<br />the signalization and channelization of these two intersections. A reliable and prestigious de-
<br />veloper such as the Hilton Corporation would have no qualms about such a restriction, which has
<br />already been imposed upon the developers of the Scottsdale Mall. The promoter of this project,
<br />however, has threatened to "call off the whole deal" if he is required to provide such life - saving
<br />improvements. There is no better indication of the risk the Council takes if it passes this pet
<br />ition. At the very least, if his petition is passed, he should be required to deposit the funds
<br />necessary for the improvement of the intersections in an escrow account for the City before con-
<br />struction begins.
<br />However, we are convinced that the City can make a far better case for attracting the Hilton Co
<br />oration to South Bend than has or could be made by this promoter. We respectfully request the
<br />Common Council to vote to deny this petition."
<br />He said the view�4iich the neighborhood has of the University of Notre Dame adds to the value of
<br />their homes. He requested the Council to deny this rezoning. He indicated the backers of this
<br />property have still not come forward, and he said that even a motel of high quality would damage
<br />the neighborhood, and in the event the motel is operated at standards lower than the Hilton it
<br />would damage the entire neighborhood.
<br />Mr. Carl O'Nell, 1432 South Bend Avenue, questioned the financial feasibility, due to the fact
<br />that the Morris Inn on the campus of Notre Dame is not making it financially.
<br />Mr. John Reese, 1121 White Oak, indicated the motel should be built downtown close to the Century
<br />Center.
<br />Mr. Bill Hobing, 1616 Scottswood, indicated he moved into the area because it was one of the fine
<br />residential areas in the City. He strongly urged the Council to make sure the citizens are not
<br />driven from the City.
<br />Mr. Ed Mark, 110 Napoleon Blvd., asked if there was a picture of the motel, and what height dimen-
<br />sion was being applied for in the rezoning. Council Member Horvath indicated that before the mote
<br />could be built a final site plan was necessary. Mr. Dick Johnson, Director of Area Plan, indicatE
<br />there was a preliminary site plan in the chambers, and that the final site plan must be in accord-
<br />ance with the preliminary site plan.
<br />Mrs. Hoffman, 1258 N. Twyckenham, spoke again regarding the accident problem.
<br />Mr. Arthur Quigley, 1019 E. Francis, indicated that this was one of the several quality neighbor-
<br />hoods on the northeast side, and it should be kept as such.
<br />Dr. Lillian. Stanton, 919 Oak Ridge, indicated this was not just a matter of a simple rezoning.
<br />Mr. Ed Witmore, 1308 White Oak, indicated he was concerned over the effect on the property value.
<br />Mr. William Marrin, 1120 White Oak, indicated he was concerned over the "G" height being requester
<br />Mr. Kenneth Milani, 1010 Oak Ridge, indicated there was.a lack of solid financial data, as well as
<br />a lack of commitment from Hilton.
<br />Mr. Don Harris, 1248 N. Twyckenham, indicated that he thought the Council should take note of
<br />several points that have been made, and he covered the several points he felt were important.
<br />Slides were shown of the neighborhood.
<br />Mr. Thomas Magers, 1412 South Bend Avenue, discussed the quality of living in the neighborhood.
<br />Mr. John Uhran, 1349 E. Monroe, indicated he was from Sunnymede and they were concerned about the
<br />quality of living in the City and maintaining the quality of the neighborhood. He said when you
<br />start "spot" zoning you cause the neighborhood to decline.
<br />Mr. Don Fisher, 909 Riverside, representing the Park Avenue Neighborhood Association, said they
<br />were all struggling to maintain the residential areas in the City and this cannot enhance the
<br />residential area.
<br />Mr. William Marrin, 1120 White Oak, indicated he felt the Hilton should be located downtown.
<br />Louvenia Cain, 1207 W. Washington, indicated the Council should give this matter more study.
<br />
|