03-27-06 Council Meeting Minutes

Home Browse Search

REGULAR MEETING MARCH 27, 2006 Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand it was determined that there is no conflict of interest. Mr. Michael Danch, Danch, Harner & Associates, Inc., 1643 Commerce Drive, South Bend, Indiana, made the presentation for this bill, on behalf of the petitioners the City of South Bend and South Bend Heritage Foundation. Mr. Danch advised that the purpose of the vacation of the real property is to allow for the construction of a New Public Fire Station #2 facility to serve a portion of the Northwest Neighborhood. The property is currently being replatted. The north-south alley just west of Kuntsman Ct. will not be a dead end alley. They will be creating and east-west alley that will allow residents to get back onto Kuntsman Ct. They will be additional parking that will be provided as part of the development of the Fire Station Property. Councilmember Dieter reiterated that this will allow for another new fire station. Mr. Danch confirmed that it is a new Fire Station #2. Councilmember Rouse stated that there was some discussion this afternoon on the 13.2 ft recommendation of moving that to 14 ft. Will this issue have to go back to Area Plan or the Zoning Board to get that approval. Mr. Danch stated that he will have to go over that with City Engineer Carl Littrell, as part of the subdivision replat that they have approved with the Area Plan Commission. They can go ahead and dedicate that approximate one (1) additional foot and believe that they will still be within the guidelines of the setback requirements This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. There was no one present wishing to speak to the Council in favor of this bill. The following individuals spoke in opposition to this bill. Mr. Wade Gadman, 828 Ridgedale Road, South Bend, Indiana, questioned how this vacation will affect his property at 720 W. Oak Street? Mr. Gadman stated that he is not opposed; he just needs more information regarding the vacation. Ms. Angela Logan, 25821 Sly Fox Ct., South Bend, Indiana, question how this vacation will affect her property at 119 Kuntsman Court? Ms. Logan stated that she is not clear on what this vacation means. Mike Danch responded to the owners of 720 W. Oak Street, is on the West side of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive which is outside of the area where the Fire Station is going to be built. So from that standpoint, just so the residents understand by law the petitioner is required to notify anyone within 150 feet of what is actually being vacation. He falls within the 150 foot area but being west of the Drive, there should be no effect. The same thing would apply to the owner of 119 Kuntsman Court. The alley is north of 119 Kuntsman Court, will still be able to be used by those residents. th Carl Littrell, City Engineer, 13 Floor County-City Building, 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana, stated that he spoke with the owner of 720 W. Oak Street and it is indeed on the other side of Chapin Street. He further noted that regarding Kuntsman Court, the City is going to improve part of Kuntsman Court, that part closest to Lincolnway West will be widened and a parking strip added on Kuntsman Court and the connect alley from Kuntsman Court to the remaining alley segment will be wide enough for traffic as well as five angled parking spots. The City will be providing additional parking opportunities for anyone to parking. The widening will provide better visibility and better approach to Kuntsman Court for the residents who live along there. Kuntsman is not being vacated it will still run southward to an alley and have access at the other end. 7