Pratt Homes Nears Completion of Home Near Val Jean Park

Pratt Homes' crews have been making good progress over the last few months and appear nearly finished building their newest home. From its corner lot, the new Craftsman style house has a great view of Val Jean Park.

Pratt Homes Gets Ready to Dig

Pratt Homes will be starting next week on it's newest home at the corner of Val Jean Blvd. and Victor Hugo Blvd.  The new home will be an attractive addition to the neighborhood.

Pratt Homes Approved to Build Near Val Jean Park

Last evening, Pratt Homes received approval from the Master ARC to build a new home at Victor Hugo Blvd. and Val Jean Blvd.  This new home will take advantage of its alley-garage location and corner prominence near Val Jean Park.

Pratt Homes to Build Another Single Family Home

Last night Victor Gardens Master ARC reviewed, discussed and approved plans for a new single family home near Arbre Park at 14295 Garden Way.  Pratt Homes submitted the plans and will build the home. The new home is not a model home.  It will be customized for its new owner and is expected to be completed within 3-4 months.

Parade of Homes in Hugo

There are a two Victor Gardens homes on this year's Parade of Homes.  

Pratt Homes

Pratt Homes is featuring this 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom rambler in the Creek Side Villas.

Rottlund Homes is featuring this multi-level, 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom condominium.

Rottlund Homes

Footbridge Complete, Trail Extended across Clearwater Creek

A small pedestrian bridge has been completed in Victor Gardens across Clearwater Creek between Pratt's Creekside Village Homes and the Single Family Village area near Grantaire Lane. The City of Hugo's trail system has also been somewhat extended on either side of the bridge.

Signs - City of Hugo and Pratt Homes address the sign problems

The City of Hugo is addressing the problem of numerous signs along Frenchman Road and throughout Hugo with a new Sign Ordinance.  Concerns over the aesthetics and driver safety were raised, and numerous Hugo residents have complained to City Hall.  These signs range from large neon-lettered "temporary" signs, to multiple directional signs to various neighborhoods and model homes.  The City of Hugo adopted a new sign ordinance last night that will affect the future display of these and other signs.

Rachel Simone, The City of Hugo's Associate Planner, offered an update this morning: "Attached is the sign ordinance that was approved by the City Council at their last nights meeting. Please be aware that additional contextual changes will be made per the City Attorney. I can send you the revisions when they are made. Please contact me with any questions thanks.

Rachel Simone

651-762-6304"

Click on the two links below for the text of the new Ordinance and more information:

New Sign Ordinance Link

Sign Definitions Link

On a related note - Len Pratt, of Pratt Homes agreed to remove Pratt Homes' directional signs advertising their nearby Fable Hill neighborhood. In the last year or so, these signs have been regularly placed throughout Victor Gardens property, in Val Jean Park, and Arbre Park.  Some residents objected to non-Victor Gardens neighborhoods being advertised on Victor Gardens property, and brought it to the attention of the Single Family and Master Boards.  

Non-Victor Gardens builders and non-Victor Gardens neighborhood signs installed on Victor Gardens property (especially along the front entrance) may be pulled out and recycled.

Master Board Meeting notes - May 12, 2008

The Victor Gardens Community Association (Master) Board of Directors met last night at City Hall.  It was the first meeting since the Master Board transferred from POA-Scherer/CPDC.   The new Board was able to get through a lot of business in the two hour meeting.  Another Board Meeting has been scheduled for June 6, 2008 to take up the topic of "New Business". Please see notes below for the topics discussed. Official minutes will be available at a later date. 

All Board Members attended, along with Chuck Schneider and Gina Lampe from Community Development, Inc.  About 25 residents also attended the meeting. 

1. The Board elected new officers: 

Dan Sjoquist, President

LaVonne Fitzgerald, Vice President

Carmen Carter, Secretary

Michael Noonan, Member at Large

Len Pratt, Member at Large

2.  Resident Forum:

The Board was given a list of issues that were compiled by Mike Bailey and Mark Vlker.  The list should help the Board understand concerns of the residents.   Many of the items were already known by the Board, and some were scheduled as new business items.  These items will likely be addressed at Board Meetings in the near future.  

Dawn Primeau asked the Board to address the unfinished developer projects near her home.  

Julie Bixby asked the Board to consider a small amount for VG's Social Committee's events.  After Mrs. Bixby's request, Michael Noonan, of Rottlund/David Bernard Homes, and Len Pratt of Pratt Homes offered donations of $500.00 each to be used for this year's Social Events budget.  The funds will be controlled by the VGCA Master Association for that purpose.  The Social Committee's new $1000.00 budget will go a long way in keeping the tradition community activities for all Victor Gardens residents.  Residents appreciate this generous donation from Pratt Homes and Rottlund Homes/David Bernard Homes.  

Residents also asked the Board to clarify the status of the Pool opening this year.  Later in the meeting the board approved a Pool and Activity Maintenance contract.  The Pool is expected to open Memorial Day weekend.

3.  The Board was provided books of VGCA documents, including financials, rules, and other information.

4. The Board reviewed financial statements, discussed outstanding debts, and worked towards solving those problems.  Chuck Schneider, of Community Development Inc. clarified the water bill situation.

5. The Board asked residents to form a Grounds Committee.  This committee will establish maintenance contract specifications and report problems, in addition to other things. Residents interested in volunteering again this year for the Grounds Committee are encouraged to contact Mike Bailey and Mark Vlker.

6. The Board accepted a contract for a new Pool maintenance provider.

7. The Board discussed insurance.

8.  Community Development Inc. resigned as Victor Gardens Community Association's management company.  A search for a new management company is underway.  Community Development Inc. agreed to stay on a few months, and promised to provide a smooth transition to a new company.

9.  New Business was scheduled for the next Master Board Meeting, June 2, 2008.  (Corrected) An agenda will be released then it is provided by the Board or our Community Development, Inc.

10. Meeting was adjourned

Road Improvement Project

At a recent Hugo City Council Meeting, the Council considered Everton Ave. road improvements north of Frenchman Road (Co. Rd. 8).  Pratt Homes petitioned the city council for an improved road, which would connect a proposed church, clinic, and Victor Gardens North Village. 

 The Citizen, Hugo's official newspaper has the full details.  "The stretch of Everton being considered for improvements is about 700 feet in length, and would extend north from County Road 8 to a point where Rosemary Way would connect the townhome development behind Festival Foods to Everton Avenue."   -source:  The Citizen, Council to Consider Everton Improvement Project, by Aaron Rupar,  April 30, 2008.

Board Advisory Group Requests City-Hosted Meeting

Following last night’s Board Advisory Group meeting, the following letter was sent to Bryan Bear, the City of Hugo’s Community Development Director. 

To:

Bryan Bear

Community Development Director

City of Hugo

14669 Fitzgerald Ave, N.

Hugo MN  55038

Dear Bryan,

Our neighborhood's homeowner-led Board Advisory Group met last night to discuss some of what's been happening in Victor Gardens recently.  The meeting's participants resolved to request that the City of Hugo mediate issues between homeowners, builders, developers and our Board of Directors.

Homeowner representatives of Victor Gardens Board Advisory Group requests that The City of Hugo host a public meeting of Victor Gardens homeowners, Victor Gardens Board members, and other decision makers to discuss the future of our neighborhood.  The focus of this meeting should be working towards resolving Victor Gardens budget issues and ensuring high architectural standards in future building.  Although it is difficult for our Group to determine exactly who all those decision makers are, they certainly include:

1. Homer Tompkins of CPDC

2. Pete Scherer of POA-Scherer

3. Len Pratt of POA-Scherer and Pratt Homes

4. Rottland Homes/David Bernard Builders

5. Ryland Homes

6. The Beard Group

Other important meeting participants should include:

1. Mayor Fran Miron

2. Council Person Becky Petryk

3. Community Development Director Bryan Bear

4. Hugo's City Attorney

5. Chuck Schneider of Community Development Inc. (VG's master association management company), 

6. Homeowners and their representatives on the Board Advisory Group.

Homeowners, through their Board Advisory Group have determined two priorities that must be addressed at this meeting.  

1. 1. Victor Gardens budget problems  

2. 2. Ensuring high architectural and landscape standards in future Victor Gardens building.

It has been reported that The Beard Group (Victor Gardens newest proposed landowner), will be closing on 26 VG lots in the near future. It is important that homeowners are informed about Beard Group's intentions as soon as possible. A meeting will serve this purpose, in addition to addressing the two significant homeowner concerns stated previously.

We would appreciate your thoughts on this idea.  The Board Advisory Group felt that the City of Hugo's invitation would likely lead to a productive results for everyone involved.  Homeowners would be happy to offer more background information on these issues before the proposed meeting.  Members of the Group could make themselves available to discuss the situation with you.

Respectfully, 

Mark Vlker

Single Family Village Liaison to Victor Gardens' Board of Directors

Member of the Board Advisory Group

CC: Residents of Victor Gardens via open letter on http://victorgardensnews.org website

Remaining Lots in the Single Family Village

The Board Advisory Group is asking questions about the new owner of remaining of VG East lots in the Single Family Village.  I have not been provided answers to most of those questions, but in an attempt to clarify things - I compiled the following map of remaining Victor Gardens East Single Family Village.  The map includes remaining CPDC, Ryland Homes & Pratt owned lots.  I believe it to be correct based upon the information that I’ve been given.  The map may not be 100% accurate, but it’s pretty close.  Also, it’s uncertain whether the areas near the wetlands (colored in aqua) will be owned by the new owner, or someone else.  

 To download a clearer version of the map, please click here.

CPDC & Pratt’s other neighborhoods

This might be of interest to some of you who are not familiar with CPDC’s or Pratt’s other residential developments.

Mayo Woodlands, Rochester, MN

Hidden Springs, Two Harbors, MN

Harmony Village, Rosemount, MN 

Inspiration, Bayport, MN

Towne Lakes, Albertville, MN

Liberty on the Lake, Stillwater, MN

List of Pratt neighborhoods

National Night Out - Thanks to Everyone

Thanks to members of Victor Gardens Social Committee for organizing a great National Night Out and giving prizes to the neighborhood’s kids.  Thanks also to the Washington County Sheriff and Hugo’s own Fire Department for spending time with neighbors, showing off their vehicles and equipment.  Pratt Homes, Harman Homes, American Classic Homes also deserve thanks for their generous financial donations to support the event.

Measuring Progress Towards Victor Gardens’ Completion

In order to find out how far along the Community Association is moving towards homeowner control, it’s important to find out what the total numbers are.  The following are responses to questions I asked Dave Hempel, of CPDC on July 23 about the number of properties sold and built. He responded immediately and clarified a few key topics.  He also has shared P.U.D. (Planned Unit Development) Overall Unit Counts.  It helps to describe part of the process towards a fully built-out Victor Gardens.

Below are questions I asked (MV), and Mr. Hempel (DH) responded:

MV Question: According to your email last week, Currently there are 68 sold out of a total of 195. Neither number seems accurate?

DH Answer: The 68 was used at time of preparing the budget by Gina Higgins. She will add a sales project number, we give her typically, to project future lot sales to arrive at an average number of lots paying dues for the current year's budget forecast.  The 195 is number of final platted recorded lots.  This number again will change as the number of lots are final platted. Please see PUD unit count attached. 

MV Question: The plan appears to show 116 Single Family Village lots drawn in: Victor Gardens 1st Addition and Victor Gardens East- Phases 1, 2 & 3. Roughly 71 of those lots are currently built or under construction. 

DH Answer: VG 1st has 80 single family lots, 41 traditional and 39 cottage lots recorded with 64 lots built upon or under construction.

 

MV Question: The plan appears to show 31 Single Family Village lots in: Victor Gardens East - 2nd Addition (The Ryland Homes area). Roughly 4 of those are currently built or under construction.  

DH Answer: VG East has 33 traditional lots with 7 lots built upon or under construction.  VG East 2nd - Ryland/Pratt neighborhood has 60 single family lots, 31 traditional lots (Ryland closed on 15 lots with option for remaining lots) and 29 cottage lots (Pratt Villas) with 7 lots built upon or under construction for a total of 78 single family lots built upon out of 173 platted single family lots.

MV Question: The plan also shows 31 Single Family Village lots listed in Future Phase. Nine of those lots are currently drawn on land the Developer doesn’t own.  

DH Answer: The overall plan depicts how in the future the streets may loop thru the area (typical requirement of city) to show that lots have access and that we provide street access to adjacent parcel for continuity.  The nine lots shown outside the boundary of VG are not included in any unit count in the budget.

MV Question: It appears that there are 178 lots drawn in the most current site plan, although you have said that the number is 195. 75 lots are currently built or under construction, Your number is 68.

DH Answer: The plan totals 176 platted lots and 22 future lots to be platted to arrive at 198 single family lots overall.

MV Question: Where are the additional 17 lots (give or take a few) that your number reflects?   

DH Answer: Please see the updated PUD Unit counts (see below)

MV Question: Are builders model homes assessed the same dues as the rest of the homes? 

DH Answer: Yes  

MV: Are they included in your numbers?  

DH: Yes, except that the HOA budget has a unit number lower which at the time of preparing may of been accurate. 

MV Question: Is it true that Ryland Homes has closed on 15 of its 31 lots? 

DH Answer: Yes

MV: Are those included in your number?  

DH: I've asked Gina to verify we’re billing them 

MV Question: If the Developer does not own all the land for Future Phase (currently owned by someone else) why (or how) can it be counted towards the total?  

DH Answer:  We own all the lots shown within the boundary shown as VG. The area outside the boundary is only an illustration the city typically requires to show how the street maybe aligned in the future.

MV Question:  Is there a VG 5th Addition?  

DH Answer: The 5th addition is the old land office site which is preliminary platted into the 7 town home lots.  Previously, VG East was called 5th Addition there may lie some confusion.  

MV Question:  What’s the difference between “Traditional” and “Cottage” Single Family lots? 

DH Answer:  Yes, there are two single family lot designations, one is "traditional" which has a larger lot size and different lot setbacks.  The other is "cottage" lots which are typically smaller lots in size and have reduced setback than traditional lots.  

Victor Gardens Planned Unit Development (PUD) Overall Unit Counts - updated 7-23-07

City Approved Conceptual PUD Unit Counts  (without Crain/VG 4th)                    

Traditional Single Family                 120                                      

Cottages Single Family                   83                                      

Two Family dwellings                               26                                      

Attached Town homes                 280                                     

Apartments                 117

Commercial/Institutional                  185,000 sq. ft.

Units above retail                  44                  

Total Residential Units                         670

Total Commercial/Institutional    185,000 sq. ft.

Breakdown of Existing/Platted - Development Unit Counts, including Crain/VG 4th:

- Victor Gardens 1st Addition-

Traditional Single Family Lots                 41 units

Cottage Single Family Lots                      39 units

- Victor Gardens 2nd Addition-

Attached Town homes                  70 units

- Victor Gardens 3rd Addition-

Attached Town homes                  99 units

- Victor Gardens 4th - Crain Parcel - 

Attached Town homes                              92 units

Comm/Institutional                            27,000 sq.ft. *

- Victor Gardens 6th- 

Traditional Single Family Lots                 31 units

Cottage Single family Lots                       29 units

- Victor Gardens East Addition-

Traditional Single Family Lots                 33 units

- Victor Gardens South Retail Village-

Attached Town homes                              14 units

Retail/General Business (C/I)             56,000 sq. ft.

- Victor Gardens North Retail Village -

Attached town Homes                             186 units

Comm/Institutional approved.

-East Retail - Grocery 54,900, Retail 15,000 

-West Retail - Kwik Trip 8,090 

Total Commercial approved to date – 77,990 s.f. 

Balance of Remaining Areas/units to be developed in Victor Gardens

- Victor Gardens 4th - Crain Parcel - 

Comm/Institutional                                  27,000 sq.ft. *

- Victor Gardens 5th/Sales Office site – (Prel. platted)

Attached Town homes                               7 units

- Victor Gardens East 3rd Addition – Prel. Platted)

Single family traditional lots                     3 lots

- Victor Gardens North – future

East Retail - future 2 pad sites @ 4,000 each*)  8,000 sq.ft.

West Retail - (Postal Credit union 5,000, 1 pad site 5,000* ) 10,000 sq. ft.

* Concept only - no site plan approval

- Future Residential (south end of site)

Traditional Single Family                  22 units

Cottage Single Family                               0  units

Summary

PUD Unit Counts            City Approved Conceptual       Platted          Future Plats        Total         

Traditional Single Family                 120                                   105                    25                  130

Cottages Single Family            83                                    68                       0                    68

Two Family dwellings                       26                                       0                       0                      0  

Attached Town homes                      280                                   468                      0                  468

Apartments          117                                      0                       0                      0

Commercial/Institutional             185,000 sq. ft.                   133,990              45,000         178,990

Units above retail           44                                       0                        0                     0

Total Residential Units                  670   641                     25                 666

Total Commercial/Institutional  185,000 sq. ft.133,990              45,000        178,990

Proposed/Platted units/lots within Victor Gardens (including Crane parcel) = 666

Number of Units Approved by PUD = 670

Difference than PUD approval.   <-4>

Net Result - 4 units less than PUD approval for all of Victor Gardens. 

Comm/Institutional sq.ft. proposed at 178,990 sq. ft. vs. 185,000 sq. ft. concept approved.

Net result – 6,010 sq. ft. less than Concept PUD approval. 

Note: final development plans may reduce or increase the number of lots and/or square footage in the future commercial areas.