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<br /> <br />Gem Lake News Page 5 of 6 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Take Out Your Frustrations on a Patch of Buckthorn <br />Looking for a good workout or a healthy way to <br />release pent-up frustrations? Try taking a bite out of <br />buckthorn, that insidious shrub that invades our local <br />woods, choking out native flowers and seedlings and <br />damaging habitat and water quality. Chances are <br />you have at least one buckthorn plant growing in <br />your yard right now (get it quick!) and undoubtedly <br />you’ve seen it or been gouged by its thorns while <br />hiking in local parks. What you may not realize is <br />that killing buckthorn can be incredibly satisfying and <br />downright fun! Here are some tips for removing <br />buckthorn from your yard: <br /> Use a weed wrench to pull buckthorn <br />from the ground, roots and all, to <br />prevent re-growth. Weed wrenches can <br />be rented from various places. (Gem <br />Lake also has one available for loan.) <br /> Apply herbicide in a small band on <br />the lower trunk of buckthorn during <br />the winter to control large patches of <br />the weed. Garlon-4, diluted to 10% by <br />volume or Roundup is effective and can <br />be found at most nurseries and garden <br />centers. <br /> Late fall and early spring are the <br />easiest times to identify and remove <br />buckthorn, as it’s pretty much the only <br />plant with green leaves at this time of <br />year. <br /> Visit <br />www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/terres <br />trialplants/woody/buckthorn for <br />pictures and information about <br />buckthorn. <br /> <br />Angie Hong is an educator with the East Metro <br />Water Resource Education Program. She can be <br />reached at (651) 275-1136 x. 35 <br />angie.hong@mnwcd.org <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Application for <br />Conditional Use <br />Permit Reviewed <br /> <br />Chuck Whitaker has entered into a <br />purchase agreement with Don and Shiela <br />Waldoch to buy the former Waldoch <br />showroom and the existing strip mall. The <br />Gem Lake Planning Commission held a <br />public hearing on October 1. At the hearing <br />public comment was considered on two <br />Conditional Use Permits for the property. <br /> The first is for site improvements and <br />outdoor display and sales, the other is to <br />relocate an existing pole barn and the <br />improve the building exterior to like new. <br /> Because it exceeds 1000 square feet a <br />conditional use permit is required by <br />ordinance. <br /> <br />If approved by the City Council, the plans <br />call for renovation of the former Waldoch <br />showroom and eventual demolition of the <br />strip mall. Once tenants are secured a new <br />strip mall could be constructed. Further <br />redevelopment may stem from this initial <br />proposal. The City Council will take up the <br />matter at its October meeting. <br /> <br />