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REGULAR MEETING MAY 8, 2017 <br /> Those wishing to speak in favor of this bill: <br /> Shelly Baumgartner, 315 South Taylor Street, South Bend, IN, stated that she is in complete <br /> agreement with her husband, Mr. Kevin Baumgartner. Ms. Baumgartner stated that the alley is <br /> unkempt and unsightly, and that it would be an improvement to the neighborhood to have to <br /> converted into a driveway. <br /> Those wishing to speak in opposition to the bill: <br /> Tim Corcoran, Director of Planning, Department of Community Investment, with offices on the <br /> 14th Floor of the County-City Building, South Bend, IN, stated that the City of South Bend is the <br /> primary owner of the alley and that it is currently in the interest of the City to maintain access for <br /> potential future development. <br /> Kevin Baumgartner returned to the podium for a rebuttal. Mr. Baumgartner stated, I guess I don't <br /> see how an alley next to the property for future access could help the City or why they would <br /> want a throughway right next to the house. Again, they are not taking care of it, and they haven't <br /> taken care of it for twenty (20) something years. <br /> Councilmember Tim Scott asked Mr. Corcoran, So, the City is not connected to this alley in any <br /> way? <br /> Mr. Corcoran responded, There's a north-south alley that terminates at an east-west alley. <br /> Councilmember Scott asked, You say "for future development"—what timeframe is that future <br /> development? <br /> Mr. Corcoran responded, It's unknown. <br /> Councilmember Oliver Davis asked Mr. Corcoran if there was any reason why the City has not <br /> taken care of the alley. <br /> Mr. Corcoran responded, I am unsure about what the City's commitment is to maintaining alleys. <br /> That is a Public Works question, I believe. It's probably maintained as much as any other alley. <br /> Councilmember Davis asked what the condition of the alley has been for the past year. <br /> Mr. Baumgartner stated that an image of the alley was included in the packet in the Council's <br /> possession. <br /> Mr. Corcoran responded, I don't know. I have not been to that alley recently. <br /> Councilmember Davis asked, So, the City has not paid too much attention to that alley? <br /> Mr. Corcoran responded, Correct. <br /> Councilmember Jo M. Broden asked Mr. Baumgartner at what date the photos were taken. <br /> Mr. Baumgartner responded,Approximately seven(7) days ago. <br /> Councilmember Broden stated, In these photos, I'm looking at an alleyway that's inundated with <br /> water on both ends, but I'm also wondering about its actual boundaries to your house. She asked, <br /> Has it extended into your property line? <br /> Mr. Baumgartner responded, I would say the alley has probably moved through the years from <br /> the original. The City did put in the concrete apron. <br /> Councilmember Broden asked, And does this align with that apron? <br /> Mr. Baumgartner responded, It would. If we were toI don't know the exact procedure, but I <br /> would just align with the apron myself. But I don't know if we need to find out the exact—being <br /> as the people next to us...I'm not going up to their fence or anything, but we would use the apron <br /> that's there and just go straight back, then. <br /> Councilmember Broden stated, In terms of our City development plans for that block, if I look to <br /> the south toward Western,there is no alley access. She asked, Am I looking at this correctly? <br /> 4 <br />