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
