09-27-99 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 27, 1999 President Coleman seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. BILL NO. 56 -99 A BILL AMENDING CHAPTER 21, ARTICLE 2 OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING THE PARKING OF OVERSIZED VEHICLES IN "A" RESIDENTIAL USE DISTRICTS IN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA Councilmember Hosinski reported that the Zoning & Annexation Committee met on this bill and sends it to the Council with a unanimous favorable recommendation. Mr. John Byorni, Assistant Director, Area Plan Commission, Room 1140 County -City Building, South Bend, Indiana, presented the report from the Commission. Mr. Byorni advised that this is a Common Council initiated bill to amend the Municipal Code regarding the parking of oversized vehicles in "A" Residential Districts. Mr. Byorni noted that based on information available prior to the public hearing, the Area Plan staff recommends that this petition be sent to the Council with a favorable recommendation. This petition allows school buses to park on snow routes in residentially zoned areas during regular working hours. Additionally, at its Public Hearing held on August 17, 1999, the Area Plan Commission sends this bill to the Council with a favorable recommendation. Councilmember Karl King, Chairperson of the Residential Neighborhoods Committee, made the presentation for this bill. Councilmember King stated that this bill is the outcome of the issue of the parking of school buses in residential neighborhoods. He noted that residential zoning prohibits the parking of oversized vehicles. He further noted that there are over two hundred forty (240) school buses all over the City who not only transport students to school but also to special events and field trips. The South Bend Community School Corporation school bus maintenance facility is located on Bendix Drive. The buses are on the road all day with short periods of down time when they need to park the bus at their home or other locations. Councilmember King reminded everyone that this issue came to light last winter when the Department of Code Enforcement starting issuing parking tickets to school buses parked in residential neighborhoods. At that time a solution was sought. After much research the decision was made to allow the parking of school buses on snow emergency routes. Councilmember King noted that these routes are well marked and are wide enough to handle traffic even though a bus was parked at the curb. The amendment submitted today permits the parking of school buses in "A" residential neighborhoods from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Ray Wallace, 1230 Miner Street, South Bend, Indiana, representing School Bus Drivers Local 686, spoke in favor of this amendment. He noted that he begins his school bus route at 6:30 a.m. with short breaks in between runs. The drivers need a place to park the buses for these short periods and they are in support of this amendment. There being no one present wishing to speak in opposition to this bill, Councilmember Hosinski made a motion to send this bill to the full Council favorably. Councilmember Sniadecki seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. BILL NO. 80 -99 A BILL AMENDING CHAPTER 20, ARTICLE 6 OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE PROHIBITING THE PARKING OF TRUCKS WITHIN FIFTY(50) FEET OF ANY STOP SIGN IN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA