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REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 28, 2016 EAST -WEST ALLEY NORTH OF KING STREET IN PORTAGE TOWNSHIP Councilmember Jo M. Broden, Chair of the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee, reported that they met and send this bill forward with no recommendation. Bernard Feeney, 715 South Michigan Street, South Bend, IN, served as presenter and petitioner of this bill. Mr. Feeney stated that he was present on behalf of the Missionary Church North Central of Elkhart, better known in South Bend as Transformation Ministries, directed in this particular case by Kory Lantz. This particular alley is the first north -south alley lying west of Portage Avenue and extending from Bulla to the south end of the property that Transformation Ministries owns. Transformation Ministries is targeting the urban youth of this city, trying to help them build relationships through work, focus, and religion. They are asking for this alley vacation, as it would allow for the aggregation of their property, which consists of the storefront on Portage Avenue with the entire parking lot that exists to the west of the property. Mr. Feeney stated that this would allow Transformation Ministries to use the property to its fullest for the youth as well as provide the highest and best use of the property for the total operation of the ministry in South Bend. Councilmember John Voorde asked Mr. Feeney if the large parking lot he described would be open to the public. Mr. Feeney responded that, as it is currently private property owned by Transformation Ministries, it is not open to the public. Councilmember Voorde then asked, What about the businesses that have traditionally used it as parking? Mr. Feeney responded, It has always been transferred, in recent years, as part of the property that Transformation Ministries has purchased. If Transformation Ministries chooses to develop this in some recreational way for the people that they serve, those parking spaces would be gone. Transformation Ministries may keep a number of parking spaces in this area, but there is no guarantee that those parking spaces would continue to exist as the needs of Transformation Ministries expand, based on the number of youth that they serve. President Tim Scott stated that he had spoken to Kory Lantz prior to the evening's meeting. His purpose, President Scott explained, is to have the capacity of the parking viable for Mixed -Use, as the property is currently zoned Mixed -Use. Mr. Lantz said that he was willing to work with any of the owners up and down the strip for any access and parking within it. President Scott stated, I wanted clarification from him, as well, while it's in his hands. Mr. Lantz's intent is to make sure that there is access for business and to work with businesses to make sure that it is workable for everybody. Mr. Feeney responded that Mr. Lantz had exhibited that same mindset to him, as well —that if his vacation of the alley poses a problem for any of the adjoined corners, he is willing to work out an access for them, subsequent to the evening's meeting. Councilmember Broden asked to whom the alley belonged, from north to south, as there are several businesses adjacent to it. Mr. Feeney responded that in its most simplistic form, the alley would return to the parcels of land that it came from. It is currently owned by the City of South Bend. If vacated, it will go half to each pieces that it abuts. On the west side, that half will go completely to Transformation Ministries. On the east side, Transformation Ministries will get half of the alley that abuts their property. The other property owners will receive the remainder of that half of the alley, as it abuts their properties. Transformation Ministries does not get the totality of the alley if vacated. Councilmember Broden asked, And it's still passable at that demarcation? A car could or could not get through that? 0