FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – Some 22,000 people live in the city’s proposed annexation area, and many aren’t happy with the proposal. That group includes homeowner, Jeff Fuze.

15 years ago, Fuze and his family wanted to get away from the city life. Looking for something more quiet and secluded, they found a 40-acre property off Popp Road and have called it home ever since.

“I wanted to move out of the city and be able to do what I wanted to do, so to speak,” Fuze said.

His property at 7522 Popp Road is a piece of country turned private paradise. There’s a pond for fishing and swimming and a river that winds through the backyard. Both border the stands and fields Fuze uses to hunt right on his own property

“That’s a big part of my life. I really enjoy target shooting, and I really enjoy hunting. It’s my passion,” Fuze said.

It’s a passion that could be punished if the city gets its way.

“This is the kind of thing the city wants to stop. I mean, literally, this would be illegal,” Fuze said. “This is 40 acres of rural country and they’re going to enforce city ordinances here. It just doesn’t make sense.”

When Fuze first bought the land, he never dreamed annexing would be possible for his property.

“The city had annexed portions up to 469 after we moved here, but I had no idea they would come out this far. There are a lot of rural properties out here with people raising livestock. It just doesn’t make sense,” Fuze said.

He understands wanting to take over the subdivisions, but can’t get behind including properties like his that don’t get city utilities.

“In my mind, this is really underhanded politics by the city. It’s government overreach. They want to take over this whole area and bring the city ordinances really in to a country environment. That’s not fair, and we’re going to fight it,” Fuze said. “In all actuality, what does the city bring to the table for someone like me? I receive no city sewer, no city water. So, in fact, what do I gain? I don’t gain anything and yet I have more of my rights taken away from the standpoint of city ordinances.”

Plans to remodel his house and add livestock to the property are both now on hold. An appointment he made with a contractor had to cancelled and instead switched out for one with a realtor.

“It is a lifestyle. It’s part of my life, and if the city annexes this area, I can’t see staying here,” Fuze said. “Worst case scenario, I think we move. It affects my lifestyle that much that I enjoy hunting, developing the land for wildlife, conserving wildlife, shooting rifles, target shooting. I really can’t see me staying here if those ordinances are enforced out here in the country.”

It’s a move Fuze will do everything in his power not to make.

“We’re looking at what the Indiana state laws are right now. We’re looking at how many people we have to have on a petition to take this further. We’re going to get a petition together. I’ve already spoken with a lawyer. We’re going to fight it, and I’m not going to give up easy,” Fuze said.

If the annexation is approved, it would go into effect January 1st.