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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-07-01 Public Works & Property Vacation I Council trout .: VOW illiorks ant( Vroptrtv cation Committee The February 7, 2001, meeting of the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member David Varner, at 3:03 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included: Council Members White, Pfeifer, Aranowski, Varner, Coleman, King, Kelly and Kirsits; Rabbi Morley T. Feinstein, Dr. Fred Stump of the South Bend Community School Corporation, Richard Hebard, Park Superintendent Phil St. Clair, Public Works Director Gary Gilot, Sheila Bershwin, Steve Shore, Lisa Ann Shore, Larry Kefler, Dennis Whitacker, Eileen Bender, Harvey Bender, Chuck Lennon, Nancy Sulok and Terry Bland of the $youth Wombr Zriburic and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand,Council Attorney. Council Member Varner noted that the purpose of this Committee meeting was to continue the discussion of Bill No. 6-01 which is a request to vacate a portion of Greenlawn Avenue from Mishawaka Avenue to Wall Street for a distance of approximately 561.5 feet. Dr. Varner noted that at the January 22nd Committee meeting a vote was taken on the proposal which resulted in a favorable recommendation by a vote of 3-1. Subsequent to that action, the School Corporation requested that the measure to continued until February 26th so that additional information could be shared with the Council and the public. Following discussion, Council Member King made a motion to rescind the Committee vote of January 22nd on Bill No. 6-01 in light of new information which will be presented to the Council. The motion was seconded by Council Member Aranowski. The motion passed. Dr. Varner then called upon Dr. Fred Stump, Deputy Superintendent of the South Bend Community School Corporation, to make a presentation. Dr. Stump noted that a considerable amount of discussion between the City Administration and the School Corporation has taken place since the last Committee meeting which has resulted in significant changes in the conceptual site plan for John Adams High School. Mr. Richard Hebard of Hebard & Hebard Architects, Inc. reviewed the new conceptual site plan (copy attached). He noted that the prior site plan focused on a design goal of 500 parking spaces on site, angle parking on Wall Street, creating bus lanes for nine (9) busses and four(4) special ed busses and moving several athletic activities to School Field, which would be upgraded. Mr. Hebard noted that the new conceptual site plan focuses on approximately 350 parking spaces, a track area would be incorporated which goes onto city park grounds by approximately 75', a pedestrian walkway is proposed, trees would be planted along the walkway, a JV field with a track for such events as soccer would be incorporated, tennis would be a shared use between the school corporation and the community, the track area would be fenced but would be a shared use area for the school corporation and the community for walking, and the existing softball complex would be upgraded and would have a 300' fence plus a temporary fence for varsity girls' softball. He noted that there would be approximately one (1) month of overlapping events. As a result, track, soccer, football and varsity softball would remain on the school site. Mr. Phil St. Clair, Park Superintendent, noted that he sees the new site plan as a win/win for all parties concerned. He noted that he believes that the parties could "work through the issues" that remain with regard to shared usage. He stated that the proposal is workable in light of the school being land-locked. He noted that the area proposed for soccer will be flattened out from its Public Works and Property Vacation Committee February 7, 2001 Page 2 current state and that the proposed walking path should be a good amenity. Trees, maintenance, lighting, insurance, shared usage and security are some of the issues which need to be addressed. He concluded that the end result should be mutually beneficial to the Park Department and the South Bend School Corporation. (Emphasis added) Dr. Varner inquired about the proposed Memorandums of Understanding and specifically inquired about the proposed time line for the project. Mr. St. Clair and Dr. Stump both stated that they believed that all of the remaining issues would be properly addressed, noting that the Board of Park Commissioners should be taking action at either their February 19th meeting or their meeting in March. Dr. Varner requested that all proposed Memorandums of Understanding be sent to the Council Attorney. Mr. St. Clair agreed. (Emphasis added) Council Member Aranowski voiced concern about the busses proposed to use Wall Street noting that there have been at least nine (9) busses proposed. Dr. Stump stated that all busses would be routed north. Council Member White stated that she appreciates the movement made since the last Committee meeting. She then inquired about the exact amount of land which would be used by the School Corporation that is currently park property. Areas of 250' and 75' in length were noted by Mr. St. Clair. Council Member White asked if the citizens have had a chance to have input on the new proposal and whether a traffic impact study had been made. Dr. Stump noted that the revised plan was just completed within the last 48-hours. Council Member White asked if the Board of School Trustees had reviewed the plan. Dr. Stump noted that they had not. Mr. Gilot, Director of Public Works, stated that Greenlawn has approximately 2,200 cars per day based on actual counts. He believes that there are good points of ingress/egress proposed and that angle parking permits more control. Mr. Gilot proposed that perhaps a circular turn-around could be added to the concept to improve traffic flow and safety. (Emphasis added) Council President Pfeifer noted that the latest plan appears to be more invasive of park property than the plan proposed at the January 22nd Committee meeting.She also inquired whether there is enough parking, given the potential events for the school and their grounds since parking in this area is already a dilemma. Mr. Hebard noted that the new parking plan includes 10-12 more parking spaces than the earlier proposal, and that the fire truck lane remains. He noted that currently Adams High School has approximately 250 parking spaces. Council President Pfeifer inquired whether the public would have access to using the tennis courts and was assured that they would however the Adams tennis schedule would have to be respected. Council President Pfeifer noted that Potowatomi Park is a special park and voiced concern about restrictions to citizen who currently frequent the park for sheer enjoyment Council Member Public Works and Property Vacation Committee February 7, 2001 Page 3 Aranowski also voiced concern about individuals who now use the practice field to fly a kite and potential conflicts with football practice, etc. Mr. St. Clair that the space is currently jointly used and he did not anticipate problems. Dr. Varner suggested that any proposed Memorandum of Understanding include that all schedules for usage be posted so that the public would know such dates and times. (Emphasis added) Council Member King noted that he felt the new proposal set forth a better solution until he heard that the School Board of Trustees had not seen it. He noted that now there are too many unknowns for the Council to move forward. He suggested that the School Board of Trustees sign off first, before the Council takes final action on the proposed vacation, noting that both the Board and the Council are accountable and responsible to the public. Dr. Stump noted that the School Board of Trustees would review the new plan on February 20th. Dr. Varner voiced similar concerns as Council Member King. Council Member Kelly stated that he believes the new plan is a good one and the it should be amenable for everyone concerned. Council Member White voiced concern about citizen input with regard to the new plan. She agreed with Council Members King and Varner that the School Board of Trustees should take their action on the plan before it is formally presented to the Common Council for action. Council Member Kirsits inquired about the perimeter fence, suggested that it be looped as much as possible. He also inquired about the traffic light at Greenlawn, suggesting that it be readjusted with the sidewalk. Mr. Gilot stated adjustments would be made with regard to re-routing the sidewalk, and that there would be a pedestrian control button at that intersection. (Emphasis added) Dr. Varner then asked for comments from the public. Steve Shore noted that he was a professor at IUSB. He voiced concern that there were no"rate or distribution" traffic counts taken into consideration by the City, noting that there are high traffic flows and that in light of the new plan there would be new potential dangerous traffic areas. He suggested better lighting in light of the potential increased traffic and pedestrian especially around the zoo. He also voiced concern in light of the sun and its effect on east/west roads. He concluded that the character of the neighborhood and the park are being effected by the proposed plan. Mr. Gilot stated that lighting is critical and would be addressed by the City. (Emphasis added) Lisa Ann Shore voiced concern about the effects of the plan on the neighbors to the north of Adams High School. She suggested that the neighbors and IUSB have access to the areas on a twenty-four hour basis and that there be good lighting and security measures in place. Eileen Bender noted that she is glad that Adams High School will be renovated, noting that she works at IUSB. As a grandmother, she is very concerned about the safety of little Public Works and Property Vacation Committee February 7, 2001 Page 4 children in the area, especially by the open park area to the north and by the zoo. Currently Wall Street divides the recreational facilities, but with the new plan hazards will present especially to small children. She inquired whether new traffic counts have been formulated for Wall Street, since the counts will increase. She too expressed concern about lighting, and again stressed the need for proper safety measures in light of King's Kingdom, the pool, and the zoo activities. (Emphasis added) Larry Kefler noted that he is a parent of two(2)Adams children. He sees the proposed closing of Greenlawn as a positive so long as all of the safety, security and mutual access agreements can be worked out amicably. He noted that many IUSB students and faculty members currently use Greenlawn,however most of those individuals use the street for"targeted driving". Dennis Whitacker noted that he is the President of the Riverpark Neighborhood Association. The Association unanimously voted to oppose the closing of Greenlawn. He voiced concern about the intersection of Wall and Ironwood which must be addressed since it is incapable of addressing the traffic need currently. Visibility at the intersection is also a problem, especially when a motorist attempts to turn left to go north on Ironwood. He voiced concern over the potential of 1.4 miles of looping traffic which will result by the closing of Greenlawn, especially during peak traffic times. He noted that people do use Greenlawn and the Association is skeptical of this plan working. Free access to park property is also an ongoing issue. (Emphasis added) Harvey Bender inquired whether the City had worked closely with IUSB with regard to their growth of their campus and the resulting vehicular and pedestrian traffic, citing the new Student Activity Center which is just one of several new buildings. The distressed commercial area on the south side of Mishawaka Avenue should be addressed. He stressed the need for the entire community to have input so that the community could get excited about this project. (Emphasis added) Dr. Varner noted that the facsimile received from the South Bend Community Schools (copy attached) noted that there was at least one (1) meeting with officials of IUSB held on November 28th. Rabbi Morley T. Feinstein voiced concern about the proposed water park for the pool area and what its effects would be if Greenlawn is closed. He noted that the alley east of the conservatory will be used as a cut through, citing the pot holes, refuse and related problems which currently exist which will be exacerbated. He questioned if the City had studied the effects of this proposal on the zoo and open park areas, the limited parking which is available currently. He concluded that the entire project needs as much input at possible so that"great foresight"is included. (Emphasis added) Chuck Lennon noted that the project would create 124 more parking spaces than currently exist. He stated that the support of IUSB is important since the project should be user friendly to all parties concerned He suggested that repairs and upgrades to the pavilion should also be a part of this project and should be taken on as a community project. He noted that he believes that three (3) turnarounds currently exist with a fourth one proposed, however security concerns and a bike path should be studies carefully. (Emphasis added) Randy Isaccson noted that he is a professor at IUSB and coaches at Adams High School. He stated that drop-offs would be limited to specific areas and that parking would only be a problem • Public Works and Property Vacation Committee February 7, 2001 Page 5 when there are special events such as Zoofest. He stated that he believes the plan opens up more green space. David Shadinger noted that the Adams High School renovation process has been going on for approximately 1 1/2 years with lots of meetings and community input throughout this period of time. He stated that there are many benefits to the community which will result. Council Member Coleman inquired about the time tables by the Park Department and its Board, the various upgrades which are being considered for the pool, and the overall history of shared use facilities. Mr. St. Clair stated that the Board of Park Commissioners would need the exact measurements on all joint use areas, etc and would probably address these items at its March meeting. He also stated that the pool would have its filtration system upgraded and that a 160' water slide into the pool is being proposed. Mr. St. Clair noted that the Park Department, the City and the school system has approximately fifty (50) years of good shared use experiences, citing the parks and recreation for golf courses, baseball fields, tennis courts, and high school swimming pools. Council President Pfeifer requested a written listing of all proposed shared usage areas and the entity which would be responsible for such items as maintenance, Iiability, etc. Mr. St. Clair that this would be addressed and noted that the walkway which is proposed as a buffer is just one example of what the school corporation will own and maintain. (Emphasis added) The Council Attorney inquired as to the number of disabled parking places which are proposed for the site. Mr. Hebard stated that there are fourteen (14) proposed. Dr. Varner inquired whether this number meets Code requirements. Dr. Varner stated that currently Bill No. 6-01 is scheduled for public hearing at the February 26th Council meeting. He noted that in light of the new proposal, the fact that neither the School Board nor the general public have had the opportunity to see the proposal, and the many new issues raised today, that this measure should not be acted upon until after the Park Board and School Board have taken action on the proposal. (Emphasis added) Council President Pfeifer stressed that it is extremely important that everyone know that the Council will not act on this proposal until all other agencies have completed their tasks. She noted that although the School Corporation has been working on this for over a year, that the public in general is unaware of how this proposal will impact one of the best parks in the City. She also inquired whether there is a proposed plan of Adams High School that does not vacate Greenlawn. She asked the School Corporation to look at the project without Greenlawn being vacated as a possible option. (Emphasis added) Dr. Stump stated that he is unaware of any plans that do not incorporate the vacating of Greenlawn. He noted that there have been ongoing public meetings with the surrounding neighbors and entities of Adams High School, and that the School Corporation has been working on the state approvals for the renovation project. Council Member King noted that the input has not been on a city-wide basis as of this point, however that he and Council Member Kelly have been apprised. Public Works and Property Vacation Committee February 7, 2001 Page 6 Rabbi Morley T. Feinstein suggested that the new proposed plan be given to the IUSB Chancellor and that an official representative of IUSB be in attendance at the next Committee meeting so that the City could be updated on any other projects which the University may have and their impact on the Adams proposal. (Emphasis added) Dr. Varner requested a written time table of all action which will be taken prior to the Common Council. He suggested that it be given to him by Monday,if at all possible. (Emphasis added) There being no further business to come before the Council, Council President Pfeifer adjourned the Informal Council Meeting at 4:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Council Member David Varner, Chair Person Public Works and Property Vacation Committee KCF:kmf cc: South Bend Common Council Mayor Stephen J. Luecke Dr. Fred Stump, South Bend Community School Corporation Mr. Gary Gilot, Public Works Director Mr. Phil St. Clair, Park Superintendent City Clerk's Office ** The Committee minutes include areas which have been bolded so that all parties which need to address such concerns will have such updates for the next Public Works and Property Vacation Committee meeting when Bill No. 6-01 is heard again.