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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 1978I' Published by the Arden Association No. 117 May 1978 "But there's a six -lane highway down by the creek Where I went skinny dipping as a child, And a drive-in show where the meadow used to grow, TAnd the strawberries used to grow wild. O There's a drag strip down by the riverside, Where my grandma's cow used to graze. Now the grass don't grow and the river don't flow 'IV Like it did in my childhood days." CN "Don't --From the song It Make You want to Go Home", words and music by Joe South This song could almost describe Arden Hills, at least judging from the Planning Commission meet - E Ing of April 5. Every item on the Agenda that night seemed to carry out the theme that "the times, they are a -changing." First off, there was a request for a sign variance for the Roseville State Hank's detached facility to be built on the corner of F and Lex - 'the ington. But since nobody from the Bank was there, matter was tabled. Next came a status report on the plans for County Road E. -Orlyn Miller, our City Planner, admitted liminary sketch without more it was very difficult to come up with even a pre- specifics with which to However, the draw- work. ing he showed us was very lovely, although looking at the size of the trees pictured, it must be the artistes concept for the year 2078. Also, NSP says ' that it would probably cost over x1009000 to bury those power lines, Next came four Public Hearings. The first was on McClung's addition which is between North Snelling and the Arden Townhouses. No one spoke for or against the issue; in fact, the only interesting thing here is the names for the pro- posed streets. Arden Vista Drive and McClung Drive, I can understand. But Raspberry Lane? And Chickadee Curve? Orlyn said probably somebody walked there one day and saw a raspberry and a chickadee. r Then there was a Hearing on Karth Lake Estates west, which is the land toward Karth Lake between Nursery Hill Lane and Amble Road. The problem here is that the area is pretty much land -locked and the only entrance would be through Nursery Hill Lane. One spokesman from Nursery Hill Lane said that the 'road is in poor shape now, and that he didn't feel the.current property owners should be assessed for road repairs if the road is destroyed because of traffic to a new development. He also said that Nursery Hill Lane empties out onto Hemline closely opposite the entrance to the Townhouses, and the morning traffic there is already bad news. The Planning Commission would really like to see another route out on the other side of this area, so that is still being studied Next up on the Agenda was a proposal for two duplexes andfour single-family dwellings on the block bounded by Hamlin , Ingerson, Dunlap, and Tiller. Since this block is often under water, some concern was expressed about where this 'displaced water would go if homes are built there. Some neighbors think it might wend its way into local basements. The developer wanted preliminary plat approval so that he could go to Rice Creek Watershed and have thew study the water situation. The Planning Commission doesn't want to approve a plat until ' we know if the land is buildable, as judged by the Rice Creek Watershed, The PC banged this one around for a long time, trying to word a motion to get the I'l R*ce Creek Watershed to act. Apparently it's som"imes difficult to gain the attention of the Watershed District until the bulldozers begin. Along with the water discussion came the regular arguments for and again i duplexes. One neighbor wanted to know why it should be up to him to prove why duplexes are unwanted; why wasn't it up to the developer, who was asking for a Special Use Permit, to prove that duplexes are necessary. One woman in the audience said that she disapproved of duplexes because they are for rental purposes,and she felt that renters do not have the same interest in the commun ity as do people who have money invested here. The developer then withdrew the duplex part of the request. The last Public Hearing that evening was on a proposal to build a Tom Thumb food store on the southwest corner of Hamline and Highway 96. The land there is currently zoned R-19 and the request was for a rezoning. The Town- houses are opposed; most of them are quite tall and aren't too crazy about having a view that overlooks a lighted store parking lot. Also, since there are approximately seven acres involved, other .stores would probably come along The North Association of Townhouses is so opposed to this that they had an attorney at the Public'Hearing to speak against the proposal --at 12130 a.m. He had a lengthy, well -argued speech that very nearly put me to sleep. I left the Council chambers at 1s00 a.m. to whispers of 'Chicken" and "What's the mat- ter, can't you take it?" and the fact is, no I can't. Those late hours are ridiculous. (I found out later that the Planning Commission had recommended denial of this request.) The Council now gets to hear the proposal. 11 Changes are also going on at the Village Halls John Buckley, Parks and Recreation Director, has moved from his back office into one formerly occupied by the Police Department, Jane Lund, who has the miserable job of keeping tra! of Arden Hills' payroll and bills, now is in an office by herself (where we lock her until the numbers come out right.) Dorothy Zehm, Assistant Clerk - Administrator, has an office also now and has relinquished the front desk and telephone -answering to our new gal, Carol Rasmussen, Velda Pierson and Char- lotte McNeish are still to be found where they've always been --under stacks of papers. Ida Adair, who used to answer the phone for the Police, has moved down town to work for the Ramsey County Warrant Office. When the Police Departmel moved out, more space became available for other village functions, And speaking of the Police Department, the Public Safety Committee would like some feedback from the residents of Arden Hills on how you feel we are being serviced by the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department. So if you have had arl personal experience with the Police since we switched over, call or write either the Village Hall or myself., (I'll probably talk longer on the phone than they will.) e e * e * * e Special attention to the Human Rights meetings coming ups The May 4th meeting will feature a discussion on Credit Discrimination, and the June meeting will be on Child Abuse. The information obtained at these two meetings and the interest shown will help to determine the content of a possible educational program. The May speaker will be Scott Hutton, Assistant Vice -President of the First National Bank of Minneapolis. So if you know of a widow or divorces who is having trouble getting credit In her own name, please come. May 4th. ' * * e e * * e My error last months I called Northwestern College by the incorrect name. (I tossed in 'Bible:) Please do correct me when I goof; apparently I've made , this same mistake before! 11 u 11 11 Dave Winkel is Arden Hills' new Tree Inspector, and he is already out checking woodpiles and hunting for diseased and/or dying elms and oaks. So if you see a handsome blond gentleman prowling through your yard, please don't call the cops on him! Dave will have on the green jacket with the AH logo on it and is interested only in your wood. He is also a certified EMT (Emergency Medical Technician), but says even that probably can't save an elm tree. Reminder about Arden Hills' Spring Walk to be good chance to enjoy the Heather, take a hike, and most at Perry Park at 10100 a.m. and take it from pack any time you want, held on May 20. It's a see our community. We'll there. And you can leave the * e There's been continuing controversy all spring at both the Planning Com- mission and at the Council about the location of the pedestrian trails in the new Briarknoll development. The builder is willing to put the trails anywhere Arden Hills tells him to; however, the neighbors already living in the area all have different ideas on what should be done. Br*arknoll lies just west of the cul-de-sacs on Indian Oaks Court and In- dian Oaks Trail. One trail layout had the proposed path sunning along the back property lines of the few homes at the ends of these two cul-de-sacs and then emptying into Floral Park. One of these current homeowners objected strenously to having this "public nuisance" right next to his back yard. He said when he built his home, he had expected other homes there, not a public trail. From this point, the arguments devolved into general discussions about Arden Hills' trail philosophy, which is that everyone in the Village should be within safe walking distance of a -park. And then we went into the fact that it's much easier to lay out trails before_ the houses are built than it is after. Someone asked if it is to a homeowner's advantage to have his house located right by a park. And the answer was, it depends upon the type of parks a woods, yes. A ball diamond, no. Anyway, the Council voted to loop the trail away from the homeowner that objected to it. John Buckley, Mary Blomquist, and Jim Moore are to be commended on their extensive research and fine presentations concerning this problem. Editor's notes It seems to me that one's approval or disapproval of these trails is directly related to the ages of one's children. Little kids will use the trails; Qlder ones will not. POTPOURRIS Along with the coming of Spring comes an increase in dog complaints. So take heed; our dogcatcher is on the job. There's also a rumor about a pas- sible cat ordinance, Can hardly wait for thosg public hearingsl.......The rash of burglaries in AH has been solved, but don't ever relax completely. There's always another thief around. Operation Identification is still available by calling either the Village Hall or the Sheriff ...... The new park to be made at the intersection of the Mutual Service property and the Hunter's Park area needs a name. If you have any bright ideas, give John Buckley a call. (Mutual Park? Hunter's Service?)...... There will be no Memorial Day Parade this year because the Arden Hills Community Service Club has become so small that they don't have the manpower to organise it. If any group is interested for next year, the spot is open...... The Northwestern College case is being appealed to the State Supreme Court..... There's been a request for additional Sheriff's patrolling on County Road F by the high school from 6530 to 8sOO a.m. In one of my famous exclusive inter- views (this time with my two sons, otherwise known as A.J. Foyt and Mario An- drettil I asked them about this. They said at the time they drive to school, Z96i 'oN 41WJ8d •uulW 'lned 'is QIvd X)Visod S •n :ff,Lvr x7as 11 30 seconds before classes start, there is no speeding problem at all; in fact, the cars are bumper to bumper. However, 2:30 in the afternoon is another stor ......Rice Creek Watershed pays AH $200 a year rent for using our Village Hall ;;;"their meetings. Helps with the heat and lights......Due to resistance fro homeowners in the northwestern part of the Village, the area encompassed by th new water line has been severely reduced in size......Presbyterian Homes has opened a fantastic new Care Center. If anyone is interested in daytime use of it, and is over 55 (65 for some classes), just give them a call at 631-1024.. Looks like the widening of Lexington Ave. from Larpenteur north to County Road E is all set. There will be one traffic lane in each direction, a center left turn lane, plus a bicycle lane on each side. See introductory quote on page 11 MAY CALENDAR May l Public Safety May 16 3 Planning Commission 17 4 Humpn Rights - 22 "Credit Discrimination" 8 Council 9 Parks and Recreation 10 Rice Creek Watershed 24 11 Finance School Board Elections - VOTE! Public Works or 30. Council. (The 29th is a holiday, so the regular meet- ing will be rescheduled. Call Village Hall for correct date.) Rice Creek Watershed The Arden Association is a non-profit organization existing for the pur- pose of informing Arden Hills' residents of Village activities and business. The Town Crier expresses opinions of the editor on these matters and attempts to make its contents informative and interesting. Readers' comments on any-, thing is encouraged. Deadline for the next issues May 19, Secretary -Editors Diane McAllister, 1200 Ingerson Road, 55112, 484-0773 Village Halls 633-5676