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

New Board Members Elected

Following the announced application process and subsequent discussion - the Single Family Village Board elected Julie Bixby to fill the vacancy following Dan Sjoquist's resignation.  Julie continues to be an active volunteer in our neighborhood.  She has Chaired the Social Committee for the last two years, and is very knowledgeable on the issues that the SFV Board and the Master Board are currently working on.  The Board welcomes Julie and looks forward to working with her.

The Single Family Village Board also elected Michael Warner as its representative to the Master Board.  According to the Bylaws, the SFV is entitled to two representatives.  Mark Vlker also currently represents the SFV on the Master Board.  Michael's transition to the Master Board should be very smooth, since he's knowledgeable of  many of the Master Board's issues already.  He's been a very active volunteer in our the SFV and currently serves as our Association's President.  Master Board members have welcomed Michael, and look forward to including him in Board discussions and Master ARC decisions.

More SFV business was discussed at last night's Board meeting.  Full minutes will be posted on our SFV Association's page in a few days when they become available. 

SFV Board Meeting set for Jan. 27, 6:00PM

The next meeting of the Single Family Village Board will be held: 

Tuesday, January 27

6:00PM at Victor Gardens Neighborhood Activity Center

Agenda available on the Single Family Village Association page

Also: Community Development Inc. and the Master Board will be correcting an error related to Victor Gardens (Master) Bylaws Section 6.1.1.1.  The Bylaws provide for an additional Single Family Village representative on the Master Board due to the population of SFV.  This representative will be chosen at the upcoming Board meeting.

Ryland Homes Requests Amendment to Previous ARC Approval

A few residents have asked Casey Groff and myself about one item in particular on the next master Board agenda.  "Ryland Homes Request for Amendment to Guidelines" I will try to offer a little more background info on this topic.

Ryland Homes requested the Master Architectural Review Committee (ARC) make an amendment to their "blanket architectural approval which limits Type A homes (garage forward) to a maximum of ten lots".  Ryland Homes has requested the amendment due to "current market conditions".  

The Master ARC has the authority to review, approve or reject plans for new buildings.  The blanket ARC approval that Ryland Homes refers to pre-dates our transitioned Master Association.  Victor Gardens developer, CPDC had granted this "blanket approval" in 2006 to specific styles of homes, (Caldwell, Rutherford, and Holmdel) and restricted the number of those homes to ten.

The Master Board, acting as Master ARC, will discuss Ryland Homes' request at the next Master Board meeting on Wednesday,  January 7, 2009.  Residents interested in related historical context can find more information available on the Single Family Village Association page on this website, including early concept drawings of the above-mentioned model homes.  Residents may share their opinions on this or any other issue during the "Resident Forum" held at the beginning of each Board meeting.  

For the full agenda, please follow this link:  http://www.victorgardensnews.org/files/agendas/vgca_agenda_jan09.pdf

Master Board Meeting set for Jan.7

The next meeting of the Victor Gardens Master Board will be held on

Wednesday, Jan. 7, 6:00PM at Hugo City Hall

Some agenda items include:

FTTH Update 

Architectural Review Committee 

i) Process  ii) Pratt Homes Submission  iii) Ryland Homes Request for Amendment to Guidelines 

Fire Ring in Outlot Across from Val Jean Park 

Execution of Management Agreement  

Storm Damage Update 

Color of Gazebos in Ryland & Pratt Homes Cul-de-sacs 

Status of Maintenance Contracts 

Update from the Beard Group & Glen Bergman regarding lots 

A full agenda is available for download here:  http://www.victorgardensnews.org/files/agendas/vgca_agenda_jan09.pdf

SFV Board Vacancy - Requesting Candidates

As a result of Dan Sjoquist's resignation from the Single Family Village Board, and according to the Bylaws, the remaining Board Directors chose Mark Vlker as the new SFV representative to the Master Board.  The SFV Board also began the process of choosing another resident to fill the SFV Board vacancy.

Homeowners interested in serving on the Single Family Village Board are asked to submit a brief written statement for the current SFV Board to consider.  The Board will then discuss the candidates, and vote by secret ballot.

Please see below for candidate information including deadlines and related timeline:

• December 29: Casey Groff, Victor Gardens’ Community Manager, begins accepting candidate statements.  These should include candidate’s qualifications, interests, and goals related to the Board position.
• January 14:  Deadline for submitting candidate statements.
• January 15:  Ms. Groff will provide the statements to the Board.
• Week of Jan. 19: Board to discuss candidates.
• Before Jan. 21:  Board members send secret vote to Ms. Groff.
• Before Jan. 22: New Board Director will be announced.

Contact Casey Groff:

By email: cgroff@developcommunity.com

7100 Madison Avenue West,  Golden Valley, MN 55427

(763) 225-6400 Phone

Thanks to Dan Sjoquist!

This week Dan Sjoquist resigned as a Director on Victor Gardens Single Family Village Homeowner Association’s Board. He decided to step down for personal reasons.

 

Dan has been a valuable partner in the leadership of two of our neighborhood associations.  During the last year, he helped steer our Single Family and Master Associations through a complex transition from Victor Garden's developer.  His volunteer commitment began long before he was elected to the Board last April. His continuing expertise helped build a stronger financial future for Victor Gardens. 

 

Thanks to Dan for his leadership and dedication. We wish him all the best, and thank him for his work on behalf of residents.

-Mark

SFV Board Meeting Minutes Available

The minutes for the Single Family Village's December 16 Board Meeting are available for download.  This site's SFV Association page contains past meeting minutes, financials, and contact information.