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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-12-01 Public Works & Property Vacation e ommitt u :port: Wain Works an41Drop rtv tination tommittitt The March 12, 2001 meeting of the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member David Varner at 4:20 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members: Aranowski, Pfeifer, King, Kelly, White, Varner, Ujdak, Coleman and Kirsits; Community and Economic Development Director Jon Hunt, Mayoral Assistant Fred Thon, City Engineer Carl Littrell, Bob Case, Citizen member Khadijah Muhammad, Dave Sasano, Greg Hudson and Jeff Hirsch of DI 7. Indiana, Inc., Public Works Director Gary Gilot,Assistant City Attorney Cheryl Greene,Attorney Bruce Bancroft,Terry Bland of the gvutii OWE IGrihunU,and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Varner began the meeting with a note of thanks to the Public Works Department for providing proposed recommendations which address vacations of real property on a faster basis. Council Member Varner then noted that the first item on the agenda was to review Bill No. 18-01 which is a request to vacate the first north/south alley east of Dale Avenue and other related alleys which are located in the South Fast Addition of the city. Greg Hudson and Jeffrey Hirsch of DLZ Indiana, Inc. Made the presentation on behalf of the Diocese of Ft. Wayne-South Bend Cathedral of Saint Matthew. They noted that their company was hired approximately a year ago to create a Campus Master Plan for the improvements of the Diocese of the Fort Wayne/South Bend St. Matthew Cathedral properties. The master plan will address among other things the renovation and development of the property along with improving the circulation of vehicles, improving parking, promote school expansion as they begin the 1st Phase of this project. Gary Gilot noted that his department has identified concerns with regard to the "T" alley. Mr. Hudson stated that he has been in contact with Environmental Services with regard to the trash pick-up needs and the other utilities and proposed that an area would be designated for an appropriate turning radius on the Diocese property. The Council Attorney stated that she would prepare the appropriate language to amend Bill No. 18- 01 with regard to the Petitioner's proposed remedy. Following discussion, Council Member King made a motion, seconded by Council Member Kirsits that Bill No. 18-01 as to be amended be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. The Committee then reviewed Substitute Bill No. 20-1 which is a request to vacate existing rights- { of-way, namely portions of Western Avenue and Columbia. Gary Gilot noted the implementation of the River Glen Expansion/Construction Project represents a positive South Bend/Crowe Chizek economic development partnership. It is proposed that the foundation,and steel work will be ordered this year as well as constructing the parking lot with the building construction taking place next year. He further noted that the substitute bill proposes a mechanism whereby the Board of Public Works would monitor the progress of the construction related to the redevelopment project and that the Board would be required to adopt a resolution with a Public Works and Property Vacation Committee 'March 12. 2001 Paget regard to the effective date of the proposed vacation. The Council Attorney noted that she appreciates the concern of the City Administration with regard to fast-tracking the project and providing a mechanism which will cause the least amount of disruption to the traveling public. She noted however, that the proposed language does not meet the required criteria for public vacations and the role of the Common Council. She further noted that since the Board of Public Works meets on the same Mondays as the Council, that the resolution mechanism could be the triggering mechanism, but that it should be a resolution prepared by the Administration which the Council would address. She further stated that she could have appropriate amendatory language which would the Council to pass the ordinance tonight and would make the effective date of the ordinance contingent upon the adoption of the Administration's filing of a resolution. Dr. Varner noted these concerns and stated that he would prefer the Council Attorney's proposed approach. Cheryl Greene, Assistant City Attorney, agreed to the proposed concept proposed by the Council Attorney. Mr. Gilot noted that there were some items noted by the Area Plan Commission, and in attempting to address each of their concerns,passed out a handout on the project(copy attached). Mr. Littrell then reviewed the two(2) maps prepared by The Troyer Group on the project. Council President Pfeifer inquired whether the project would create additional traffic onto Monroe. She further inquired whether the ongoing safety concerns of Monroe would be addressed. She noted that many senior citizens are forced to cross Monroe which is heavily traveled when the use Transpo. Mr. Littrell stated that the project would not affect Monroe and that the concerns of Monroe are unrelated to the project. Mr. Gilot stated that he appreciates the safety concerns raised with regard to Monroe and that he would contact Transpo about possibly picking up and dropping off passengers from Karl King Towers. He agreed to report back to the Council on this issue. He further noted that ADA considerations were taken into consideration throughout the planning phase of this project. He also noted that the tree-lined medians should assist pedestrians along with the proposed high- intensity lighting. Council President Pfeifer stated that she welcomes the update on Monroe and Transpo since she believes that these safety concerns should be a part of the proposed project. Mr. Bancroft, the attorney for Crowe Chizek, spoke in favor of the project noting that it incorporates many innovative public/private approaches. Dave Sasano voiced concern about the proposed parking lot and then read a statement addressing 1 other possibilities regarding parking (copy attached). He further noted that Tuesday morning additional alternatives would be made public with regard to the various Notre Dame design initiatives for the downtown area. • Dr. Varner noted that he had spoken to Jon Hunt with regard to this development and its various ■ Works and Property Vacation Committee March 12, 2001 Page 3 stages and asked him to address the parking concerns. Jon Hunt stated that there is a possible third addition that would be involved and at that point there would be no surface area left for parking. Following discussion, Council Member King made a motion, seconded by Council Member Aranowski that Substitute Bill No. 20-1 as to be amended be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. There being no further business to come before the Committee, Dr. Varner adjourned the meeting at 5:00 Respectfully submitted, Council Member David Varner, Chairperson ICI Public Works and Property Vacation Committee KCF:kmf Attachments •