Targeting Saturday, May 8th for a community-wide yard sale.
Working to secure a venue for the annual homeowners meeting (tentative dates: June 8th, 9th, or 10th)
All posts by Franklin Trace Home Owners Association
rECYCLING delay
Republic’s recycling service ran behind today and will pick up Franklin Trace recycling on Monday, June 8th. Thanks, Mr. Myles, for the heads-up!
2020 Community Yard Sale: POSTPONED TO A LATER DATE
POSTPONED to accommodate Marion County SD expectations; will update as the situation and expectations clear up.
Scheduled for Saturday, May 9th. A sign will be posted at the Southport Road entrance to Franklin Trace and a notification will be placed on Craigslist.
Leaves and Storm Drains
Franklin Trace Homeowners,
As the fall season transitions into winter, we wanted to send a friendly reminder about the fallen leaves that can clog storm drains. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to clean up the leaves in and around the storm drains, if your property abuts up to one of the drains.
Parking Violations in Franklin Trace
Multiple complaints have been received regarding parking violations within Franklin Trace. Letters have been sent to all reported addresses. Final notices and will be sent and follow-up actions will be taken if the violations continue.
Please be aware of the related articles in the Declaration of Restrictions:
5. D. Vehicle Parking. The following shall apply to the parking of vehicles:
i. Parking on the streets, which includes both dedicated and undedicated streets, within the development is hereby prohibited, except:
a. An owner’s guests and visitors may temporarily (less than twenty-four (24) consecutive hours) park on the streets; and
b. In the case of special events, parties, or functions that necessarily require the owner or owner’s visitors to park on the street on a temporary (less than twenty-four (24) consecutive hours) basis.
If you have any questions regarding these restrictions, please contact Kirkpatrick Property Management.
Indianapolis Noise Ordinance for Motor Vehicles
Several residents have submitted questions regarding noise issues with vehicles in Franklin Trace. Noise issues are not covered by the Franklin Trace HOA covenants, but are covered by the City of Indianapolis Noise Ordinance. A summary of the noise ordinance is provided below.
If anyone has issues with vehicle noise, please start by talking with your neighbors. If that is not effective, the next step would be to contact local authorities, such as the Mayor’s Action Center (317) 327-4622.
Summary of the Indianapolis Vehicle Noise Ordinance (Sec. 391-302. Unlawful noises – excerpt)
Operation or possession of any engine not equipped with a muffler that complies with federal, state, and local standards is not allowed in any public street between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Operation is also not allowed on private property between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. if the noise is plainly audible to a person with normal hearing from any place outside the property.
Download the full Indianapolis Noise Ordinance (PDF) here.
Trash and Recycling Pick-up Day Changing
Starting September 12th, 2016, the trash and recycling pickup day for Franklin Trace will move to Friday.
Speaking of recycling, participation by Franklin Trace residents is extremely low. I initially thought recycling wasn’t worth the effort, but signed-up because my wife insisted. It was much easier than I thought it would be – there’s no sorting and everything goes in the same container. I’ve changed my mind and encourage others to participate. To sign-up for curbside recycling, call Republic Services at 317-917-7300.
Heavy trash pick-up is still the third week of every month.
The week after Labor Day 2016, trash will be picked-up on Wednesday, September 7th. Friday pickups begin the following week.
Pond Maintenance Access
As all lots in Franklin Trace are now developed, our aquatic services contractor can no longer use empty or undeveloped lots to access retention ponds A and B. Therefore, the contractor must now use the already established pond access easements noted with red arrows on the attached diagram. The numbers on the red arrows indicate through which lots the easement is located (e.g., the west pond access easement to pond A is located equally between lots 199 and 200).
We don’t anticipate any changes to the current access points on ponds C and D, as the lots abutting those ponds have been developed for some time, and retention pond access is already well established.
It’s imperative that we continue to treat the retention ponds as efficiently as possible, requiring regular (weekly) access to all ponds, April through October. The folks who service our retention ponds are experienced professionals and have been managing the ponds in Franklin Trace, and many other communities for many years. They understand the concerns homeowners have with their use of the pond access easements on their lots. Not only do they use good judgement when accessing a pond (i.e., they don’t access ponds in very wet conditions or they use another access easement that is more conducive to conditions on that day), but they accept responsibility for any repair that is necessary if the turf is damaged through their use of the pond access easement.
Please help your HOA as it works to properly treat the retention ponds, minimizing weed and algae growth, and ensuring the pond fountains are properly maintained.
Thanks in advance for your cooperation.
Spring 2016 Update
Here’s a brief update of all the things going on in the neighborhood:
- Drainage Tile at Southport Road Entrance: The drainage tile at the Southport Road entrance is broken. This has been reported to the city and they have taken responsibility for fixing it. Update: The repair has been scheduled for some time around June 1; we have requested that the date be pulled up, but not sure that we can make it happen any earlier.
- Change in Landscaping and Snow Removal Vendor: Due to multiple performance issues in 2015, Franklin Trace left our long-term vendor Brickman and has moved to ProCut for 2016. They will be responsible for any remaining snow removal as well as spring clean-up, mulching, and mowing of the common areas. The the head of ProCut maintained our community previously when working for a different vendor, so we are expecting a smooth transition.
- Pond Easement for Northwest Pond: The board has identified the easement locations so that our pond vendor can have boat access to the pond in the northwest corner of the neighborhood. Owners on the lot with the easement will be contacted so that boat access can be coordinated.
- Mailbox Reminder: Please remember that all mailboxes must be in good condition and painted the proper color. Please see our Mailboxs page for more details.
- Spring 2016 Yard Sale Day: May 21, 2016 will be the day of our spring yard/garage sale. We will coordinate with surrounding communities (Franklin Parke Estates, Breckenridge)
- Pool Water in Storm Drain Reminder: Please do not drain chlorinated or chemically-treated water into the storm drains when opening or closing your pools. This is resulted in large fish kills in the past and is an EPA violation.
- Silt and Depth of Retention Ponds: Our pond maintenance vendor surveyed all ponds. All ponds are functioning properly and there is no need to dredge or remove silt. If homeowners around a particular pond want to dredge for aesthetic reasons, it would be the responsibility of those homeowners to fund the work.
- Annual Meeting: The annual HOA meeting will be Wednesday, June 1st, 2016 at the Franklin Library (next to El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant.)
New Indianapolis Care & Treatment Ordinance for Your Dog
Please note that new a new dog treatment ordinance is in affect for Indianapolis. This is separate from / in addition to anything listed in the Franklin Trace covenants.
A note from Ryan Clem, Director of Community Outreach, from Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services
A new ordinance that went into effect this year sets general requirements for animal care and treatment (Revised Code of the Consolidated City and County, Indianapolis/Marion County, IN Section 531-401).
Shelter
Your dog must have access to:
• a shelter constructed of solid wood or other weather resistant materials consisting of solid walls on all sides
• a dry floor raised above the ground
• a roof sloped away from the entrance to protect your dog from weather and extreme cold
During the winter months and when the temperature is below 40°F:
• the shelter must be large enough for your dog to stand up and turn around
• the entrance must be covered by a flexible wind proofing material or self-closing door
• the shelter must contain clean, dry bedding which must consist of an insulating material that does not retain moisture, such as straw, and sufficient depth for your dog to burrow
Pen or Fenced Enclosure
• Your dog must have adequate space for exercise when confined to a kennel, enclosure or pen which must be at least 100 square feet (for example: 10ft. x 10ft.)
• Any dog over 80 pounds must be provided with a space of 150 square feet
• For each additional dog inside the enclosure, an extra 50 square feet must be provided
Tethering
It is against the law to tether (chain) your dog if any of the following is true:
• Your dog is is less than 6 months old
• Your dog is sick or injured
• It is between 11PM & 6AM
• Your dog is not spayed or neutered, unless you are an adult, your dog is in your visual range, and you are outside with your dog
Extreme Weather
Your dog must be brought inside a temperature controlled building, such as your house when:
• the temperature outside is 20°F & below
• the temperature outside is 90°F & above
• there’s a heat advisory
• there’s a windchill warning
• a tornado warning has been issued
Shade
On any day where the temperature is at or above 80°F, your dog’s shelter must be shaded by either trees or a tarp.
To get help for your dog, call the Friends of Indianapolis Dogs Outside (FIDO): 317-221-1314
To report a dog in need, call the Mayors Action Center: 317-327-4622