HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 2001 F ran
•
The Official City Newsletter for Arden Hills Residents November 2001
Eagle Scout candidate aids city in fight against buckthorn
Eradicating nuisance bush
may take a decade w..m
0 n Saturday and Sunday, Septem- A
ber 29 and 30,and again on
Saturday,October 27,the City
of Arden Hills began what may
well be a ten-year volunteer effort to
control buckthorn on all public and
private land.The Parks,Trails and
Recreation Committee targeted Crepeau
Park for this year's efforts.
Eagle Scout candidate Peter Dinndorf,a
junior at Mounds View High School and
0member of Boy Scout Troop 408, R
-rganized much of the volunteer help on Community volunteers including the Boy Scouts worked to remove buckthorn from
t Crepeau Park this fall
his inaugural project.
How do I know if my property has buckthorn?
On Saturday, Scouts and volunteers from
the Parks,Trails and Recreation Commit- Tips for identifying this growing threat �
Commit-
tee worked with Parks and Recreation ommon buckthorn is a small, and contain several seeds.The
Director and Acting Public Works shrubby tree. Its poisonous juice is greenish-black.
Director Tom Moore and maintenance small, black berries are often
employees Dave Winkel,Fred Bell, and mistaken for wild black cherries.This Cherry and plum plants: Cherries
Scott Freyberger cutting and chipping non-native plant has become a weedy and plums are closely related.
literally hundreds of buckthorn trees in nuisance competing with more Their twigs often emit an unpleas-
Crepeau Park. desirable native trees and shrubs. It ant odor when broken.The buds
also serves as an alternate host for jut out from the twigs and are often
Removal of this invasive species greatly oak crown rust. clustered near the tip and/or are
enhances the health and beauty of our bunched together on the sides. If
parks. Common buckthorn is often confused thorns are present(as on some
with certain wild cherries and plums. plums)the thorns stick straight out
The Scouts and a number of parents also Here are some hints to help you from the twig like short branches.
spread wood chips on the hiking paths. distinguish one from another. The leaves turn yellow in the fall
Additional volunteer efforts will be and drop early.The berries can be
scheduled yet this fall. Common buckthorn: Buckthorn twigs red or black if pea-sized, blue,
are tipped with a short sharp thorn. yellow, red or purple if larger.They
Buckthorn has become a weedy The buds are slightly curved and all contain the familiar single, hard
nuisance which threatens to choke pressed to the stem.The leaves are pit.The juice is red or purplish.
out more desirable trees and shrubs. dark green with curved main veins.
• For more information about buck- They hang on late into the fall without
thorn, call volunteer Phil Fabe/at changing color.The berries are black
651-636-2233.
i
`i
f
City of
Arden Hills AROUND
Service Directory the TOWN
City Hall
r m a �
651-634-5120
(http://www.ci.arden-hills.mn.us)
Planning an addition?
Fire (non-emergency) Some tips about zoning variances and when you may need one
651-633-2404
ould a proposed home addition doesn't,a variance must be applied for.
Parks and Recreation Woarz o ther remodeling project need
651-634-5120 oning variance?For what The setback requirements in a given zone
home projects is a building permit re- are on a one-size-fits-all basis.The City
Police(non-emergency) quired?How does the City of Arden Hills is not likely to allow a variance simply to
651-484-3366 facilitate such processes for residents? accommodate an oversize structure.
Such questions cannot be answered However,circumstances may exist that
Police and Fire Emergency completely here,but if any are applicable, would warrant some departure from the
911 we can point you in the right direction. norm,such as adapting to a sloping lot or
a nearby stream or pond,or saving a
Arden Hills City Hall The ABCs of zoning large tree.
1245 W. Highway 96. The basic purpose of zoning is to achieve
Arden Hills,MN 55112-5794 the highest and best use of land in its How to request a variance
existing context.The zoning map of the If a variance would be required to allow
Office Hours city shows various use districts,including your plan to proceed,request a variance
8 a.m.to 4:30 p.m.M-F. four levels of residential use varying in application packet from City Hall.When
Mayor: their requirements it's completed and
Dennis Probst of lot area,dimen- submitted,our City
Councilmembers: sions and setback Planner will review it •
Beverly Aplikowski, depending on The purpose of zoning and make a recom-
David Grant,Gregg Larson whether for single is to achieve the high- mendation to the
Lois Rem or two-family use est and best use of Planning Commission,
or for multiple which in turn will
City Administrator:Joe Lynch land in its existing
families in a submit it to the City
Council meetings are held at
planned unit context. Council with its
City Hall, 1245 W.Highway 96, development such recommendations.A
the second and last Monday of the as a group of public hearing may be
month at 7:30 p.m.The public is townhouses or an apartment building. held by the Commission or the Council.
welcome.Please call the City Other districts are for various levels of Time must be allowed for these events to
Administrator(651-634-5120) if business or industrial use.This article deals take place before any project can
you have topics for the agenda. primarily with issues of interest to present proceed.
The meetings are televised live or prospective homeowners.
and tape delayed on Cable What's next?
Channel 16 on the following
Wednesday at l la.m. and 7 p.m. What's a variance? With any necessary variance in hand(or
In residential areas,among various a revised and complying plan if a
Communications Committee: constraints a major one is the required variance has been denied),your next
Chairperson Sue Schroeder setback from lot lines—front,rear,and side move,or that of your contractor,is to
(651-636-8954), Elwood Caldwell, yard.With most Arden Hills residential submit detailed plans and apply for a
Fran Holmes,Mary Nosek. areas fully developed,typical zoning issues permit.A permit is required for any
Council Liaison: Lois Rem. here concern additions to homes that electrical,plumbing or heating extension
Staff Joe Lynch, Sheila Stowell. extend its"footprint." Are you planning or alteration,or any work such as
Desktop Publisher: Mary Nosek.
(or even thinking about)an addition to your moving or building walls costing over
Arden Hills Notes is the official home?If so,the setback rules come into $600.A form and instructions are
newsletter of the City of Arden play,and your proposed plan may or may available from the Building Department .
Hills,an equal opportuniy not comply. If it does,zoning consider- at City Hall.Building Official Dave
employer. ations may not be involved,and you can Scherbel is willing to counsel with you
proceed to apply for a building permit.If it (contined on next page)
Benchmarks A review of • • •
September 24 Approved pay estimate#6(final)to Department and City will share the cost of
• Approved request by Guidant Corpora- Gridor Construction for 2001 sanitary a building and fire inspector.
tion for variance to place monument sewer rehabilitation project(lift station
signs on Lexington Avenue(Case#01- #8)reconstruction and sanitary sewer • Approved the application for an exempt
25). testing,sealing,and spot repairs. gambling permit for Catholic Aid Associa-
tion,3499 North Lexington Avenue.
• Tabled request by Guidant Corporation Approved pay request#9(final)to
for variance to paint their name on the Forest Lake Contracting for West • Approved pay request#1 (final)to
private water tower on their property Round Lake Road improvements, MinnConn Utility Construction for the
(Case#01-25). Phase I. Mounds View High School water main
loop off Gramsie Road.
• Approved new site plan and restaurant Approved Personnel Policy benefit
expansion for Perkins(T.J.Food recommendation concerning deferred • Approved Ramsey County's concept plan
Ventures)at 3855 North Lexington compensation payments to staff. for County Road I design improvements.
Avenue(Case#01-24).
October 9 • Tabled discussion of Pavement Manage-
• Tabled request by McKinley Companies Approved Memorandum of Under- ment Standards.
for minor subdivision/lot split parcel at standing for Fire Inspection Services
4420 Hamline Avenue North(Case#01- between Lake Johanna Volunteer Fire • Tabled discussion of National League of
. 26)• Department and the City.The Fire Cities membership.
Zoning (continued from page 2)
or your contractor during its completion or tion requirements; fences,walls and Scherbel does many inspections as well as
prior to filing so that sufficient information hedges;garages; land use applications; consulting in advance on proposed projects.
is included to allow an adequate review. licensing for residential building contrac- Building and Fire Inspector Eric Nordeen's
tors and remodelers; lot split or consoli- job also includes fire inspections in
Getting inspected dation/minor subdivisions;planned unit Shoreview and North Oaks,with reimburse-
After a permit is granted,construction may development(PUD)concept plans;PUD ment for half of his time received from the
proceed as allowed by the inspections final site plan review;recreational Lake Johanna Fire Department.Electrical
required.These include(where applicable, vehicles(RVs); stairways,handrails and inspections in Arden Hills are provided on a
but not limited to)foundation inspection guardrails; storage sheds;windows fee-share basis by Dick Nelson of North
(prior to pouring or block installation); (minimum size for rescue escape);wood Metro Inspections,who also serves Little
foundation wall inspection,frame inspec- stoves;variances;zoning ordinance Canada, Shoreview,Roseville,and North
tion,insulation inspection,gypsum board amendment. Oaks. Resource sharing makes inspection
(sheetrock)inspection;electrical,mechani- expertise available to small suburban cities
cal and plumbing inspection;and final The Arden Hills building staff consists of at reduced cost.
inspection prior to occupancy.While this only two people—Building Official Dave
list may seem onerous,each element is for
your protection as well as that of neighbors New City Hall opens; dedication planned for spring
or future occupants.
ity Hall was closed on October 19 so staff could complete the move
For more information into the new City Hall.The new address is 1245 West Highway 96,
Easy to understand handouts on many Arden Hills, MN 55112-5794. Phone and fax numbers are unchanged.
building subjects are available for the The phone number is 651-634-5120,and the fax number is 651-634-5137.
asking at the Arden Hills City Hall.A The public is invited to visit the building during business hours or for city meetings.
sample list of them follows: additions; Council meetings will now be broadcast live on the second and last Monday of the
basement remodels;building inspection month at 7:30 p.m.The official dedication and open house will be scheduled sometime
requirements;decks(residential);demoli- next spring after the building interior and landscaping are fully completed.
A note of thanks
any of the residents of Arden Hills are very generous with their time in volunteering for City activities.
Our youth teams, for example, are coached entirely by volunteers who make a difference in the lives
of our children. We offer a hearty thank you to the volunteers who served as coaches this summer.*
T Ball Coaches Soccer Coaches 0
Third and Fourth Grade— Fi th and Sixth Grade—
Mark Frederickson Preschool .f
Jeff Magnuson Mark Catlin Squirts Pee Wees
Randy Bergstadt Katherine Smith Tim Archbold Gordy Eicher
Terry Dragich Mike Wedell
Judy Seibel Dean Kloeckner
Greg Johnson Andy Rauch Kara Hoard Beth Nelson
Mark Kroll Jon Grayson Rick Grosse Charlie Strause
Deb Benkovics Eric Enrooth Dean Kloeckner Mark Wocken
Jeff Sanders Jeff Hohenshell Jim Hanton Pat Krenn
Mitch Law
Mary Sanders
First and Second Grade-Mites Kerry Meyer Seventh and Eighth Grade
Baseball Coaches Steve Pfaffe Sue Wilde Jim Packer
Terry Olson Tom Douvier Steve Henkel Steve Thompson
Joe Babbini Terry Dragich Dennis Anderson Paul Menge
Mel Schroeder Mark Meyer Kevin Patty John Peck
Joe Galatowitsch Mike Kula Stephen Polasky Mark Ziniel
Bill O'Brien Markel Oden Dennis Daas
Sharon O'Brien Dennis Dee The north wind will blow, and we shall have snow!
Paul Farley Brent Mohlenhoff
John Sanny Mike Mata he City's Public Works Department plows snow after two or more inches
Tim Slechta of accumulation.Lesser amounts are only salted or sanded as needed.
John Urbanek TPlows will not go out until after the snow has stopped unless the snow
becomes too heavy.In that case,roads will be opened,then cleaned up after snow
Softball Coaches has stopped.The City does not have a bare street policy,as this requires liberal use
Dave Clark Jim Hoyme of salt and around-the-clock plowing.
Michael Lange Kim Sawtell 0
Steve Peterson Mike Hoen Plows will get as close as possible to mailboxes,but clearng mailboxes is the
Tom Ohm Judy Hoen responsibility of residents as is the task of clearing nearby fire hydrants.
Scott Creger Kat Smith
Doug Moe Brian Larson If a plow truck actually strikes a mailbox,the Public Works Department will
Lanny Farrell *We apologize if we have temporarily repair or replace it.Permanent repair or replacement will be
Bob Margolis unintentionally omitted completed in the spring.However,if the mailbox simply falls over or comes off
Patty Lenczuk someone's name from this the post as a result of snow coming off the plow,it is the owner's responsibility.
Mike Wehking list. Please know that we
appreciate the work of all The City plows walks and trails to the best of its ability,but some are too steep to
plow especially when it's icy.
our volunteer coaches.
ItECR-WSS
DEN HILLS PRST STD
U.S.Postage Paid
City of Arden Hills • 1245 West Highway 96 St.Paul,MN
Arden Hills,MN• 55112-5794 Permit #1962
I
n • Battling buckthorn
POSTAL CUSTOMER
S • Snow removal policy outlined •
t
d • Need a variance?
e • A thank you to summer coaches