09-27-10 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 27, 2010 Community by the League of American Bicyclists. Mr. Abernathy placed on file with the Office of the City Clerk the press release along with a map of the bike paths. He noted that the route of the bike trail goes along Linden and Chippewa Avenues along Rum Village Park which is right along where this project is going in. Mr. Abernathy commented on the article that was in the South Bend Tribune last Saturday on the emissions and pollution that will be generated by the shredder. It stated that no matter what kinds of pollution control put in there will still be emissions and pollution coming from the shredder. He stated that if this project goes through the City might want to rename Ignition Park to Emission Park. He urged the Council not to support this bill. Ms. Deanna Waggy, 59310 W. Linden Road, Indiana, stated that she is the first house directly south of this proposed project. She stated that she was very concerned at this afternoon’s committee meeting on hearing that the truck route had been changed to Linden Road. Anyone who drives a stick shift knows that this intersection of Linden and Ireland Road knows that it is very difficult to drive even for those that have experience driving. The roads are hilly and very narrow making driving very difficult during the icy winter months. This is a very dangerous intersection especially with the daycare center right on the corner. She stated that she would not appreciate the additional truck traffic going passed her house; it makes the house rattle and shake. She stated that there are many reasons why she doesn’t want this project to be approved mainly because of all the unanswered questions and concerns of the residents in the neighborhood. Ms. Waggy stated that she would like to work with the Schlipp’s to resolve those unanswered questions. She stated that she has concerns with the decisions that the City is making and impacting on County residents. She stated that there is a lot of green space out there and one of the reasons that people want to live out there is because of that. This is a quality of life issue and urged the Council to put safety measures in to keep and preserve the wildlife and nature. She also was concerned on the impact this project will have for the Rum Village Park and Nature Center just down the street from this project, she stated that she would like to see this area added to the Rum Village Park to expand and make it an even bigger green space for the City of South Bend. She urged the Council to vote against this bill. Mr. Joe Schultz, 20550 W. Chippewa, South Bend, Indiana, stated that he and his wife Faith have lived their since 1972. He stated that one concern that they have is the traffic. They have seen the truck traffic slowly increase. He stated that he doesn’t know if many of the Council have driven up Chippewa lately, it’s not a great street. It really has deteriorated and it’s and embarrassment to the City of South Bend if you drive by the movie theatre or bowling alley. It’s a very narrow street when you get down to the end of it by Keria Trail. This does not hold up to truck traffic like they said it does. Mr. Schultz stated that they say there are maybe 10 trucks going in and out of there a day right now. They’re probably right. He says they stop work at 5 in the evening, but when he and his wife take off for their evening walk about 7:00 p.m. there were trucks driving up and down the street. He mentioned one in particular rolling up and down the street full of metal and rumbling and shaking the house. He stated that now with the addition of a car shredder and 30 to 40 more trucks double that by coming and going, the street is not going to be able to handle it. He stated that over the years he has seen a lot more traffic both cars and trucks with the various developments that have gone in. He stated that this area is a very nice area. However he questioned whether or not the infrastructure could handle this kind of project. Mr. Schultz stated that the infrastructure should be developed before the project goes in. He stated that trying to turn west or east off of Linden Avenue or Keria Trail onto Ireland Road is a very difficult task already with the new Wal-Mart and Lowe’s on Ireland Road and now with this project creating 40 trucks in and 40 trucks out for a total of eighty (80) trucks a day will make it even more difficult. He stated that a traffic light would have to be installed and the road widened at Linden and Ireland Road. He stated that he already sees trucks having a difficult time getting up the hill at the Wal-Mart on Ireland Road during the icy winter months. He stated that he and his wife went walking one evening and counted several trucks going up and down Chippewa at 8:00 p.m. He questioned who is going to control the truck traffic? Mr. Schultz stated that this project would be very detrimental to the neighborhood and asked the Council to vote against this bill. 27