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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-13-03 Public Works & Property Vacation tmitinittet deport u ii ors an4 Vroperty Vacation (Committcz The January 13,2003 meeting of the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member David Varner at 4:13 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Varner, Kirsits, White, Coleman, Aranowski, King, Kelly,Kuspa and Pfeifer; Community and Economic Development Executive Director Jon R. Hunt, Public Works Director Gary Gilot,William Schalliol, Bernie Feeney, Robert Case,Terry Bland of the fpouthj GriLune and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Varner noted that the Committee members for this year included Council Members King, Aranowski,Kirsits and himself. Dr. Varner then called for a presentation on Bill No. 101-02 which is a vacation request for the first east-west alley south of Jefferson Boulevard between Main Street and Lafayette Street, and the first north-south alley west of Main Street running between Jefferson Boulevard to the south right- ' of-way line of the first east-west alley south of Jefferson Boulevard. Dr. Varner noted that he had not received a recommendation from the Board of Public Works; and the Council Attorney confirmed that no written recommendation was filed with the City Clerk or the Council. Bernie Feeney made the presentation. He read a copy of a facsimile dated December 5, 2002 from the Department of Public Works which voiced concern over the creation of a dead-end alley and which stated that cross easements would be required. Mr. Feeney stated that the vacation would benefit development in that area. Plans have been developed by the Troyer Group and they are planning the file a plat with Area Plan which would be heard in February. Mr. William Schalliol showed a conceptual drawing of the proposed development. Dr. Varner asked for confirmation of the color coding noting that he believes that the yellow areas would be the areas which would remain open, the green areas are those which are proposed to be vacated and the red areas reflect the dead-end area. Dr. Varner then opened the meeting to public comment. Jon R. Hunt spoke if favor of the proposal. He stated that the cross easement would address the concern raised with regard to the policy against the creation of dead-end alleys, and that that requirement would be set forth in the bid documents;that the vacation would create development of the parcels and that they meet the needs of long-term development in the downtown. He noted that o 109 parking spaces are controlled by 1st Source. Mr. John Phair of Holladay Property Services, Inc. spoke against the ordinance. He noted that he was notified of the proposed vacation on January 3, 2003 and that his company's corporate headquarters is adjacent to the area in question. He noted that forty percent(40 %) of his parking would be lost.and that he would loose access. Last Wednesday, January 7, 2003, his company took counts of vehicles using the alleys in question. From 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. there were 650 cars which used the alleys, making it one of the busiest alleys in the city. He stated that the proposed 18' easement he considers a"poke in the eye". He further noted that nationally there is a 20% office vacancy with rental amounts down 2-5%. Of the Hollady properties there is a 30% vacancy at One Michiana Square and there was 15% less rent thru 2000. The Leighton Plaza has a Public Works and Property Vacation Committee January 13, 2003 Page 2 30% vacancy. He suggested that the Council not proceed ahead until there is a need and provided three(3) handouts to the Committee(copies attached). Mr. Hunt noted that the alleys in question are very busy alleys, noting that people use them as a short cut. He questioned whether this traffic would not be better on a city street. He further stated that the easement would be required to go into perpetuity and would be addressed in the bid documents. Council Member King noted that the Council utilized "triggering mechanism" when it considered vacations for the Adams High School renovation project on Greenlawn and the Crow Chizek expansion project. He noted that perhaps a similar mechanism could be utilized here to address Mr. Phair's concern about the timing of the vacation taking place. Mr. Hunt voiced concern that a delay may negatively impact the replat process however was advised that the replat would take place in February and that a continuance of the Bill would be to I'E January 27th. Mr. Gilot stated that the triggering mechanism could be utilized. rY gg g Council Member Kirsits asked Mr. Phair if he heard correctly that he would loose 40% of his parking. Mr. Phair stated that he realized that eventually this would happen. Mr. Hunt requested that the Bill be continued until January 27, 2003 so that a substitute bill addressing the triggering mechanism could be addressed, with a copy being sent to Mr. Phair. Following discussion, Council Member King made a motion, seconded by Council Member Kirsits that Bill No. 101-02 be continued to January 27, 2002 at the request of the petitioner. The motion passed. Mr. Robert D. Case, an Economic Development Planner then reviewed Bill No. 03-8 which would express the Council's interest in purchasing the property located at 201 South William Street. Mr. Case stated that the city would like to help a not-for-profit social service agency in acquiring the property. The Board of Public Works would then make an offer on the property from the State of Indiana. Dr. Varner noted that the property is the former Workforce Development site. In response to a question from Council Member Kirsits, Mr. Case noted that the not-for-profit had adequate resources. Mr. Hunt stated that a legally binding agreement would also be signed. Following discussion, Council Member Aranowski made a motion, seconded by Council Member King that Bill No. 03-8 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. There being no further business,Dr. Varner adjourned the meeting at 4:37 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Council Member David Varner,Chairperson Public Works and Property Vacation Committee KCF:kmf Attachments