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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 2011 Gem Lake Newsletter February, 2011 Volume 5, Issue 2 Gem Lake News Special Interest Articles: • Hillary Farm Request Denied • 2010 Accomplishments • City News-Page 4 Upcoming Recycling Dates: February 23 March 9 March 23 April 6 Gretchen Artig-Swomley, Newsletter Editor A recent request to allow for re-platting of the Hilary Farm Housing Development in Gem Lake did not make through the required steps in order to be approved. In December, a request was submitted on behalf of Hillary Farms LLC to add an additional 8 homes on a 28 acre section of the development that is generally along its northeastern side. Each of the new homes in this section would have had an average lot size of 1.47 acres, down from the 3 acre average of the original plat. The request was reviewed by the Gem Lake Planning Commission on January 4, when the plan was also the subject of a (continued on page 2) Hilary Farm Re-Platting Request Denied Mayor Uzpen Reflects on 2010 Accomplishments According to a recent report by Gem Lake Mayor Bob Uzpen, 2010 was a very successful year for the city. "The city stayed within its expense budget and was able to save a small amount to carry over into 2011." In addition, the following is a list of some of the city's accomplishments from last year: *The accounting firm of Larson Allen audited the financial condition of the city. The report showed that Gem Lake is in a strong financial position, with adequate resources. *The city receives a small percentage of pull tab income, which it used for charitable donations, as well as betterment for citizens within the city. This past year, the city donated to the White Bear Lake Emergency Food Shelf, the Union (continued on page 3) Jessie Hart, Gem Lake Treasurer Mayor Bob Uzpen Gem Lake News Page 2 of 6 Hilary Farm Re-platting Request Denied (continued from page 1) Because an amendment to the comprehensive plan was a requirement for the sub-division request to go further, Jim McNulty elected to withdraw the plan at this point. public hearing. The plan received initial approval by the commission, despite wide spread opposition to it on the part of members of the public who attended this meeting. According to Hilary Farm LLC, the new concept was intended to increase the number of lots, in order to jump-start sales. The new configuration would allow for some less expensive options within the development. Since 2005, four homes have been built by McNulty Homes. In addition, the large lot containing the original Bemis family home has been purchased and a remodeling project is underway. In 2009, one lot was sold but the construction of a home is on hold, for the time being. Hillary Farm LLC requested that the lots in this 28 acre part of the development be changed from their current R-1 zoning to R-3 zoning, which requires a minimum lot size of 36,000 feet and set backs of 35 feet on the front of the lot and 25 feet on the back of the lot. Hilary Farm LLC had asked for three separate actions in order to re-plat the development. One was to ask for a Gem Lake Comprehensive Plan amendment to allow for the change. This would have amended the 1998 city plan on file with the Metro Council. Hilary Farm had initial approval for the development in 2004. The second action requested was for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow for greater density, in exchange for more open space. The third action requested was for the approval of a new Major Subdivision, which was to be called Hilary Farm Meadows. After careful evaluation of the plans by White Bear Township staff and various engineering experts, several questions and concerns were addressed in preparation for a city council meeting, which was held on January 18. During this meeting, city council members heard a presentation by McNulty Homes regarding the proposed sub-division. Various members of the public provided their feedback and expressed their concerns. The council then took up the first request, which was to amend the city's comprehensive plan. Each member of the council, as well as the mayor, voted negative on this request, citing specific portions of the comprehensive plan that each felt were in conflict with the further sub-division of Hillary Farm. Gem Lake NewsPage 3 of 6 Gospel Mission, and provided a $500 scholarship to Gem Lake resident Jamie Nadeau for post secondary education. *Certain parts of the city have municipal sewers. The Hoffman Corner sewer required major repairs. The City Council created a schedule for televising and "flushing" the sewers on a regular basis, so we can all stay on top of the sewer maintenance situation. *The city performed repairs on the ravine off the Scheuneman Road Business District and the culvert on Tessier Road. *Gem Lake offered free well testing services to residents so they could test their water for bacteria. Seventeen households took advantage of the program. *Tree trimming was performed after the first big snowstorm in November, during which numerous trees and limbs were damaged, due to the weight of the snow. *The City Council updated the Gambling, Alcohol and Tobacco Ordinances to reflect current standards for these regulations in surrounding cities. *The Ramsey County Sheriff's Department worked with the seven contract cities, including Gem Lake, to create an Administrative Citation Ordinance. This ordinance provides for faster processing of citations for the Sheriff's Department and potentially more fee income for the City of Gem Lake. Mayor Uzpen Reflects on 2010 Accomplishments (continued from pg. 1) *There are areas of the city that are considered to be in a flood plain. In order for current and future residents of Gem Lake to be able to obtain flood insurance, the city must have an Flood Plain Ordinance in place. This year the council drafted and approved such an ordinance. *Over the past two years, city hall has received complaints that dealt with unauthorized hunters on private land, gun shots being fired, (which is not allowed anywhere in the seven county metro area) and deer running with arrows in them on private land with no hunters in sight. After speaking to the Sheriff's Department, it became clear that the lack of regulation on this subject left law enforcement with no definite rule to enforce. With that in mind, the council began drafting a safety ordinance. After several meetings and a public hearing, the ordinance was approved. In a nut shell, this ordinance helps to eliminate the possibility of unwanted hunters randomly walking through the city, prohibits gunfire within city limits and puts control of deer hunting with the city council. "Each of these accomplishments required hard work on the part of the council and feedback from our residents. I look forward to working with everyone in the year ahead," said Uzpen. "The City Council believes that 2011 will also be a challenging year. We prepared the 2011 budget and projects with the goals of maintaining infrastructure and positioning ourselves for the future." Gem Lake News Page 4 of 6 City News Page Rain Garden Seminar Scheduled for March How and why to build a rain garden on your property will be the subject of a special seminar on March 30. Sponsored by the Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organization (VLAWMO), the seminar will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Vadnais Heights Fire Station at 800 East County Road E. The workshop will cover the basics of rain garden construction and their positive impact on rainwater run-off. The $10 registration fee includes a free copy of the "Blue Thumb Guide to Rain Gardens." Participants will also receive up to 2 hours of consulting time from instructor and rain garden expert Kristine Jenson to help with individual rain garden construction projects. For more information, please contact Ms. Jensen at 651-204-6074. Utility Work Rescheduled for March The burial of utility lines by xCel Energy on Big Fox Road has been re-scheduled for March or April. The project was initiated due partly to interruptions in service in the area that have occurred during past years. Gem Lake Scholarship Program High school seniors, take note: Gem Lake will award its second annual scholarship to one Gem Lake high school senior. The award provides for $500 for post secondary education. If you are interested, consultant your guidance counselor for more information. Last year's winning applicant was Jamie Nadeau. The program is funded by charitable gambling proceeds. Storm Water Retrofit Assessment Completed for Gem Lake A report on storm water runoff in the city was recently completed by the Ramsey Conservation District for the Vadnais Lake Area Watershed Management Organization (VLAWMO). The report was recently presented to the City Council for initial review. In most sections of the City of Gem Lake, storm water is properly running off, bringing a minimum of pollutants into the water body of Gem Lake. However, the report did highlight that one area of the city's business section has certain topographical features that do not allow for optimal runoff. This part of town is contributing more than an average amount of pollution to the lake. The report suggests various options to retrofit the area so that storm water gets absorbed where it falls and less pollution reaches the lake. The report will be discussed in more detail at the City Council Workshop at 7:00 p.m. on March 14. Planning Commission Seeking Chairman The position of chairman for the Gem Lake Planning Commission is open due to the recent resignation of former Chairman Craig Rafferty. "We are enormously grateful for all the time and energy Craig put into his duties as chairman," said Mayor Bob Uzpen. "Anyone who is interested in being a candidate for this position should contact me as soon as possible." The planning commission meets monthly and deals with long-term planning and zoning issues for the city. Goals for 2011 on the Agenda for March 14 Workshop Annual goals for the city will be topic of the March City Council Workshop, which is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on March 14. Members of the public are encouraged to attend and provide their input on potential goals in the areas of planning and development, ordinances, infrastructure, capital improvements, etc. . Gem Lake NewsPage 5 of 6 Emergency Management in Gem Lake by Jim Lindner Natural disasters are frequently in the news. From fires and floods in Australia to nor’easters dumping snow measured in feet instead of inches, it seems all one has to do to see how disasters impact everyday life is turn on the evening news. But there are other potential disasters as well, some of which could affect Gem Lake. A pipeline could burst or a railcar transporting chemicals derail, and while the likelihood of such a national security event is quite remote, leaving outcomes to chance is not sound policy. The television news reminds us that incidents do occur, and the better the responding agencies are prepared, the more likely the end result will be less traumatic for those involved. Gem Lake has decided to follow Ramsey County’s Emergency Operations Plan rather than create a plan of its own. Gem Lake has identified Heritage Hall as its emergency operations center. Should an event occur, such as a major tornado, Gem Lake's designated emergency coordinator has the authority to open Heritage Hall then contact Ramsey County’s emergency duty officer. Local authorities such as the sheriff and/or fire chief may then aid in such activities as crowd and traffic control, evacuations, or provide any other needed service to the impacted areas. Heritage Hall would serve as a base of operations. While none of us want to ever be part of an emergency event, it is reassuring to know that there are plans and procedures in place that will help mitigate the situation and allow events to run their course. Lessons are learned from each new incident and these are then assessed and, when warranted, incorporated into emergency management plans on the local, state, and federal levels. Jim Lindner is the designated emergency coordinator for the City of Gem Lake. March/April Meetings The following Gem Lake Meetings will be held at Heritage Hall through March and April of 2011. April 19, 2011 The City of Gem Lake April 4, 2011 City Council Meeting at 7:00 p.m. City Council Workshop at 7:00 p.m. PHONE: (651) 747-2790 FAX: (651) 747-2795 City Hall Address: April 5, 2011 March 14, 2011 4200 Otter Lake Road Gem Lake, MN 55110 Planning Commission Meeting at 7:00 p.m. City Council Workshop at 7:00 p.m. GENERAL E-MAIL: March 15, 2011 City@gemlakemn.org Bob Uzpen-Mayor Phone: 651-492-5083 City Council Members: Gretchen Artig-Swomley Phone: 651-260-9742 Rick Bosak 651-426-9695 Jim Lindner Phone: 651-429-7597 City Council Meeting at 7:00 p.m. Your Gem Lake City Council Newsletter e-mail: gretchenas@comcast.net To report incidents for the Neighborhood Watch program or for information on that program contact Block Captain Chuck Watson Tom Rasmussen Phone: 651-426-8854 651-653-8319; Charles.Watson@bdk.com We’re on the Web! See us at: www.gemlakemn.org CITY OF GEM LAKE 4200 Otter Lake Road Gem Lake, MN 55110 For more information on meetings, city ordinances, recent events, permit procedures, etc. please consult the Gem Lake web-site. The address is www.gemlakemn.org Each Gem Lake Newsletter is also posted on the web-site under the news section. Please email your ideas, comments and suggestions. See box at left for detailed contact information.