01-25-16 PARC - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

and preserve the ecological integrity at Elbel. He is asking the Council to consider that level of due diligence and form a commission which would include the voice of preservationists. He asks the administration to protect our natural heritage because no amount of economic progress can make up for this loss. He stated Indiana has lost 85% of its wetland habitat and ranks fourth in percentage of wetlands lost in the U.S. He asked that the city not add to those statistics by selling Elbel Park. He stated all residents need the city to protect public access to Elbel and connect residents with our surroundings which strengthens our ties which bind us to our city. Chris Cobb, 215 E Pokagon St 46617, stated he wanted to thank the Council for the opportunity to hear all this information and ideas. These ideas would not have been known if you had not decided to hold this meeting. He stated it was not in the design of the process to learn all of these ideas and learn this valuable information. He stated whatever new offers are set forth, nothing substantial should go forward without a commission being established because there is much we do not know about Elbel. He stated we love this city and we do not want this city to be diminished by the loss of a property like Elbel. He stated responding to the lease idea, while though it would be compatible with the idea Elbel should not be sold, it continues the pattern of keeping the city outside of the property. He stated there are people here who want to better Elbel and a lease would not make that possible. The proposed nature preserve to be split off does not include all of Mud Lake. He stated we have so many questions about this issue and we always get a different answer. He stated we have yet to get coherence from the city. Ted Krudgen, 1301 Hampshire Dr, stated he is not with any group. He stated he has lived here since 1970 and has learned to love this area. He stated he kayaks, camps, and hikes all the time. He stated we have so much nature to see in our community and when he stated he learned of this possible sale it almost made him sick. The price of sale is ridiculous. Elbel is priceless and that sale would be a pittance of what it is worth. He stated you could simply raise the rates by three dollars and there would be the solution to the budgeting issues. Macia Kizer, Andrea Ct. Mishawaka In, stated she is the president of the Women's 18 hole league at Elbel Golf Course. She stated Elbel is so special because her group includes women from so many other leagues who joined because of the beauty of the Elbel Course. She also stated the price of the sale was ridiculous. She asked who is going to be the person to tell all the members of the elven golf leagues, south bend high school golf teams, and all the other patrons who use Elbel that they can no longer golf. She stated Elbel provides amenities Erskine does not provide such as a better driving range and more parking. She stated her league has increased by 27% since last year. Golf courses have suffered because of the recession and over the last twelve years Elbel has made over $200,000.00. Golf is starting so soon and it is obvious to her that Elbel needs to remain a golf course in perpetuity. She stated it would be sad to see South Bend only have one 18 hole golf courses. David Lindholm, 56330 Peppermint Rd South Bend, he stated Elbel is really a jewel that needs to be preserved and not sold to a private enterprise. He stated when he moved to South Bend in the 1960s he used to drive out into the country by Grape Rd. and now it is unrecognizable, he does not want to see Elbel become something like Grape Rd. is today. 7