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PUBLIC WORKS AND PROPERTY VACATION SEPTEMBER 8, 2008
<br />Committee Members Present: David Varner, Derek D. Dieter, (Tom LaFountain came in at 3:25
<br />and was able to vote on Bill 50-08)
<br />Councilmember's Present: Timothy A. Rouse, Karen White, Ann Puzzello
<br />Others Present: Rita Kopala, Jamie Loo, Gary Gilot, Mayor Stephen Luecke, Tim Hudak,
<br />Catherine Fanello, Derek Spier, Jennifer Laurent, Marty Wolfson, Marco Mariani, Jim Bognar,
<br />Catherine Andres, John Leszczynski, Bob Mathia, Jitin Kain, Paul Meyer, John Tarwacki, Greg
<br />Conrad, Linda LaMont, Tom Price, Mark Smith
<br />Councilmember David Varner, Chairperson, Public Works and Property Vacation Committee
<br />called the meeting to order at 3:20 p.m.
<br />BILL NO.49-08 VACATION REQUEST OF PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY & INGRESSIEGRESS
<br />EASEMENT
<br />Derek Spier, Planner, Abonmarche Consultants, LLC, 750 Lincolnway East, South Bend, Indiana,
<br />made the presentation on this bill on behalf of the petitioner the City of South Bend Department of
<br />Community and Economic Development.
<br />Mr. Spier advised that the- Department of Community of Economic Development is in the process
<br />of redeveloping Lots, 38, 39, and 40 in the Original Plat to the City of South Bend lying
<br />contiguous to the proposed vacated right-of-way and ingress/egress easement into a hotel and
<br />parking facility. The vacated real estate is needed for the planned development of said lots. The
<br />City Board of Public Works considered and approved both the vacation and easement releases
<br />within these public rights-of-way at their July 28, 2008 meeting.
<br />Jennifer Laurent, Division of Economic Development, 12th Floor County-City Building, 227 W.
<br />Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana, spoke in favor of this bill.
<br />Ms. Laurent stated that this vacation will make an enormous impact on the development of the
<br />proposed hotel and parking garage. She urged the Council's favorable recommendation.
<br />There being no one else wishing to speak in favor or opposed to the bill.
<br />Chairperson, David Varner stated that due to the lack of a quorum, this bill will go to the full
<br />Council with no recommendation.
<br />BILL NO.50-08 ALLEY VACATION - DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. BLVD FROM W.
<br />WASHINGTON ST.
<br />James E. Bognar, Petitioner, 807 W. Washington Street, South Bend, Indiana, made the
<br />presentation for this bill.
<br />Mr. Bognar advised that the alley in question is exactly 8 foot wide and was created by the Board
<br />of Public Works on January 9, 1923, (Condemnation Resolution No. 70.) The purpose of this
<br />alley was to provide connection with other alleys to allow city children a path to Colfax School on
<br />Lincoln Way West. The alley is too narrow for public service vehicles (Ambulance, Fire, and Solid
<br />Waste) and the connection at the junction of east/west north/south point is not a "true plus"
<br />design. The alley is a safety hazard for children as that auto that can use the alley cannot see
<br />pedestrians on foot. Mr. Bognar stated that he met with Assistant Chief Federico Rodriguez to
<br />review his concerns with the vacation of this alley. Mr. Bognar advised that the alley in question
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