03-26-01 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING MARCH 26, 2001 closing not only is there going to be increased traffic on Wall Street but the speed of the traffic on Wall Street is going to be worse. Ms. Tucker noted that not enough study has been done on the impact of the neighborhood with the traffic flow and speed and safety of the children and the residents. Someone needs to think about reducing the volume of traffic on Wall Street and put that extra parking on Mishawaka Avenue. Ms. Phyllis Fields, 1715 Wall Street, South Bend, Indiana, informed the Council that she lives on Wall Street and the-traffic is bad especially when the students are getting out of school. She stated that with them taking the green space they could have at least kept the football field across from the residential area instead of a concrete parking lot and tennis court. She noted that the football field is being put on Mishawaka Avenue. There was no one else from the public wishing to speak on this matter. Mr. Fred Stump declined the opportunity for rebuttal stating that he believes they have stated their side well. During the Council portion, Councilmember Kelly thanked everyone present this evening presenting their views pro and con. As with any controversial matter, a good exchange of ideas is important. He noted that the planning of this project has been going on for many months and in fact there have been quite a few versions of the plan and any number of community meetings in which people have been asked to provide input. As with any compromise, some changes have to be made. As pointed out earlier, the school corporation in its initial request wanted much more park land which the City did not agree to but instead did compromise and offer a small portion of Potawatomi Park for this project. Everyone agrees that Adams High School should be expanded and become a good high school for the twenty -first century and some changes have to be made in the neighborhood to accomplish that. Adams High School has been a great school for sixty -one (61) years and the community wants it to continue that way as it is a benefit to the community and the neighborhood. Councilmember Kelly stated that he favors this plan and thinks it's a good compromise. It is not pleasing to everyone but works well. Councilmember Kelly made a motion that this bill go to the full Council with a favorable recommendation as amended. Councilmember Coleman seconded the motion. Councilmember Pfeifer stated that she supports Adams High School which needs to be upgraded. She noted that it has been said that the Council needs to focus on the vacation of Greenlawn but believes that there is more to look at as the Council should not make decisions in isolation. They need to look at the overall plan as fifty million dollars should not be spent anywhere without a complete plan. More time is needed. Councilmember Pfeifer stated that there are very few areas in our community like Potawatomi Park, which is abeautiful, gorgeous park, and she feels strongly about taking any part of this park. She noted that at one time there was a plan that placed the track on site without the vacation of Greenlawn. She stated that she is not able to vote at this time for this plan as it is expensive and not enough study has been done. Councilmember Coleman stated that his concerns are the future use of the City's park land. He stated that he would not be supportive of this action if he felt that the City were giving up control of the adjoining park land in order to make this plan work. The sharing of the facilities will benefit both the City and the school corporation. Councilmember Coleman stated that he believes it is important to keep the students on site for as many athletic activities as possible and that that is a sound reason for giving consideration to the vacation of the street. He did note that the location of the basketball courts need to be reconsidered for the sake of the neighbors to the north. They should be placed so that they do not become an incompatible use with the neighbors that are in the immediate area. The Council's involvement in this process does end where the school board's jurisdiction begins. The City and the school corporation have attempted to work cooperatively on this effort and the public should know that it has not been without a fair amount of lively exchange to consider the future of Adams and the school corporation's request of the City. He noted that he believes that this plan does serve the corporation in fulfilling its mission with regard to Adams High school and he supports the plan. 111: 11'