Groundwater Flooding & Sump Pump Issues - Follow Up

Dear Single Family Village Residents,

Last year, Traci Tapani (a Victor Gardens resident) conducted an informal study of homeowners determining how many properties experienced groundwater flooding issues.  These problems included basement flooding, continuous sump pump operation, slippery sidewalks (because of sump discharge), etc.

At our Single Family Village's Annual Association Meeting last April, Bryan Bear, (the City of  Hugo's Development Director) met with residents and explained that the City and the Rice Creek Watershed District were willing to research the groundwater-related problems further, then report back to residents. 

Today, Mr. Bear followed up with me on the progress of a groundwater study conducted by a watershed engineering firm, Houston Engineering.  They've been working with the City of Hugo and the Rice Creek Watershed District to study what the problems were, and how they might be fixed. 

Mr. Bear asked me to enlist the participation of a few residents/owners to discuss the issue further with the City.  Please email me (mark@victorgardensnews.org) ASAP if you are interested. 

Normally, I would suggest discussing this at a scheduled Board Meeting, but I believe the City would like to know the level of resident/owner interest by early next week.  The Mayor and City Council will be discussing this preliminarily on Tuesday's City Council Meeting.  Please see Mr. Bear's email below.  

I'd like to get back to Mr. Bear on Monday of owners/residents who would like to be included in a proposed upcoming meeting with the City.  

I have included below a copy of the email that I received from Bryan Bear today.  You can view/download/print a copy of the Engineer's Memo provided to me at the following link on our website:  http://www.victorgardensnews.org/files/groundwater/houston_memo_10_08.pdf

I look forward to receiving emails from interested residents as soon as possible.  Thanks!

-Mark Vlker

mark@victorgardensnews.org

On Feb 13, 2009, at 10:13 AM, Bryan Bear wrote:

Mark –

 

Take a look at this report from the Rice Creek Watershed District.  The City and RCWD have been working on this issue.  We believe that we have preliminary support from RCWD to grant up to $50,000 toward this project.  The Hugo City Council will discuss this topic at their meeting on Tuesday night.  The Council may also choose to commit some funds toward this project.  I’m expecting that the Council will then schedule a meeting with whatever key residents the HOA believes should be involved in this discussion and whether there is continuing interest from residents in pursuing this further….

 

If you wouldn’t mind – could you please pass this information on? 

 

I know there will be lots of questions about this.  We won’t be able to answer them on Tuesday night, but we will invite the right people to the follow-up meeting for detailed discussion.  The report is only a recommendation from the watershed engineer.  No decisions have been made by the City or RCWD to construct the project.  We expect that decision will be made by the residents. 

 

I can be reached at 651-762-6320 if you need anything…

 

Bryan Bear

Community Development Director

City of Hugo

Single Family Village Pet Rules Have Changed

As you may know, the Single Family Village Board spent a lot of time last year listening to resident comments regarding Pet Rules.  Opinions were shared on many sides of the issue.   After careful review the Board decided to modify some of the Pet Rules. Some have been aligned with the City of Hugo’s recently changed Animal Ordinance.  

A few of the new Rules include: Pets must be leashed off owners property, pets are permitted to be on another owner’s property only if expressly agreed to by both owners, invisible fences (and similar) are allowed, pet owners are responsible for damage to Association property, etc. Violation of the Pet Rules should be reported to Community Manager Casey Groff at (763) 225-6498 or via email cgroff@developcommunity.com 

View/ download the entire new SFV Pet Policy

View/download the Fining Policy

The Board of Directors

Victor Gardens Single Family Village Homeowners Association

Master Board Meeting set for Feb. 16

The next Master Association Board of Directors Meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 16, 2009 at 6:00PM Rice Lake Centre - 6900 137th St. North, Hugo MN  55038 - map Agenda not yet available

Architectural and Landscape Improvements Require ARC Review

With spring only a few months away you may be thinking of making some alterations or improvements to the exterior of your home or perhaps your yard.  If you plan on doing so, please submit the required Architectural and Landscape Change Application, as defined by the Covenants, to the Single Family Village Architectural Review Committee (ARC) for consideration.

 

Following the Developer’s turnover of our Homeowner’s Associations last year, residents may be unsure about the status of our architectural and landscaping rules.  The Single Family Village Board takes its responsibility to uphold established high standards very seriously. Our Covenants, architectural and landscape guidelines are still in effect.  The Board will continue to work closely with the ARC to maintain standards and enforce established rules.

 

Please keep in mind as members of a Homeowners Association we all agreed to abide by the same architectural & landscaping guidelines.  These guidelines benefit everyone in the Association because they help preserve and increase the value of our homes as well as increasing the aesthetic quality of our neighborhood.

 

The Board has established, with the help of the ARC, a list of items that require submission of Architectural and Landscape Change Applications and subsequent approval by the ARC prior to any work being done. The list is not comprehensive, but it clarifies what types of projects need to be submitted for ARC approval.  

Architecture:

Simple routine maintenance restoring your home to its formerly ARC approved state does not require a new application. A new application and review process is required for changes of:

Exterior paint color	Siding materials
Shingles	Fencing
Outdoor lighting (non-holiday)	Home additions
Outbuildings	Garden Structures
Arbors	Pergolas
Trellises	Gutters
Decks	Whirlpools
Spas	Hot tubs
Permanent/ semi-permanent  private pools*	Permanent/ semi-permanent  swing sets & play equipment*
Permanent/ semi-permanent trampolines*	Permanent/ semi-permanent basketball hoops*

* For the purposes of this list “permanent/ semi-permanent” means in place for more than one day.  Certain play equipment may be used temporarily, meaning one day or less, but not left in place overnight.

 

Landscaping, Hardscaping, Trees, Shrubs, and Perennials:

The application is not required for:

Routine landscape or  hardscape maintenance	Annual plants  in existing ARC approved beds
Replacing dead shrubs and trees  with similar species in existing ARC approved beds	Perennial plants  in existing ARC approved beds
Asphalt seal coating and  driveway maintenance	Bulbs planted  in existing ARC approved beds

 

The application is required for substantially altering your home’s ARC approved landscape plan or construction of new or significant changes to existing ARC approved:

Landscaping beds	Hedges
Driveways	Sidewalks
Paths	Retaining walls

If you are uncertain whether your project needs approval, or if you have any questions at about the required process please contact our Community Manager, Casey Groff at (763) 225-6498 or via email cgroff@developcommunity.com 

 

An Architectural and Landscape Change Application is available for download.  Please click here for the most recent copy.  If you are planning to make the type of improvements requiring applications, please fill out the Application completely and follow the directions for submittal and consideration by the ARC.

Thank you,

The Board of Directors

Victor Gardens Single Family Village Homeowners Association

Please Remove Your Storm Contractor Signs

Many months have passed since last May's tornado and hail storm. The Board asks homeowners to remove their storm-related contractor signs, and reminds homeowners of Section 7 in the Covenants. Please remove all signs advertising contractors, renovators, roofers, etc.  

The Board of Directors

Victor Gardens Single Family Village Homeowners Association