09-28-98 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 28, 1998 the period to a comma, and add "and shall be subject to a final site plan that shows a minimum of: 1. A landscaping plan. 2. A dedicated road through the property to the site to the west. 3. Buffering and landscaping for the Residential land to the south, west and north. 4. An access road system that moves traffic through the site. 5. A minimum 25' landscaped setback along U.S. 31. Council Member Kelly made a motion to accept the amendment, seconded by Council Member Aranowski. The motion carried. Russell Waldschmidt, president of Wald /land Corp., Peoria IL, indicated they are planning to bring a retail project to the City's south side. He advised that his company has been involved with three other developments in the area. He informed the Council that they were unsuccessful in finding space on Ireland Road, therefore, they choose U.S. 31. He indicated the south side of the City has a substantial amount of residential growth, and we believe the development of this project will service as a major catalyst. He indicated they will install a traffic signal which will include a turning lane. Edward Hardig, attorney, spoke in favor of this project, on behalf of Patel, Inc. LLC. He reported that the Patels are in the hotel business, and they are proposing one or two hotels, an office structure and restaurant. He indicated there is a need for hotels and restaurants on the south side of the City. Gita Patel, 3510 Addison, indicated this project will bring hotels and shops to the residents of the south side. She indicated they want to build within the City limits and this site fits their needs. Paula Alburn, 1614 Oak Park, spoke in favor of the annexation and zoning. She indicated there is no question but what development is going to take place on the south side of the City. She advised that as a City home owner she feels this project should be built in the City. Bob Goetz, 61900 S. Scott, indicated that he would appreciate City water and sewer. Charles Nyers, 61191 U.S. 31, indicated they have traffic problems with speeders, and with this proposed commercial development we have been promised a stop light to slow traffic. David Waltman, clerk for the Centre Township Trustee, spoke regarding the City fire department and the Centre Township volunteer organization working together. He indicated he did not feel they could work together. He read a letter from the Township Trustee against this annexation. Todd Zeiger, 61550 U.S. 31 South, indicated the south side needed planned growth and this is not planned growth. He advised that U.S. 31 is a very dangerous highway, and Roosevelt Rd., is the highest point in St. Joseph County and infrastructure to the site cannot handle the increased traffic. He indicated the commercial facilities on the south side would be negatively impacted. He asked the Council if there was a firm commitment from INDOT. Clifford Hamilton, 209 W. Ireland Road., indicated he had a business between Johnson Road and Kern and and the light at Johnson does absolutely nothing to keep the traffic from going by me office at sixty miles per hour. He also indicated there would be a problem with police protection in the area. Jerry Kline, 62600 Turkey Trail, indicated that Southlawn Cemetery is across the road from the proposed project and we have fifteen burials a month and they will cross two lanes to enter the cemetery. He asked how safe it will be to cross U.S. 31 if this project is built. Marsha Healy, 20363 Ozone Rd., indicated she was opposed because of the safety factor. Steve Barlish 59919 S. Main spoke against this bill. Susan Nellia, 19879 Kern Road, indicated she drove a school bus and prayed every day that one of the trucks going sixty miles an hour would not hit the bus when they pull out on 31. Dan Healy, 20363 Ozone, spoke regarding the traffic problem. He indicated he had contacted the Department of Transportation and there is nothing proposed for this area. He indicated this is a bad location for this development. Sandra Zeiger, 19855 Lucinda,