Council approves updated vacation-of-ways rules and tax abatements for two downtown projects; several bills referred to committee

The South Bend Common Council on Feb. 24 passed an ordinance updating procedures for vacation of public ways and three resolutions designating economic revitalization areas, and sent several other bills to committee for further review.

Bill 07‑25, "an ordinance amending chapter 18, article 5 to update the procedures for vacation of public ways and public places," received a favorable recommendation from Public Works and was passed unanimously by the full council on third reading (8‑0). City staff said the amendments separate fee payments into stages, reduce petitioner requirements for duplicate mailings, and change an adjacent‑owner confirmation requirement from 100% to a simple majority (51%) to avoid unintentionally blocking petitions when an adjacent owner cannot be reached.

Two resolutions related to redevelopment at 425 South Michigan Street — read as Resolution 25‑14 (a two‑year vacant‑building tax abatement) and Resolution 25‑15 (a 10‑year real property tax abatement) for Penny Hill…