Green Factoids from the Green City Newsletter

Turn off the tap! Turning off the water while you brush your teeth can save up to 8 gallons of water per day, which equals 240 gallons a month. Find out more about using water wisely. Water Sense

Plug home electronics, such as TVs and DVD players, into power strips; turn the power strips off when the equipment is not in use (TVs and DVDs in standby mode still use several watts of power). Find more tips here.

Test your Home for Radon. Radon gas occurs naturally but is the No. 1 cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Nearly 50 people a day will die from indoor exposure to radon. Fortunately, this is a health hazard with a simple solution. How do you conduct a test? Most home improvement/hardware stores sell radon test kits. Follow the package directions on placement of the device and where to send it after the test to get your reading. Radon Testing

It's that time of year again

Each year, Limberlost Acres collects $30 from each household to help defray association expenses. Some of those expenses are:

* Snow plowing
* Mowing of pond property
* Paying property taxes on pond property
* Maintaining signage

Please make your check for $30 payable to "Limberlost Acres Community Association" and mail or deliver to:

* Scott Naltner at 10221 Limberlost Trail
- OR -
* Cheryl Allen at 10207 Jamaica Drive

When you meet your obligation, it helps us meet ours.

Thanks!

Small pet warning

Those of you with outdoor cats and small dogs should be aware that in our neighborhood there are hawks by day and owls by night that might be a threat to your small pet. These predators are more interested in rabbits and mice, which is a good thing, but they may mistake your puppy for a meal. So keep an eagle eye to the sky while little Fifi does her business!

Recycle your Christmas tree

From the Green City Email Newsletter, December 2009:

Recycle your Christmas tree! December 26 – January 15

For More Information Contact the Allen County Solid Waste Management District at 449-7878 or www.acwastewatcher.org

Drop-off Locations in the Fort Wayne Area:

*** Allen County Highway Garage -2234 Carroll Rd
*** Foster Park West – Soccer Field parking lot W side
*** Foellinger Theatre – back parking lot SW corner
*** McMillen Park – Pool parking lot
*** Shoaff park Conklin Pavilion

Remember: Plastic bags, ornaments and tinsel MUST be removed. Wreaths are NOT accepted.

Fat free is good for sewers, too

From The Green City Newsletter for December 2009:

**********

Fat Free Sewers
By Fort Wayne City Utilities

The holiday season means that more of us are cooking traditional foods and special treats that may be extra rich and fattening. This may also mean more fats, oils and grease that can eventually make its way down the drain and into a City sewer line. Fort Wayne City Utilities spends an estimated half-million dollars per year to clean grease out of sewer lines and to prevent it from building up, clogging pipes and causing sewer backups.

Grease is a by-product of cooking that comes from meat fats, lard, oil, shortening, food scraps, and even baked goods. When these materials are washed down the sink, the grease sticks on the sides of the sewer pipes – both on private property and in the public sewer system. Over time, grease can build up to the point where it blocks the entire line. Home garbage disposals do not keep grease out of the plumbing system. Products such as detergents that claim to dissolve grease just pass it down the line so that it causes problems elsewhere. And while hot water may appear to make grease go away, it just melts the solids which can harden again when they hit a cold sewer pipe.

Here are some things you can do to help reduce the chances of backups caused by oil and grease buildup in you drain and in public sewers:

* Never pour grease down the drain, into the toilet or into a storm drain.

* For a large amount of oil, pour the cooled liquid into a milk jug. Fill the jug about half full, then add kitty litter to absorb the liquid. Put the lid on the jug and place it in the trash.

* Scrape grease dripping from cooking and food scraps into the trash and wipe greasy dishes and pans with paper towels before washing them. Dispose of the paper toweling in the trash.

* Place baskets or strainers in sink drains to catch food scraps and other solids and empty the strainers into the trash.

* Seek out opportunities to share your knowledge with friends and neighbors who may not know about the risks and costs of putting grease down the drain.

Proposed Redevelopment of 225 East Dupont Road

I previously sent you a letter regarding a proposed Rezoning and Primary Development Plan Application for redevelopment of the Dupont Road Wesleyan Church property located at 225 East Dupont Road. A neighborhood meeting had been scheduled to discuss the proposed development on Thursday, November 12. That meeting was cancelled.

At this time, our client has withdrawn their Rezoning and Primary Development Plan Applications, in total, for the proposed redevelopment and use of this property. As such, there will be no rescheduling of the neighborhood meeting that was cancelled last evening. I am,

Very truly yours,

Thomas M. Niezer

Barrett & McNagny, LLP

Neighborhood Meeting; Proposed Redevelopment of 225 East Dupont Road

As you may know, the Real Estate at 225 East Dupont Road has been marketed for sale by Mr. Dave Norton of Martin Goldstine Knapke for some time. The Church recently entered into a purchase agreement with Janelle Ford, who operates Ace Medical Supply, Inc. This firm has been asked to represent Ms. Ford and Ace Medical Supply, Inc. in the acquisition and rezoning of the Real Estate. Donovan Engineering is also working with our client as civil engineer for the project. I am writing to inform you that a neighborhood meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, November 12 at 6:30 PM regarding the rezoning and future development of the Real Estate. The meeting will take place at Faith United Church of Christ, located at 10707 Coldwater Road, behind the Dupont Villages Shopping Center.

The proposed rezoning is comprised of two main parts. Currently, the Dupont Road Wesleyan Church is situated on the south third of the Real Estate. As you are aware, the Church has discontinued use of the building, which now sits largely vacant. Ace Medical Supply would convert the existing Church building into a specialty durable medical equipment store. Other than minor cosmetic improvements and interior renovations, the south third of the Real Estate will be left largely in its current condition. The proposed use of the south third of the Real Estate for a durable medical equipment business will require rezoning the Real Estate to CM-1. This zoning classification is generally used as a buffer between residential uses and more intense commercial uses, such as those uses located in and around Dupont Village.

The second part of the Real Estate’s rezoning will involve the north two-thirds of the Real Estate. Specifically, as currently proposed, the north two-thirds of the Real Estate will be developed as approximately 32 single-family retirement/senior-only residential units. As proposed, access to the residential units will be available by an extension of the existing access currently serving the Church building. These units will be clustered in the center of the Real Estate, and will be surrounded on the outside by an asphalt drive. The residential portion of the development will be buffered on all sides by landscaping. As proposed, the residential units will be designed in a townhome style. More information about specific design aspects of the units themselves will be available at the neighborhood meeting. This senior-only residential use will act as a buffer between the surrounding residential uses and the commercial uses to the east of the Real Estate. This residential development of the north two-thirds of the Real Estate will require rezoning that portion as an RP, or Planned Residential, district.

To date, Ms. Ford has not yet applied for the necessary rezoning and primary development plan approval with the City of Fort Wayne Plan Commission. The application deadline for this project is November 4, 2009; therefore, copies of Ms. Ford’s proposed applications for rezoning and primary development plan approval as well as copies of the proposed site plan will each be made available at the upcoming neighborhood meeting. Additionally, the public hearing before the City of Fort Wayne Plan Commission, assuming application is made by November 4th, will occur on December 7, 2009 at 6:00 PM in room 126 of the City-County Building. The primary goal of the neighborhood meeting is to give the surrounding property owners an opportunity to be among the first to receive details and information regarding the rezoning and proposed development.

Very truly yours,

Thomas M. Niezer

Barrett & McNagny, LLP

15 East Berry Street

P.O. Box 2263

Fort Wayne, Indiana 46801-2263

260-423-9651

www.barrettlaw.com