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I attended two of the several scheduled meetings held over two days in which changes were discussed. My shareholder interest was in the discussion on agricultural and residential, and I also attended the public meeting. Representatives from Clarion Associates were in charge of the presentations. Their goal with these changes is to improve, streamline, simplify and clarify the steps for residents and business leaders to follow when submitting an application to the board. An alignment of city and county laws will be accomplished. The rules would be the same no matter where the location. It was stated that they reviewed and took into account the proposals outlined in “Plan-It-Allen”. This is how their term “streamline” is defined. When an applicant, for example, wants to build in an area, if the site is already zoned for a building purpose, it would not be necessary to hold a public hearing because the planning commission would have to legally permit it because it is already zoned for that purpose. This is where the public would not have a say. This is the situation that has frustrated the public, that when they voice objections to a project and the request is granted, it feels like their voices have not been heard. In the past, it has not been communicated to the public that the request will be granted as long as regulations have been meet. When it is not necessary to schedule a public hearing and permits are reviewed internally, the process to grant a permit results in a few weeks instead of months. The trade off would be stricter rules and requirements for the proposed project.

Shelby Sommer of Clarion said the positive results would be: required green space, set backs, screening, landscaping and lighting. Legislative streamlining would identify zoning ordinance barriers, avoid duplication of ordinances, and support planning services by implementing the stricter rules and regulations. Two levels of granting permits will exist, primary and secondary. Secondary will deal with the most complex situations. These will be entered in charts and tables and be checked off as the requirements are satisfied. Complete applications would be required the first time- no exceptions. Timelines would be set for the county surveyor. The extremely important issue then is that the public needs to be involved and have a time to state its acceptance or rejection of a proposed change of zoning or asking for an exception to the rules. This change in zoning and /or rules would require a public hearing. Everyone is affected by “land-use plans” and “nonconforming uses”. Therefore persons should have a voice in reviewing and commenting on proposals.

The timeline: Clarion and Patrick Fahey (PatrickFahey@allencounty.us) or by phone at 449-7607 will take public comments through April. All input will be revised in May. It will be integrated into draft, phase 2 and 3 in June. Adaptation process will occur in late June and early July. The Plan Commission will make recommendations and those go to City/County Council and then to the Commissioners. Clarion Associates suggests that all changes and acceptance of those changes definitely be done by the end of the year so any permit applications in the new year can be processed using the new rules and requirements. Existing businesses or residences could be required to make adjustments to their property under the new standards, such as not being able to add on to the building because of a required set-back or having to establish a buffer zone, screening, landscaping or lighting. Comments can also be mailed to Patrick Fahey of the Department of Planning Services at 200 East Berry Street, Suite 150, Citizens Square, Fort Wayne, IN 46802.

Website to definitely visit: http://www.allencounty.us/land-use/dps. This is a 277 page report and is broken down into 8 sections. It is an outline of this zoning process and gives valuable information. I would suggest reviewing it and submitting your comments pertaining to the areas of your interest and concern. I am planning to say there must be a provision for the public to give views on zoning changes or rule exceptions by means of public hearings. I’m still working on comments on my views of allowing new construction without a proper infrastructure. Rules can be reviewed in Allen county A-1 and A-3 Permitted Uses, Allen County Subdivision Control (Development Processes). This is your opportunity to make your voice heard. When this process is closed for input, it will be done.

My final thought. If more authority is being delegated to the staff of the Department of Planning Services for granting permits without public input, my question is “how is the staff appointed and by whom, and what are their qualifications to hold said position”? They will be required to review the revised zoning ordinances and adhere to all rules regulating the permits. We as the general public will still need to hold them accountable for their decisions.

Shirley Meighen
President of Friends of Cedar Creek

After an interest in gathering national support for environmental issues was growing, San Francisco activist John McConnel and Wisconsin senator Gaylord Nelson separately asked Americans to join in a grassroots demonstration for this cause. In 1970, McConnel chose March 21 and Nelson chose April 22. Millions of people participated, so the nation’s first Earth Day was celebrated. In fact, that led to the creation of the US Environmental Protection Agency. Today, Earth Day continues to be widely observed with events even celebrated on both dates.

The April date is the most common and the 2013 Earth Day is Monday, April 22. The usual chosen practice is that of planting trees. One could also plant wildflowers and plants that thrive in their natural area, many of those would attract butterflies. Practice conserving water. Be adventurous and try an organic garden. Most importantly, on Earth Day, go outside, enjoy the fresh air, make contact with the soil of our good earth. Feel the companionship with nature. Walk through the woods in search of emerging spring life as wildflowers and green moss. Take this opportunity that is available, for too much of nature is disappearing and cannot be replaced.

Shirley Meighen
Friends of Cedar Creek President
February 10, 2013

You can be a water-way hero by joining Friends of Cedar Creek during the month of May for spring clean up. With spring in full gear it is a great time to pick up litter and debris in the Cedar Creek area. A large dumpster will be available to collect trash, tires and any other trash that you collect roadside (or waterside with the permission from the land owner) until May 20th at the Izaak Walton League on Griffin Road.

Are the trees in your area being butchered by untrained electric company employees? Bring your concerns and voice your opinion by attending meetings to propose changes to the IURC rulings on how trees that obstruct powerlines are cared for.

Community Meeting: Saturday, May 19, 2012, 9am - 12pm
    Preview of changes to the IURC rulings

Final Public Hearing: Thursday, May 24th, 2012, 6pm

Visit Indiana Tree Alliance events page for location

Click here for the full story

By Annika Van Gilder

Discover the events that lead Tom and Jane Dustin down the path to establish the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, the conservation of our own Cedar Creek and many other environmental conquests to preserve the natural areas of Indiana.

This paper is posted with the permission of Annika Van Gilder. Thank you Annika!

Click here to open PDF version.

Friends of Cedar Creek send their sympathy to the family of James M. Barrett III. Jim will always be a great inspiration for everyone with a passion to preserve nature.

Journal Gazette - by Archie Ingersoll
"In a brief autobiography, Barrett wrote that he developed an interest in the outdoors as a child growing up in Fort Wayne."

McComb and Son's Obituary

Great news story!
CBS News Video

Environmental Protection Agency

"EPA is soliciting applications for grants and cooperative agreements to be awarded as part of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Up to $40 million may be awarded under this Request for Applications for about 150 projects, contingent on the availability of appropriations, the quality of applications received, and other applicable considerations."

Check out Photos by Tad Bowman at our Shutterfly site!

Thank you Tad Bowman and kayak group for their efforts in cleaning up Cedar Creek on September 11th!
This is a great example of what misguided folk can do to a beautiful stream. Let’s NOT use our rivers for dumping grounds!

"We had an extremely successful day for the Cedar Creek clean up. There are pictures posted under 00001 Cedar Creek to view. We collected over 50 tires out of the sandy bottom of the creek and nearly filled a complete dumpster full trash. Several of the canoes were so over loaded with river trash that they were only a few inches from taking on water. We had seven canoes that we had to unload two different times to make room for more river junk. There were two groups for different sections of the creek while walking the shallow creek bed and the upper side banks. We were all suppressed at the quantity of items and what all we found. There has never been a formal cleanup on Cedar since an early attempt in the 1980's but we found some items that went back to the forties. We had a big day on Cedar Creek but also all had a lot of fun. The sandwiches and soft drinks were a nice treat at the end of the morning. For local Scout Troop, Auburn voleeteers, and those not mentioned thank you for your help. I was suppressed that Fred and Jay were able to get that big semi tires into a canoe and with Lorie's help keeping us all moving. We had a big success today in keeping one of our local rivers clean." Tadd Bowman

Visit Fort Wayne Paddlers Website!

Greening the Fort Wayne Region

"Greening the Fort Wayne Region presentation by the Hoosier Environmental Council with Area Local partners on Saturday, September 11, 2010. The day will be coordinated covering Environmental Challenges and Solutions in Northeast Indiana."
Saturday Registration

This is the most amazing footage of Humming Birds! This is why Friends of Cedar Creek strive to maintain the river corridor in its natural state, not only for the wildlife , but the aquifer, the water quality, the beauty, and the recreation.
You Tube Link

Most eagles fly over Cedar Creek, but we can watch from afar. Enjoy. There are times when the parents have feeding time and neat events like that are saved to view at any time (scroll down to “old site” and click on that page and you will see boxes to choose from highlighting those minutes.)
Eagle's nest link

Members, I know a number of members had missed the passing of member Art George on February 23, at his home. Art was 84.

Art was a wonderful supporter of Friends of Cedar Creek and Izaak Walton, always good natured and had great nature stories for our meetings. He had a special knack of drawing in wildlife from all around his home and getting great photos that we all enjoyed. Friends of Cedar Creek sent a floral arrangement, and memorials were specified to Izaak Walton.

Art, we will miss you.

Indiana News Center Obituaries

Al Diefenbach
President

Happy New Year to all and thanks to Dennis Baker for forwarding this link to the Commissioners regarding a request for volunteers to some county boards. This is an opportunity for Friends of Cedar Creek to contribute ideas and action to county programs. Please give strong thought to submitting your name for consideration for one of these posts. We all have more to contribute to these boards than most citizens because we are active on issues and it would reflect well of FOCC to see that we are also active in doing as well as saying. Good luck and I am sure letters of recommendation would be forthcoming from this group and your friends in your support.

Al Diefenbach
President
Friends of Cedar Creek

Commissioners inviting Allen board applicants (Journal Gazette)