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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Here’s a brief update of all the things going on in the neighborhood:
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 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