PETITION IN OPPOSITION TO REZONING REQUEST

Springwood / Orchard Wood Addition – Fort Wayne, Indiana

Property Address: 6910 Elderberry Drive
Current Zoning: R-1 (Single-Family Residential)
Proposed Zoning: C-3 (General Commercial)
Proposed Development: Convenience store with fuel canopy

Statement of Opposition

We, the undersigned homeowners and residents of the Springwood and Orchard Wood Additions, formally oppose the rezoning request for the property located at 6910 Elderberry Drive, which seeks to rezone the property from R-1 Residential to C-3 Commercial to allow construction of a convenience store with fuel pumps.

The Springwood and Orchard Wood neighborhoods are established single-family residential communities. Introducing a high-intensity commercial use at this location is incompatible with the existing land use pattern and poses significant concerns for residents, including:

• Increased traffic volumes and safety hazards, particularly along neighborhood streets used by families, pedestrians, and children
• Noise, bright lighting, and late-night activity associated with a convenience store and fuel canopy
• Air and environmental risks, including underground fuel storage, stormwater runoff, and increased impervious surfaces
• Negative effects on nearby residential property values
• Conflict with the City of Fort Wayne Comprehensive Plan, which prioritizes the protection of established residential neighborhoods
• Increased strain on local infrastructure, including roads, drainage systems, and emergency services
• Proximity to a high school, with the proposed development located approximately 2,100 feet from a high school, raising additional concerns related to student safety, pedestrian traffic, and increased vehicular congestion during school hours

Rezoning this property to C-3 represents spot zoning that benefits a private commercial interest while imposing permanent adverse impacts on surrounding residential neighborhoods, including the Springwood and Orchard Wood Additions.

For these reasons, we respectfully request that the Fort Wayne Plan Commission and Fort Wayne City Council deny the rezoning petition for 6910 Elderberry Drive and maintain the current R-1 residential zoning to protect the safety, character, and quality of life of the Springwood and Orchard Wood communities