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ZONING AND VACATION COMMITTEE
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The February 26, 1990 meeting of the Zoning and Vacation
Committee was called to order at 4: 30 p.m. in the Council
informal meeting room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members: Niezgodski,
Soderberg, Voorde, Duda, Luecke, Puzzello, Zakrzewski, and
Coleman; Keith Dennis of IUSB, Rusty Owens of Cole
Associates, Craig Hudson of Cole Associates, members of the
news media, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand.
Council Member Coleman noted that he was calling the meeting
to order in the absence of its Chair Person Council Member
Lee Slavinskas who has a family member critically ill. He
noted that the first item on the agenda was to review Bill
No. 7-90 which would vacate various alleys located near
Hildreth Street in the City of South Bend. Craig Hudson of
Cole Associates stated that he would give the presentation
on behalf of IUSB. He then introduced other individuals
with him namely Keith Dennis of IUSB and Rusty Owens of Cole
Associates. He noted that the Bill under consideration
would vacate three alleys for the expansion and development
of the IUSB campus. He stated that parking will be required
in light of a mall area being constructed from the new
library to Ruskin Street. Between 200 to 250 parking spaces
would be relocated in light of this mall development. The
spaces are currently located along Greenlawn.
Council Member Coleman then provided a City map so that the
petitioner could specifically locate the alleys in question.
It was noted that the Board of Public Works gave a favorable
recommendation at its meeting of last week for the proposed
alleys to be vacated. It was further noted that the campus
is growing to the west. The development would allow a
walking mall with parking kept on the perimeter of the
campus. The parking would be for staff, faculty, and
students. It was further noted that there would not be an
increase or decrease but would maintain the status quo with
regard to parking spaces. A citizen then spoke in favor of
the proposed Bill.
Council Member Don Niezgodski questioned what future plans
IUSB has in the parking area. Mr. Keith Dennis noted that
there is ten year plan which would involve the state
legislature, the university, and the City of South Bend. He
noted that two parking structures are projected, one with
1400 spaces and the other with 930 spaces. He also noted
that currently negotiations are taking place with the City
with regard to parking by Memorial Park as well as the
possible utilization of a shuttle bus system. In response
to a question raised by Council Member Don Niezgodski,
Zoning and Vacation Committee
February 26, 1990
Page 2
it was noted that with the advent of the IU-PUI facility
that 60 to 70 parking spaces for that building would also be
utilized. At the current time, it is not anticipated that
future vacations would take place. It was also noted that
IUSB currently owns 11 houses which would be moved or
demolished as a part of this project.
Council Member Luecke questioned the Council Attorney with
regard to whether in fact the proposed Bill meets the
current ordinance addressing vacations. The Council
Attorney noted that this Bill and two other possible Bills
yet to be filed would not meet the current City
requirements. Currently ' the City ordinance requires that
proposed vacations or property which exceed 3,200 square
feet would require of the petitioner a written appraisal and
a check equal to the amount of the appraisal for its fair
market value. She noted that Bill No. 8-90 is being
recommended to the Council by the City Attorney's Office and
herself to delete such provisions. It was also noted that
both the City Attorney's Office as well as the Council
Attorney were recommending that the Council could go forward
on Bill No. 7-90 in anticipation that the Council would
approve Bill No. 8-90 at a later date.
Council Member Coleman stated that he would like IUSB to
review their ten year plan with the Common Council at a
later time.
Council Member Soderberg stated that he was very much in
favor of the pedestrian mall concept and would support Bill
No. 7-90.
Following further discussion, Council Member Niezgodski made
a motion seconded by Council Member Zakrzewski that Bill No.
7-90 be recommended favorably to Council.
Council Member Coleman noted that in light of the update
given by the Council Attorney and in light of the request
made by Council Member Slavinskas, the sponsor of Bill No.
8-90 to continue the Bill that it should be continued until
the meeting of March 12, 1990.
There being no further business to come before the Committee
the meeting was adjourned at 4:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Council Member Sean Coleman, Vice Chair Person
Zoning and Vacation Committee
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