Social Activities & Garden Committees Forming

There are two new ways to become involved in your neighborhood.  Two new committees are forming, a Social Activities Committee and a Garden Committee. 

In the past, the neighborhood’s Social Activities Director worked with neighbors to plan activities like movie nights, hay rides, visits from Santa, etc. In the future, members of the Social Activities Committee will work to continue the events.

Spring has arrived.  It’s a perfect time for you to get involved with the Garden Committee.  You’ll enjoy working together to beautify Victor Gardens’ common spaces.  Please email Rachel Kirk, rkirk@moundsparkacademy.org   about your place on the Garden Committee. 

Savoy Pizza opens near Festival

Red’s Savoy Pizza has opened a new store across Frenchman Road in the shops near Festival Foods.   (651) 426-1355

New Liaisons Elected

Last night, at the Victor Gardens Annual Meeting, I was selected as your new Victor Gardens Single Family Association Liaison to the Victor Gardens Community Association Board of Directors.  Michelle Doble previously held this Liaison position.  Charles Kirk was re-elected as as the V.G. Gables Association (Townhomes) Liaison.  As planned, the transition of developer control to our homeowner's associations continues.  As part of this transition, the two Liaisons will now be voting members of Victor Gardens Community Association Board of Directors.

I'd like to express thanks to Michelle Doble, our previous Liaison, for all of her work to promote and improve our vibrant and welcoming neighborhood.  She's been an advocate for us on issues large and small.  Thanks Michelle! 

As your new Liaison, I'll do my best to keep you updated on Victor Gardens news and work with you to answer questions about our neighborhood. In addition to group emailings, I will maintain this website which will contain news relevant to V.G. Single Family Village homeowners. This site doesn't replace the "Victor Gardens Community Intranet" site.  It's really meant to supplement the Intranet site with more frequent, relevant information.  

Homeowners at the Annual Meeting raised questions on important issues.  I'll work to address these concerns with CPDC, Community Development, Inc. and the Board of Directors.  If you have anything you'd like to add to my list, please let me know.  

Mark mark@victorgardensnews.org

Other News and Questions from the Annual Meeting

During the Annual Meeting, Homer Tompkins updated residents on misc. V.G. news:

Retail Construction: 

1. •New retail building currently under construction on the South side of Frenchman Road, East of Victor Hugo Blvd.

2. •A new bank is also planned for the area on the South side of Frenchman Road, West of Victor Hugo Blvd.

Click here for a (very rough) retail construction map.

Residential Construction:

1. •In Victor Gardens East, 31 Ryland Single Family Homes are planned in addition to 29 Pratt Villas which are slated to be built on the Southern portion of the site.

2. •David Bernard will be building townhomes on the current site of the Land Office.  The Land Office is in the process of being removed and the site will be leveled to prepare for the new building.  The Garden area will remain in place.

Parks:

Responsibility for Park maintenance within Victor Gardens will be turned over to the City of Hugo.  The City has requested that the Homeowner’s Associations provide mowing for 1 additional year during the transition. 

Click here for Park Turnover Notes PDF.

Spring Neighborhood Walk-Through:

Mr. Tompkins suggested a walk through should be scheduled to address various issues.

During the Annual Meeting, many good questions were raised by residents.  In the weeks ahead I’ll update this site on the resolution of some of these issues.  I’ll begin working with Gina Higgins, our Community Manager with Community Development, Inc., Dave Hempel, from Contractor Property Developers Company (CPDC) and others.

QUESTIONS/DISCUSSIONS:

Here’s a brief list of some of the issues discussed at the meeting, and others that emerged afterward:

1. •Replacement of damaged tables stored at the Activity Center

2. •Need to update victorgardens.com website with current info.

3. •Need to update V.G. Community Intranet site with current info.

4. •Landscaping/mowing schedule on unsold lots & outlots.

5. •Tennis Court windscreen needs to be re-attached/repaired

6. •Suggestion of a Tennis Court sign prohibiting rollerblades, skateboards, and bicycles.  These items cause damage to the court’s surface.

7. •Repair needed for Tennis Court door latch.

8. •Suggestion of permanent “Children at Play”, and/or speed limit signs on a few key streets.  

9. •Adding a drinking fountain to Arbre Green Park.

10. •Repairing drinking fountain in Val Jean Park.

11. •Replacing Community Director with newly formed Activities Committee.  Committee Chairperson must be approved by Board of Directors to use budgeted funds.

12. •Review of snow removal methods & procedures

13. •Removal of tree-protecting tape and orange (snowplow guide) sticks.

14. •Review of holiday lighting contracts.

New Architectural Review Committee Liaison Elected

By a unanimous vote, Josh Berger was elected as the Victor Gardens Single Family Village Liaison to Victor Gardens Architectural Review Committee.  As part of the pending turn-over of architectural review responsibilities to the Homeowners Association, the A.R.C. has created this new position. The A.R.C. Liaison will be a non-voting member on the committee that oversees new home plans, landscaping, and improvements to existing structures and landscaping.

Annual Meeting Held

The Annual Meeting of the Victor Gardens Community Association and the V.G. Single Family Village was held on April 24, 207, at the Hugo City Hall.  

The Agenda Included:     • Election of Liaisons to the Board of Directors     • A Review of 2006-2007 Expenses     • A Review of April 1, 2007 - March 31, 2008 Budget     • Annual Report     • News updates from Homer Tompkins, CPDC.     • Questions from residents     • Election of a new Liaison to Victor Gardens Architectural Review Committee.