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REGULAR MEETING JUNE 26, 2017
<br /> This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and
<br /> opponents were given an opportunity to be heard.
<br /> There were none from the public who wished to speak in favor or opposition to this bill.
<br /> Councilmember Tim Scott made a motion to send Substitute Bill No. 27-17 to the full Council
<br /> with a favorable recommendation. Councilmember John Voorde seconded the motion which
<br /> carried by a voice vote of seven (7) ayes.
<br /> 35-17 PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE TO
<br /> VACATE THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED
<br /> PROPERTY: EAST/WEST ALLEY FROM PARK
<br /> AVENUE TO FIRST NORTH/SOUTH ALLEY
<br /> BETWEEN MANITOU AND RIVERSIDE
<br /> Councilmember John Voorde, Chair of the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee,
<br /> reported that they met this afternoon. Though, having no quorum, they send this bill forward
<br /> without a recommendation.
<br /> Karen Gindele, 831 Park Avenue, South Bend, IN, served as the petitioner of this bill. Ms.
<br /> Gindele stated, I am here with my next-door neighbor, Dave Faulkner,to request that the City
<br /> vacate the east-west alley between Manitou and Riverside. Ms. Gindele explained that the alley
<br /> is too narrow and that, in the winter time, cars get stuck in the alley. She also stated that few
<br /> people use the alley, and only one (1) individual uses it regularly. She cited the safety of her own
<br /> home as a primary concern, given the fact that there is very little buffer between the alley and her
<br /> house. She stated that there are minor aesthetic inconveniences as well, such as the fact that a lot
<br /> of dust is kicked up by cars passing through. Ms. Gindele stated, Our plans are, if this is
<br /> approved,to landscape.
<br /> Councilmember Regina Williams-Preston stated that she empathizes with Ms. Gindele's
<br /> concerns, as she herself lives in a home beside a narrow alley, but further stated, I think my
<br /> concern is if everybody who had that problem vacated all those alleys, what does that mean? Is it
<br /> something that we want to completely take away from the public access?
<br /> Councilmember Jo M. Broden asked, So, the exit to the north is on Riverside Drive, correct?
<br /> Ms. Gindele responded, Yes.
<br /> Councilmember Broden requested, And, alternatively, on Manitou—help me out with anything
<br /> exiting to the west on that entire stretch.
<br /> Ms. Gindele asked, To the west on the north/south alley or on...?
<br /> Councilmember Broden responded, On the north/south alley. Is there any other exit to the west
<br /> to Forest Avenue? I am sorry if my research didn't go further out to the whole length of the alley.
<br /> Ms. Gindele responded, There is an alley that goes east/west—that is clear to the west—that is
<br /> nearer to Riverside.
<br /> Councilmember Broden asked, So, mid-block, roughly, up from where your alley is?
<br /> Ms. Gindele responded, About three (3) houses up.
<br /> Councilmember Broden stated, I do have a bit of a concern, overall, with the amount of traffic
<br /> exiting on Riverside Drive with that curve, and coming up from that area. At the Board of Public
<br /> Works, was there any consideration about the amount of traffic? I know we have identified one
<br /> (1) individual who has use on a daily basis, but what is your overall sense of traffic in general,
<br /> other than that frequent user?
<br /> Ms. Gindele responded, Very occasional, and one (1) is a neighbor to whom I spoke and he has
<br /> used it, but he started going a different way, and he was amenable to that being closed.
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