02-23-09 Common Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 23, 2009 PUBLIC HEARINGS BILL NO. 04-09 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL TO VACATE THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PROPERTY: A 14 FOOT WIDE ALLEY BEING THE FIRST EAST-WEST ALLEY LYING SOUTH OF KALORAMA STREET BETWEEN TURNOCK STREET AND THE FIRST NORTH-SOUTH ALLEY EAST OF NORTH ST. LOUIS BOULEVARD Councilmember Varner, Chairperson, Public Works and Property Vacation Committee, reported that this Committee met this afternoon and it was the consensus of the Committee to send this bill to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. Councilmember Puzzello disclosed that she is a member of the Northeast Neighborhood Revitalization Organization (NNRO) and after discussion with Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand it was determined that there is no conflict of interest regarding this bill. Mr. Derek Spier, Planner, Abonmarch Consultants, LLC., 750 Lincoln Way East, South Bend, Indiana, made the presentation for this bill. Mr. Spier advised that he had sent a letter and map to Mr. & Mrs. Weymon and hand delivered copies to the Council and Clerk addressing the concerns that were brought up at the February 9, 2009 Council Meeting, regarding the proposed alley vacation. Mr. Spier stated that essentially there will be continued access to the Weymon’s garage at 720 N. St. Louis Boulevard via the 14’ wide north-south alley located immediately east of the Weymon’s property. The vacation of this alley will prevent the Weymon’s from accessing Turnock Street from the alley to be vacated. However, there is another alley located approximately 150’ south of the alley to be vacated which provides easterly access to Turnock Street. This vacation would allow two new homes to be construction upon the vacant lots to the north of the vacated right-of-way. Without the vacation, only one new home could be constructed due to the narrow lot widths. Mr. Spier indicated that with the construction of the two new homes would be a greater benefit to the neighborhood. It has the potential to increase adjacent property values and spur additional residential development with the neighborhood. Mr. Spier reiterated that the homes are being developed through a partnership between Weiss Homes, Inc., The South Bend Heritage Foundation, and the Northeast Neighborhood Revitalization Organization. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. There was no one present wishing to speak to the Council in favor of this bill. The following individual spoke in opposition to this bill. Mrs. Delois Weymon, 720 N. St. Louis Boulevard, South Bend, Indiana, spoke in opposition to this bill. Ms. Weymon advised that she is against the closing of this alley. She stated that it would be an inconvenience to her and her husband. She also indicated that the construction of two homes would make the area too congested. In Rebuttal, Mr. Spier reiterated that the vacation of this alley benefits not only Weiss Homes, the NNRO and South Bend Heritage but the entire neighborhood has the potential as well. 2