Centex Drops Effort to Build in Victor Gardens

According to the City of Hugo, as reported to me by a resident yesterday, Centex is dropping plans to build new homes within Victor Gardens Single Family Village. The merger of Centex with "The Nation's Largest New Home Builder", Pulte Homes, was cited as the reason for Centex's change of plans. Further research confirmed that Victor Gardens was removed from Centex's website.

Master ARC Meeting Minutes - October 22

The Master ARC met on October 22. June Fulton generously volunteered to take the meeting's minutes. They can be found on the Master Association's page, along with other Master documents, financials, minutes, and contact information. You may also view/download the meeting's minutes by clicking on this link: http://www.victorgardensnews.org/files/minutes/vgca_arc_minutes_10_22_09.pdf

Mark Youngdahl's Opinion of Centex's Home Plans

For those who have asked to see it, I have shared my copy of the Centex plans for new homes in Victor Gardens' Single Family Village. A few weeks ago, after seeing my copy of Centex's second ARC submission, Josh Berger asked Mark Youngdahl to provide his opinion of the plans. Mr. Youngdahl's firm, Senn & Youngdahl, is one of the founding builders in Victor Gardens' Single Family Village.

During last night's SFV Board/ARC meeting, Josh provided copies of Mr. Youngdahl's written opinion report to the Board/ARC members. The document was placed into the meeting record.

You can view/download copies of the opinion letter by following this link: Youngdahl opinion letter

Concept Plans of Future Centex Homes Reviewed by ARC

The Victor Gardens Community Association's Architectural Review Committee (ARC) met last Wednesday with architect Tim Whitten, representatives from Centex Homes and Neighborhood Development Partners. The group met for a review of submitted concept plans for future homes proposed to be built on NDP's lots in VG's Single Family Village. Centex submitted a total of 10 variations of 4 named plans, including elevations, color plans, and landscape plans. Mr. Whitten and Centex modified existing Centex plans to make them more suitable for the Single Family Village. The ARC commented and made suggestions on the plans, including importance of 4-sided architecture and landscaping, avoiding monotonous elevations, using cement fiberboard, etc. Centex was receptive to the comments and will submit revised plans for the next stage of ARC review. They plan to build one model home to begin with near the corner of Grantaire Ln. and Val Jean Blvd.

Centex to Build New Homes in Hugo, MN's Victor Gardens Single Family Village Neighborhood

Victor Gardens Master Board was informed last week of Neighborhood Development Partners LLC sale of lots to Centex, expected to be merging soon with Pulte and becoming America's largest builder.

From my understanding of what I've read, Neighborhood Development Partners has hired an architectural firm, Whitten & Associates, to assist Centex in modifying its plans to conform to their view of an appropriate new home in Victor Gardens Single Family Village. Whitten & Associates has written a letter regarding this to the Victor Gardens Master Board which I believe should be shared with residents (please follow this link).