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Council committee backs resolution asking South Bend to pause participation in Midwest Continental Divide initiative
Summary
After extensive public comment urging transparency and caution, the zoning/annexation committee voted 5–1 to forward a resolution asking the city to pause further participation in the Midwest Continental Divide initiative until the route, fiscal terms and local impacts are fully disclosed and considered.
Chair Oliver Davis introduced a resolution (Bill 26-21) asking the City of South Bend to pause further execution or participation in the Midwest Continental Divide initiative until the exact proposed trail route, fiscal implications and municipal impacts are fully disclosed to property owners and residents.
Davis said many landowners and residents raised concerns about not being informed of the route and potential for eminent-domain issues. "The exact desired trail route must be fully disclosed and made public," he said, adding that municipal funds must be stewarded carefully and that the compact’s stated eligible purposes include education, public health, and economic development as well as trail infrastructure.
More than a dozen speakers came to the podium during the public comment period; several farmers, homeowners and neighborhood advocates urged pause and more consultation. Speakers argued the compact funds need not be spent on a trail and that affected landowners had not been adequately engaged. Supporters for a pause said the compact can fund multiple program areas and that city oversight, route transparency and stronger local input were necessary before committing South Bend to specific projects.
The committee considered the resolution and, after a roll call, recorded five ayes and one nay (Vice Chair Thomas Morgan recorded a nay in the roll). The committee voted to send the resolution to the committee of the whole with a favorable recommendation.
The resolution’s sponsors asked for further public hearings and for staff to provide fuller information on the compact, route options and potential uses of funds before the full council votes on the city's position.
