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South Bend council approves vacation of small parcels near Lincoln Way West for new housing
Summary
The South Bend Common Council approved Ordinance Bill 49-25 to vacate assorted small parcels near Lincoln Way West, Leland Avenue and West Marion Street, a step councilmembers and staff said cleans up lot lines after prior street realignment and supports adjacent housing development.
The South Bend Common Council on Sept. 8 approved Ordinance Bill 49-25 to vacate assorted small parcels near the Lincoln Way West, Leland Avenue and West Marion Street intersection, clearing mismatched lot lines created after a 2018 street realignment.
City Community Investment staff described the vacation as a final administrative step that aligns property lines with the current roadway configuration and said the land will support adjacent residential development by a private developer.
Chris Dressel, city Community Investment, told the council the physical roadway improvements were completed in 2018 and that the vacation is a “cleanup matching the new lot lines.” He said the area will support additional housing development by Advantix Development Company, which began work this summer on about 50 new units on scattered sites on the city’s west side.
Resident Yonette Freeman, who gave her address as 526 North Scott Street, said she welcomed new housing but asked the council to consider sidewalks in the neighborhood, saying parts of the area still lack sidewalks and that residents were concerned about how the new building would fit with existing infrastructure. "We need sidewalks," Freeman said.
Council member McBride said the council should consider whether it is more cost-effective to add sidewalks concurrent with major developments, rather than waiting for homeowners or annual sidewalk programs. Dressel replied the city has programs for sidewalk replacement and that council members are preparing next year’s sidewalk list.
The committee of the whole had given Bill 49-25 a favorable recommendation. During third reading the council moved for passage; a roll call recorded eight ayes and the ordinance passed.
The council did not attach additional conditions to the vacation at the time of passage; council and staff said sidewalk requests and related infrastructure needs are handled through the city’s sidewalk program and future capital planning.
