Board Update: Board updates signage policy, “Meet the Neighbors” series returns, suspicious photographer on Tanager

Hello Eagle Nest residents,

Your favorite neighborhood blog is back this week after a short hiatus (aka vacation). Here’s a look at neighborhood news for the week of March 8:

BOARD UPDATES SIGNAGE POLICY; COPY COMING IN MAIL

From the not-so-interesting-but-important-to-know category: The Board recently updated the Development’s Signage Policy and recorded it with Marion County as part of our legally binding Declarations of Restrictions.

Click here to read the updated Signage Policy. A copy also will be mailed to all residents in the next week or so.

Why should residents care? We all have an interest in maintaining the neighborhood’s aesthetics, and that means keeping our lots, intersections and common grounds free of excessive, worn or distracting signage, particularly yard signs with expired messaging. We also needed to codify and adopt updated standards, ensure consistency and provide legal standing for corrective action, if needed, throughout the Development. Bottomline: It’s all about maintaining the welcoming environment Eagle Nest is known for.

What the ENPOA Declarations of Restrictions say
The Declarations of Restrictions (Dec. 22, 1977), Section 5(B) - General Prohibitions states: "No signs or advertisements shall be displayed or placed on any lot or structure in the Development without the prior written approval of the Committee." The signage policy has been added to the Declarations of Restrictions.

What you need to do
If you currently have signs in your yard or on your house you must request permission to display them by March 31, 2021. All signs must be approved per the new standards. Yes, that means “Be Happy,” “Black Lives Matter,” “Heroes Work Here,” etc. Email your request and a photo of the sign to RulesRestrictions@att.net

What if my sign was previously approved?
Now that we have an official policy, we need to wipe the slate clean and start from scratch with all properties. While most signs currently on display meet the new standard(s), a request for approval still must be submitted. Again, that deadline to submit a request is March 31, 2021.

Questions?
Questions should be directed to the Rules and Restrictions Committee by emailing RulesRestrictions@att.net. Thank you for your attention and cooperation regarding this matter.

MEET THE NEIGHBORS: Citizenship starts in cul-de-sac for Roths of Tanager Court

An Eagle Nest family with a passion for service has reached beyond the neighborhood in trying to make a positive difference in the world.

Meet Philip Roth, Ph.D., and his wife Megan Query-Roth, who live on Tanager Court with their three children:

• Charlie, age 18, a freshman at Ball State University majoring in Social Work. He plays both viola and piano.
• Zoey, 16, a sophomore at North Central High School where she is in the Kings Court Singers choir and the Symphony Orchestra. She plays piano, viola, violin and acoustic guitar.
• Luci, 12, is a 7th grader at Eastwood Middle School, where she’s run on the cross-country team and competed with the Academic Pursuit team. She’s also in both choir and orchestra, and plays the double bass, piano, ukulele, and electric bass guitar.

Other members of the family include their two dogs, Zuko, a beagle mix rescued in August 2020; and Bodhi, a Lhasa Apso rescued in 2012.

“We moved to Eagle Nest in 2004 from our beloved bungalow in Broad Ripple because we were expecting our second child and simply needed more space,” Megan said. “We chose Eagle Nest because of the proximity to family, the sidewalks, the beautiful trees, the schools, and the pool – we LOVE the pool!”

Philip is a senior planner at American Structurepoint with a doctorate degree in geography, a subject he’s taught at IUPUI for more than a dozen years. After a career in social work, Megan stepped away to serve as an instruction assistant in the media center at her children's school. She also has been an adjunct professor at Butler University for 20 years, teaching undergraduate social work.

As a family they enjoy movies, music, playing with their dogs – and share a passion for diabetes research.

“Charlie was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2014. Since his diagnosis, he has raised over $10,000 for the JDRF and advocated on health care coverage issues with our legislators,” Megan said.

The Roths regard neighbors on their cul-de-sac as an extended family.

“We are so grateful for our wonderful neighbors here in ‘the circle,’” Megan said. “We look out for one another and enjoy each other's company.

“We love that our children are growing up making memories of 4th of July celebrations in the cul-de-sac, other various holiday parties with neighbors, long summer days spent at the pool, and snowy winter days spent working as a team with neighbors to get everyone's driveway clear. We love Eagle Nest!” – Compiled by John Strauss, Eagle Nest blog contributor and Tanager Court resident

About this series: Do you have an interesting story about Eagle Nest life to share? Know a neighbor who would make an interesting profile? Let us know. “Meet the Neighbors” highlights new and longtime residents to help Eagle Nest folks get to know each other and build a sense of community.

If you would like to tell your story, or nominate a resident, simply email scottthien@comcast.net and we’ll get you in touch with storyteller and Tanager Court resident John Strauss (He’s an interesting guy himself: longtime journalist with gigs at the IndyStar, WTHR, WFYI, WIBC, The Associated Press and Ball State.) All you need to do is answer a few questions:

• How long have you lived in Eagle Nest and where did you move from?
• The kind of work you do or have done.
• What you do for fun.
• The things you like best about the neighborhood, and what you appreciate the most about your neighbors.
• A fun or amusing story about your time in Eagle Nest.

Everyone has a story – and we hope to read yours soon!

SUSPICIOUS PHOTOGRAPHER REPORTED ON TANAGER LANE

As this blog has noted multiple times, if you see something suspicious say something. Call 911. The reminder comes after an incident late Sunday morning, after residents in the 8400 block of Tanager Lane reported a person taking photographs of their vehicles. The suspicious individual actually walked onto the driveway near the garage and took the photos, then drove away in a blue minivan/SUV type vehicle. Nothing was taken and no one was hurt, but incident serves as a reminder to keep your vehicles locked and ensure valuables are out of sight at all times.
CRIME WATCH MEETING: Join our next Eagle Next Crime watch meeting on May 4. The focus: protecting your home for the summer crime season. Oh, and we’ll have gift cards and food! Want more information or want to volunteer? Contact neighborhood coordinator Carolyn Goldenetz at goldenetz@gmail.com.

BRAG CRIME DECLINES: Speaking of crime, click here to see BRAG crime statistics for December 2020-February 2021. Incidents of theft from vehicles, theft of vehicles and assaults declined in February compared to the prior two months.

POLL: SNOWPLOWING GETS OVERALL HIGH MARKS

A couple weeks ago, our Constant Contact poll asked, “How would you grade our snowplowing efforts during our last snowstorm?” The results: 63 responses. The breakdown: A grade, 57.1% (36 respondents); B grade 28.6% (18); C grade 7.9% (5); D grade 4.8% (3); and F grade (1.6% (1).

The Board’s take: First off, let’s hope the snow is gone until next season! That said, it’s great to see that residents gave high marks overall for the snowstorm that dumped 7 to 9 inches in Indy last month. In fact, 85% of residents graded our efforts in the A or B range. But we know things weren’t perfect and that there’s always room for improvement. Our response time could have been quicker, a couple mailboxes were damaged, and several areas weren’t plowed close enough to the curb. In addition, several residents failed to move their cars off the street, complicating our snow removal efforts and creating hazardous obstacles for residents. In general, though, the majority of residents were cooperative, patient and understanding, and for that we thank you. Now, bring on spring!

In other news:

COVID VACCINE FOR AGE 50+: Gov. Eric Holcomb and the Indiana State Department of Health have lowered the age to get a COVID-19 vaccine to 50 years old. To find a vaccine location and register, click here. In addition, President Biden has authorized vaccinations to teachers and educators through federally recognized vaccine distribution centers Kroger, Meijer and Walmart. (Click store names for registration information.)

NORTH SHADELAND ALLIANCE E-NEWSLETTER: The North Shadeland Alliance advocates for the interests of residents and groups in the area surrounding North Shadeland Avenue between Fall Creek Road and East 82nd Street. The group offers a free e-newsletter with great features on new restaurants, development and business updates, community activities and more. To subscribe, go to https://northshadeland.com

On behalf of the Board,
Scott Thien, President