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Lafayette Falls residents press South Bend council for second entrance, sidewalks and usable open space
Summary
Residents of the Lafayette Falls neighborhood told the South Bend City Council they face safety risks from a single entrance, narrow streets without sidewalks, and a lack of usable public space as hundreds of new homes are proposed; council members pledged follow-up but took no formal action.
Lafayette Falls residents urged the South Bend City Council on Thursday to require a secondary entrance, sidewalks and a usable public open space before further subdivision build-out proceeds.
An unnamed resident said the neighborhood’s sidewalks are often unusable because parked cars and overgrowth reduce clear walking space “to what is essentially 1 lane,” forcing pedestrians, children and people on scooters into the street.
The request came during public comment as multiple residents described traffic congestion, emergency-access concerns and what they called insufficient on-site public space as dozens more homes are built.
Why it matters: Residents said a single primary entrance, narrow internal streets and on-street parking increase the risk of vehicle-pedestrian conflicts and could delay emergency responders. Several speakers also raised stormwater and habitat concerns around a quarry-turned-wetland that sits at the neighborhood’s low point.
Residents’ accounts and requests
Mike Dav…
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