03-26-12 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING MARCH 26, 2012 BILL NO. 03-12 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL TO VACATE THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PROPERTY: THE STREET TO BE VACATED IS A PORTION OF UNITED DRIVE (PRAIRIE AVENUE) FROM THE EAST RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF SCOTT STREET TO THE SOUTH RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF THE NORFOLK AND SOUTHERN RAILROAD OVERPASS. A SECOND PORTION TO BE VACATED IS SAID UNITED DRIVE BEGINNING AT THE NORTH RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF SAID NORFOLK AND SOUTHERN RAILROAD OVERPASS THENCE NORTH TO THE SOUTH RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF SOUTH STREET Councilmember Varner, Chairperson, Public Works and Property Vacation Committee, reported that this committee held a Public Hearing on this bill this afternoon and sends it to the full Council with a favorable recommendation as amended. Councilmember Henry Davis, Jr. made a motion to amend this bill. Councilmember Dieter seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand read into the record the following amendment: add to the end of Section IV: “This vacation shall be subjected to a memorandum of understanding between the property owner and the redevelopment commission addressing coordination and assembly for furtherance of the Renaissance District.” Mikel Currier, Wightman Petrie, 412 S. Lafayette Blvd., South Bend, Indiana, made the presentation on behalf of the City of South Bend. Mr. Currier advised that the petitioner is requesting the vacation of the real property to further development opportunities on the former Millennium Environmental site and allow connectivity through development to the Union Station site and the Ivy Tower Complex. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Councilmember Dieter stated that he has some concerns about the vacation. He stated that as a South Bend Police Officer he is well aware that many officers use United Drive leaving the South Bend Police Station. He stated that his concern is that when they get a call to a north location from the station they will now have to use South Street or Taylor Street. He stated that those are heavily populated residential streets. He stated that he is concerned for the residents of that area. Councilmember Dieter stated that he would like to continue this bill until those questions and concerns can be addressed by the Board of Public Works, Engineering and the Housing Authority. Additionally, Councilmember Dieter made a motion to continue this bill until the April 9, 2012 meeting of the Council and refer back to the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee until the questions and concerns are met. Councilmember Henry Davis, Jr. seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. 6