04-23-01 Public Works & Property Vacation

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Qamtmitt mart: Vatic UWOrk$ antr Jroitrtp Vacation tontittitt The April 23, 2001 meeting of the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member David Varner at 3:33 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members: Aranowski, Pfeifer, King, Kelly, White, Varner, Ujdak, Coleman and Kirsits; Lou Nani of the University of Notre Dame, Community and Economic Development Director Jon Hunt,Marguerite Taylor, Charles Howell, Kimberly Mentor, James Harris, Dale Grayson, Timothy Rouse, Public Works Director Gary Gilot, Bernie Feeney of Lang, Feeney and Associates; Kim Metzger, Rebecca. Goodorf, Jennifer Mielke, John Hosinski, Mike Dobson,Terry Bland of the i+011Uj Altrat gribunt, and Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Varner then noted that the first item listed on the agenda was to continue Bill No. 9-01 which is a proposed ordinance to vacate various alleys in the Harman and Miller's Plat requested by the Eddy Street Land Trust which was continued from the March 26th and April 9th Committee meeting by the Petitioner. Mr. Bernie Feeney made the presentation. He noted that one-half(1/2) of the alley by Mr. Harris was offered to him to address the concerns raised by him at prior Committee meetings. He added that a new trash enclosure has been proposed to be built at the petitioner's cost so that Mr. Harris would have accessibility for trash purposes by Georgiana Street. There was no one in the public to speak in favor of the Bill. Mr. James Harris spoke in opposition. He noted that he has been a lifetime resident of the area and that the family business has operated in the five-points area for more than forty (40) years. Mr. Harris stated that all of the alleys in question are used as thoroughfares by residents and businesses. He voiced concern about trash pick-up and emergency vehicles servicing the area if the alleys were vacated. Mr. Harris also noted that during Notre Dame Football weekends, the alleys are used for off-street parking since the roads are changed to facilitate Notre Dame football traffic to and from the University. Mr. Harris voiced concern over the fact that no written plans have been made public by the developer, and inquired what would happen if the developer leaves after the alleys would be vacated. He did not think it was right for trash to have to be moved to the front for pick up on Georgiana and Eddy Streets. He noted that Mr. Friedline has not talked specifics and that his trash included a significant amount of box storage which the city picks up on a weekly basis. He concluded his remarks by asking the Committee to deny the request. Marguerite Taylor then spoke against the Bill. Mrs. Taylor stated that she lives and works in the area in question, and that she is a member of the Northeast Neighborhood Council as well as the NNRO. She noted that the residents, these organizations and the City have been working hard to bring the area up to code and to bring quality single-family housing and apartments to the area. She voiced concern that Mr. Friedline wants to close alleys but yet he has submitted no plans for the development he proposes. She asked the Committee to deny the request. Dale Grayson, a member of the NNRO then spoke against the Bill. He stated that in light of the configuration of streets, that closing the alleys would only mean compounded the traffic problems. He stated that if the vacation is approved that the City would have a worse intersection than that at Mishawaka Avenue and Ironwood where another drug store is locat4 IUD-.Grayson added that