HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-08-09 Public Works and Property Vacation CommitteePublic Works and Property Vacation Committee
2009 South Bend Common Council
The June 8, 2009 meeting of the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee of the South Bend
Common Council was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member David Varner at 3:00 p.m. in
the Council's Informal Meeting Room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members Rouse, Henry Davis, Jr., Varner, White, Dieter,
LaFountain, and Puzzello, City Engineer Carl Littrell, Judy Jankowski, Martha Lewis, Rita Kopola, and
Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney.
Dr. Varner noted that the Committee members include Council Members Henry Davis, Jr., Tom
LaFountain, Timothy Rouse and himself; and that a quorum of the Committee was present.
Bill No. 35-09 Request to Vacate a portion of the 1St North/South Alley West of Main Street
Dr. Varner called for a presentation on Bill No. 35-09 which is a request to vacate the first north/south
alley west of Main Street from Wayne Street south to the first east/west alley for a distance of 198 feet, all
of which is in the town, now the City of South Bend, Indiana.
Judy Jankowski represented AT & T with offices at 307 Main Street in downtown South Bend. Ms.
Jankowski noted that the vacation would provide AT & T will better access, security and a safer traffic
flow of the redesigned parking lot adjacent to their building located at 307 Main Street.
In response to a question from Dr. Varner, Ms. Jankowski stated that AT & T does plan to have fencing
and plantings to decorate and enhance the area.
In response to a question from Council Member Rouse, Ms. Jankowski noted that AT & T have agreed
upon a separate agreement with Mr. Coyne of Cleveland, Ohio, whose letter of May 21St (copy attached).
was one of the reasons for continuing the Bill until this evening.
There was no one from the public to speak in favor or in opposition to the Bill.
Council Member Rouse made a motion, seconded by Council Member LaFountain that Bill No. 35-09 be
recommended favorable to Council. The motion passed.
Bill No. 37-09 Request to Vacate a portion of the First North/South Alley West of Allen
Street
Dr. Varner called for a presentation on Bill No. 37-09 which is a request to vacate the first north/south
alley west of Allen Street from Lincoln Way West to Lindsey Street for a distance of 146.2 feet and a
width of fourteen (14) feet.
Wadad Elummori of 51343 Lilac Road, South Bend, Indiana 46628 made the presentation along with his
father, Mark Elummori of the same address. He noted that they are seeking the vacation for safety
reasons and so that they can consolidate the two (2) properties on either side of the alley.
Public Works and Property Vacation Committee
June 8, 2009
Page 2
The Council Attorney noted that in light of the Board of Public Works recommendation being made in
2006, she requested an updated review. She noted that the entire Council should have received a 1-page
Inter-Office Memorandum dated June 5, 2009 (copy attached) directed to Dr. Varner from City Engineer
Carl P. Littrell which concludes that they have no objection to the vacation however wanted notice as to
future development of the area in question.
City Engineer Carl P. Littrell pointed out his concerns with regard to new development on the map of the
area (copy attached). He pointed out the three (3) lots and the current curb cuts and points of access,
noting that the Petitioners currently own all three (3) lots. Mr. Littrell stated that he is in favor of the
request to vacate now and suggested that if there is a future rezoning or development plan for the lots in
question that the approval of the Engineering Department would be required. The petitioners agreed to
this request.
In response to a question from Council Member Henry Davis, Jr. Mr. Elummori stated that eventually
they would like to build a strip retail center at this location.
There was no one from the public to speak in favor or in opposition to the Bill.
Council Member Rouse made a motion, seconded by Council Member LaFountain that Bill No. 37-09 be
recommended favorable to Council. The motion passed.
Dr. Varner noted that Bill No. 27-09 will be continued indefinitely.
There being no further business to come before the Committee, Dr. Varner adjourned the Committee
meeting at 3:14 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
~ _ ` ~~/'
-~r~-D id Varner, Chairperson
Public Works and Property Vacation Committee
Attachments