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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-11-94 Public Works & Property Vacation CCommittet Ittport PUBLIC WORKS AND PROPERTY VACATION COMMITTEE tIjt QCommott Qtouttuil of tips QLitp of 'ouUj OttO: The April 11, 1994 meeting of the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Councilmember Steve Luecke at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Councilmembers Slavinskas, Kelly, Leucke, Ladewski, Washington, Duda, Coleman, Zakrzewski, Puzzello; Ann Kolata, Jenny Pitts Manier, Bipin Doshi, Don Porter, Mr. Ziker, Eric Marshal, Stan Blenke,Phil Panzica,William Lamie,Kathy Poste,John Leszczynski and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. The first item on the agenda was to review Bill No. 23-94 which is a vacation request for Tutt Street from Main to the first north/south alley. Ann Kolata noted that this is a substitute Bill with the City being the petitioner. She stated that the purpose of the vacation is to allow the sale of land to Schafer Gear to allow a building and parking lot expansion. Mr. Bipin Doshi,the President of Schafer Gear, then gave further information. He stated that they are projecting an eighteen thousand (18,000) square foot expansion at the cost of seven hundred fifty thousand($750,000.00) dollars. Between 15 and 20 new employes would be hired at nine to twelve dollars per hour. Additionally, over one million dollars in equipment will be added to the facility this year. Ann Kolata noted that agreements have been reached between the Center for the Homeless and Decoker with regard to access to their facilities. She noted however, that other businesses may have problems and that the petitioner will need to work closely with the Engineering Department regarding Tutt Street. She added however,that Tutt Street is not a truck route. Councilmember Luecke than asked for persons to speak in favor of the proposed Bill. There were none. Mr. Ziker spoke in opposition. He stated that in light of the recent expansions of Zikers, Mossburg, and A to Z Plastics, that there are numerous truck deliveries in the area. He stated that there is a high traffic accident rate currently at Fellow and Sample and stated that the traffic division of the South Bend Police Department should be contacted to verify this. He stated that currently the traffic situation is unsafe in light of the additional retail manufacturing which would negatively affected by the proposed vacation. Mr. Eric Marshal of Sibley's also spoke in opposition. He stated that Fellows is not used because of its proximity to the railroad tracks and that there is not a"No Turn Signal". He suggested the widening of Tutt and signalization. Kathy Poste the of A to Z Plastics also spoke in opposition. She stated that the merchants on the north side of Tutt would be affected with regard to deliveries. She stated that there are traffic concerns currently and that further study of the congestion needs to be done by the City before the vacation is acted upon. . r Public Works and Property Vacation Committee April 11, 1994 Page 2 Mr. Stan Blenke, executive Vice-President of Schafer Gear stated that trucks currently have to turn off of Main onto Tutt, and it is very dangerous. He also noted that there is a considerable amount of pedestrian traffic from the parking lot to the plant. Mr. Phil Panzica, the architect for the proposed building, stated that it would enroach to the right-of-way, and that the project could not go forward if Tutt were to remain as an active right-of-way. Councilmember Slavinskas questioned ingress and egress, and the proposed widening concept as a way of possibly balancing the concerns of the developer versus the concerns of traffic safety. Mr. Leszczynski stated that the Board of Public Works sent a favorable recommendation on the substitute Bill and noted that there are probably 10 to 20 trucks in the area per day. Councilmember Washington questioned the one-way postings and signalization of Tutt. Councilmember Zakrzewski also voiced concern with regard to the proposed vacation. Councilmember Luecke stated that he would support the vacation, however, is concerned about safety concerns being raised to the other business. Councilmember Luecke also noted that he believes further study of Sample/Fellows area should be made and the possibility of using '1114" dollars for upgrading the turning radius. Plus Councilmember Slavinskas also suggested perhaps acquiring property by the Church would also be necessary. Councilmember Duda suggested that a compromise should be pursued. Councilmember Zakrzewski stated that he believes to go forward today on the proposed vacation would put the seven (7) negatively affected businesses in a "hostage situation". Councilmember Duda made a motion to continue for two (2) weeks substitute Bill No. 23-94. The motion failed for the lack of the second. Council President Puzzello questioned when engineering would address the traffic concerns and was advised by Mr. Leszczynski that they would begin on the project tomorrow. Councilmember Coleman stated that the Committee should be aware of the time frames involved and that if condemnation was necessary a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks would be involved. Councilmember Washington stated that a reasonable compromise would be necessary. He made a motion to continue the Bill to perhaps a special meeting to be held prior to the May 9th meeting. The Council Attorney noted that a request for continuance should come from the petitioner in light of state law requiring Council action within the 30 day period. Ann Kolata,on behalf of the petitioner,requested a continuance to the last week of April if at all possible. No action by the Committee was necessary in light of Ann Kolata's request. I Public Works and Property Vacation Committee April 11, 1994 Page 3 The Committee then reviewed Bill No. 29-94 which is an ordinance to vacate an alley off of Colfax Avenue. Mr. Bill Lamie made the presentation on behalf of United Health Services. He noted that there is a revised architectural design to allow Dental Associates Inc., to purchase the property. Councilmember Coleman noted that the alley in question is very under improved and under utilized. Following further discussion, Councilmember Duda made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Ladewski, that Bill No. 29-94 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Councilmember Steve Luecke, Chairperson Public Works and Property Vacation Committee Attachment(s)