New SFV Architectural & Landscape Change Application Form & Guide

Spring is around the corner!  
This is the time of year that many begin thinking of making alterations/improvements to their home's exterior or yard. If you plan on doing so, please familiarize yourself with the newly updated SFV ARC page.  It contains helpful planning information and lists exactly what's required in your submission. It also contains the names of contractors who have experience designing and building in our neighborhood. 

An improved Architectural & Landscape Change Application is also now available. Residents who complete the form and submit all of the required elements via email can expect to hear back from the ARC within two weeks.  Incomplete proposals- like those that aren't clearly described, don't contain the required photos, drawings, surveys, color info. etc, will be returned.

• SFV ARC page  NEW! 
• Guide to Submitting Architectural & Landscape Change Applications  NEW!
• Architectural & Landscape Change Application Form  NEW!

Social Committee Meeting - March 13

Do you enjoy our neighborhood events? Do you have great ideas for new events? Are you willing to volunteer? The social committee is meeting on Wed, March 13th at 7:30pm at the Activity Center/ Pool house. Please join us to hear our plans, sign up to help out at an event or two this year or just come and share your ideas! We'd love to have as many people there as possible to make sure we are spending the funding as wisely as possible, making sure to offer events for all of our Victor Garden's residents!

Just a note about the social committee... the time commitment is minimal. We meet 2 or 3 times per year to plan and organize events. We would love to see you volunteer at an event or even plan one! If you can't attend but have ideas or would like to volunteer please contact Lisa at john3995@umn.edu

Your Input Needed: Long-range Planning Committee Survey

The Victor Gardens long-range planning committee has been asked by the Master Association Board to provide a recommendation for a long-range capital improvement plan for the community.

Please respond to this short survey so your opinions and/or ideas may be heard. To ensure everyone has an opportunity to respond, you may receive this survey two times. It is being sent electronically to everyone who has an email on record. It is also being sent by mail to all homeowners of record. For ease of tabulation it is preferred that you respond electronically. For those who prefer to respond with the paper copy, directions for returning the survey are at the end of the survey. Two responses per household are allowed so both individuals in a household may respond, if they so choose.

The survey will remain open until March 15, 2013.

Thank you in advance for your input!

Dawn LaFontsee, Chairperson

Access the survey using this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VRZRSSZ

Please note: This survey will be used for planning purposes only and no changes or improvements are guaranteed.

Local Business Profile: Tawshi El Salon

14755 Victor Hugo Blvd. North

A New Upscale Salon in Victor Gardens

When you walk in our door you'll know you're in a salon you've never been before. Our twinkling chandlers will welcome you, our AVEDA aroma, along with relaxing music creates a calm space for you to unwind. 

Master stylist and owner Shawn Whitehurst has hand picked her talented team of stylists' to provide you with the look you've always wanted.

She brings with her a loyal clientele including a client who became her investor. Together they share the value of having their salon in beautiful Victor Garden's. A new and growing community where residents and main street come together. We are honored to be a part this.

At Tawshi El Salon we are dedicated to high customer satisfaction by providing excellent service, quality products, and an enjoyable experience at an acceptable price. 

Tawshi El website

Call for your appointment 651-426-0388

A special treat is waiting for you. Mention this blog post and receive a complimentary eyebrow wax with any service!

Disclosure Statement

Tamarack Nature Center Announces Spring & Summer Camp Schedule

Information on our spring activities and summer day camps is now available online! February may have been a snowy month, but we’re already prepping for the warmer days ahead at Tamarack Nature Center. Online and in-person registration is currently open for our spring programs, and registration for summer day camps begins March 5 at 9 a.m. For additional details on any of our programs, visit our website or give us a call at 651-407-5350. We hope to see you soon! 

http://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/MNRAMSEY-6d9b7b

Sunday Star Tribune Feature Story

There's a feature story in today's Sunday Star Tribune about Victor Gardens, The Nest's model home, and Josh & Rachel Berger.

Star Tribune story

The Nest

$35 Per Tree Pruning Offer From Goetz Landscape

Hello residents, I'm following up with you today on a conversation that started late last summer.  The City of Hugo asked me to communicate with our residents about the condition of our boulevard trees.  They need to be pruned. The City eventually wants to see a 12 to 15 foot clearance under each of Victor Gardens' boulevard trees.  This will likely be an ongoing, multi-year tree pruning effort. Since our boulevard trees are owned by each of us individually and not by the association, residents may hire a professional to perform this service or do it themselves. I posted an article regarding this on our website a few months ago.  Click here for the full story. A number of you already expressed interest in an pruning offer from Goetz.  Here it is:

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PRUNING OFFER FROM GOETZ LANDSCAPE:

Goetz Landscape has been contracted by the Master Association of Victor Gardens to prune the Blvd. trees on all areas owned and maintained by the Association.  In doing so, Goetz Landscape would like to offer a discounted pruning price to single family residence to be done in coordination with Master Association Pruning.  Listed below is some information about the tree pruning project that was listed on the VG website.

Q: Why do my boulevard trees need to be pruned?
Pruning provides clearance for buses, garbage trucks, street sweepers, moving vans and other large curbside vehicles that can damage, or be damaged by, low branching. Pruning provides overhead clearance for pedestrians, and also facilitates visibility of traffic signs and allows motorists a clear view of intersections and driveways.  Some varieties of trees also cast a dense shadow. Trimming them allows sunlight to penetrate lawn and shrub areas. In some cases, removing lower branches will eventually increases nighttime security because streetlights can bathe a broader area.

Q: How high up do my boulevard trees need to be pruned?
Branches on trees in the boulevard are generally pruned to provide more clearance than trees in parks, golf courses or on private property. The City of Hugo is asking that we prune our boulevard trees so that there is a 12 to 15 foot clearance to the ground. (Many smaller trees cannot be pruned this high yet, so instead will get pruned to what is proportioned to the tree)  This provides enough clearance and will develop the attractive tree lined street canopy envisioned by the original development plan.

Q: Why should seemingly healthy lower limbs be removed?
Lower limbs that will eventually become problems because of their location are best removed when the tree is young. Low limbs do not rise higher as the tree gets older, but they do bend closer to the ground as the tree matures.

Q: What other kind of pruning is healthy for the trees?
Pruning trees to remove dead wood, rubbing branches, crossed limbs, split or hollow limbs, storm damage, shattered wood and trunk sprouts are great ways to keep trees healthy.  Pruning when the tree is young is less stressful and looks better than pruning a mature tree.

Offer: Goetz Landscape will prune lower branching, cross branching, trunk sprouts (suckers), and very tight crotch angle branching to improve overall health and shape of the canopy of the tree while satisfying the requirements of the City of Hugo.   All branching will be removed from site and disposed of.

Cost: $35.00 per boulevard tree.

Process:  A pre-determined date will be scheduled to do all the tree pruning within a couple days of each other.  An information sheet will need to be filled out and either emailed, faxed, or mailed to Goetz Landscape prior to the pruning.  A check will need to be left on the front door the day of the pruning written out to Goetz Landscape for $35.00 per tree that requires pruning.

If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to schedule your pruning please contact Dan Steuernagel with Goetz Landscape at das@goetzlandscape.com or  651-426-2136 *102.
Dan Steuernagel

Goetz Landscape, Inc.

2030 Main Street

Centerville, MN 55038

Office: 651-426-2136
www.goetzlandscape.com

Single Family Village Annual Meeting set for March 5

The Annual Meeting of Victor Gardens Single Family Village Homeowner's Association will be held on Tuesday, March 5, 2013. The meeting's location will be announced in the coming weeks.

Calendar Updates

At it's meeting tonight, the Master Board scheduled 2013's Master Board Meetings and a Master Annual Meeting on April 10.  These dates have been added to the VG News Calendar in addition to a number of scheduled Master ARC meetings.

Spring Parade of Homes 2013 - Victor Gardens in Hugo

 

Victor Gardens, Hugo MN.  35E to County Road 14 - E 1/2 mile.  In our complex world today, people are rediscovering the Joy of Life, found in simpler things. The essence of community life can be found in the timeless architecture, inviting porches, tree-lined streets, and village charm of Victor Gardens. Enjoy tennis, pool, playground and nearby parks, trails, clinics, shops & restaurants. Exceptional Homesites Available.

Disclosure Statement

Master Board Meeting Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2012

Victor Gardens Master Board is set to meet on Wednesday.  Homeowners wishing to bring items to the Board's attention are welcomed and encouraged to speak during the Homeowner Forum at the beginning of the meeting.  Please see the Agenda below:

Victor Gardens Community Association (The Master Association)

Wednesday, January 9th ~ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Victor Garden Activity Center
Hugo, MN  55038

Meeting Agenda

1)    Call to Order
2)    Review and Approve Minutes from Last Meeting (9.12.12)
3)     Homeowner/Vendor Forum
4)    Management Financial Reports
a)      Balance Sheet
b)      Income Statement
c)      Accounts Payable
d)      General Ledger
e)      Investments
5)    Management Report
a)      Work Order Detail Report
6)    Communication and Committee Reports
a)     ARC Committee
b)      Long-Term Planning Committee
c)      Social Committee
d)      Landscaping Committee
7)    Board Discussion
8)    Review of Action Items & Timeframe for Completion
9)    Set Date for Next Meeting
10) Adjournment

January Master ARC Meeting Cancelled

Master ARC meetings are often piggy-backed to Master Board meetings.  There are currently no applications, discussions or other items for the ARC to consider.  As such, the ARC meeting, originally scheduled to follow the Board meeting on Wednesday is cancelled. 

The ARC has been told to expect an informal conversation with Colfax Companies at our next scheduled ARC meeting, February 12, 6:30pm at the Neighborhood Activity Center.