08-14-17 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING Auizust 14, 2017 over the summer. He stated, The northeast alley abuts the Civil Rights Heritage Center to the north. When they redid that, they cut off the alley that actually went to Washington... We are hoping to talk to them about possibly having pedestrian access from our neighborhood, there. So, we're going to keep this alley as a pedestrian walkway. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill,proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Those from the public wishing to speak in favor of this bill: Maurice McGee, 3525 South Michigan Street, South Bend, IN, urged the Council to grant the alley vacation because Mr. Edmonson is helping to bring the community together and is allowing children to access the park without crossing the alley, which Mr. McGee, echoing Mr. Edmonson, stated has not been maintained by the City. He stated that another reason the alley should be vacated is that his five (5) year-old son and other children still live near the alley. Alan Larkin, 1016 West Washington Street, South Bend, IN, stated that the park has had a great impact on the neighborhood. Mr. Larkin stated that, encouraged by the transformative work that the Edmonsons have done in the neighborhood, he would help to build and maintain the neighborhood. He stated, I just think it's a great thing, and I hope you find favor with the proposal. Those wishing to speak in opposition to this bill: Neal Snyder, 1029 West Jefferson Boulevard, South Bend, IN, stated, We need that alley. If the City's not maintaining it, that's another issue. But if this becomes the personal private property of Karl, and adds on to his real estate collection on the street, and it doesn't benefit the City as a whole, then I strongly object to the alley and would like to urge the Council to leave it the way it is. Mr. Snyder stated that sixteen(16) neighbors disagreed with the vacation of the alley and signed a statement of objection. Mr. Snyder also mentioned that barring vehicles from accessing the alley would add ninety (90) miles per year to his work commute as it would deny him a shortcut. Megan Edmonson, wife of Karl Edmonson, 1102 West Jefferson Boulevard, South Bend, IN, approached the podium to give a rebuttal. Mrs. Edmonson stated that she is dismayed by the news that sixteen (16)residents of the neighborhood were in disagreement with the alley vacation. She stated that she and her husband sent notifications to twenty-eight(28)properties within a one-hundred and fifty (150) foot radius and received enthusiastic responses from those residents. She stated that she hoped to be able to see the signed names of those who objected to the petition's approval. Councilmember Oliver Davis asked for clarification regarding where Mr. Snyder lived in relation to the alley in question. Mrs. Edmonson pointed out on a map where Mr. Snyder's residence is, stating that it is actually outside of the one-hundred and fifty(150) foot radius within which notifications were sent, adding that Mr. Snyder would not actually have to go too far out of his way to get out of the neighborhood, should the alley be vacated. Councilmember Karen White made a motion to send Bill No. 45-17 to the full Council. Councilmember Oliver Davis seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes. 46-17 PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA AMENDING CHAPTER 13, ARTICLE 5, SECTION 13-75.5 OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADD DEALING IN A SYNTHETIC DRUG LOOKALIKE SUBSTANCE TO THE LIST OF PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES CONSTITUTING A DISORDERLY HOUSE 4