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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober and November 2011 Gem Lake Newsletter Oct./Nov., 2011 Volume 5, Issue 9 Gem Lake News Special Interest Articles: • Temporary Traffic Changes in Gem Lake • Garden Overlay Application Approved • 2012 Budget Hearing Scheduled • City News Page 4 Upcoming Recycling Dates: October 19 November 2 November 16 November 30 Gretchen Artig-Swomley, Newsletter Editor By now you have no doubt noticed the four- way stop signs that have been set up at the intersection of Goose Lake Road and Otter Lake Road. The new stop signs on Otter Lake were set up to ease traffic concerns resulting from the massive 35E construction project that is now underway. One lane freeway traffic north of Highway 96 has left drivers looking for less aggravating routes to and from work each day. One side effect of the project has been increased traffic volumes on both Goose Lake and Otter Lake Roads, even now that the freeway has opened up both lanes in some sections. (continued page 3) Temporary Four Way Stop to Ease Traffic Re-zoning Application Approved for Garden Overlay An application for a garden overlay district on a parcel of land in Gem Lake was approved by the City Council at their September 16th meeting. Gem Lake Ordinance #122 establishes and allows for potential garden overlay districts. The first application for the use of this ordinance was made by Tom Hansen for land he owns on County Road E. This will allow Mr. Hansen to rent out parcels of his land for gardening purposes. The Gem Lake Planning Commission drafted and approved the ordinance earlier this summer and sent it to the council for final approval. The ordinance allows for a garden "overlay" zone for larger undeveloped parcels in Gem Lake, including the city's Gateway Zoning District. This would permit the temporary use of this land for agricultural purposes, under set guidelines, while the market for commercial and residential development recovers from the current downturn. Gem Lake News Page 2 of 6 Data from the Ramsey County Sheriff's Record Management System clearly shows two things about Gem Lake: 1. There is very little crime here that rises to the level of investigation. 2. The number of crimes investigated in Gem Lake has dropped dramatically from 2008 to today. In 2008, a total of 50 incidents occurred that were considered investigated crimes. They ranged from burglary to traffic issues. The most common categories in 2008 were theft, traffic crimes, investigated accidents, miscellaneous incidents and burglary. In 2009 a there were 43 crimes investigated, with theft, again, leading the pack. In 2010, there were 47 crimes investigated, this time spread out into more categories, such as burglary, auto theft, accidents, miscellaneous, traffic, etc. For the first eight months of 2011, there have been only 14 crimes investigated, with theft making up a total of 6 of them. This data probably does not include the incidents listed below, but is still remarkable. Data on Crime Shows Gem Lake Remains Generally Peaceful, Despite "Blips" Five Crime Incidents in Gem Lake in One Month Period Despite our reputation as a safe place to live in the Twin Cities, September was an unusually active time for reported crimes in Gem Lake. The whopper was a criminal damage to property report for Otter Lake Road. The incident involved a group of knuckleheads who decided to flip over the cute VW Bug that was sitting on the front lawn at the intersection of Goose Lake and Otter Lake Roads. It was parked at an incline, which made it relatively easy to flip over, according to police. The car had a "For Sale" sign on it. The incident happened sometime in the early morning hours of September 18. Other incidents include the following: A car was stolen from one of our auto dealerships earlier this summer and was found abandoned and burned in Anoka. Two wheels and some front headlight assemblies were stolen from a car dealership here on September 14. A resident on Goose Lake Road reported fraud when someone used her social security number to open a phone account. Also, another stolen car was recovered after it was abandoned in the parking lot of the County Lounge. On the bright side, the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department has decided to maintain their sub-station here in Gem Lake. The station is located within Heritage Hall. Gem Lake News Page 3 of 6 The idea for temporary stop signs resulted from driver complaints to Ramsey County last month, according to Bill Short, Gem Lake City Clerk and a member of the White Bear Township staff. Drivers had begun to notice that traffic was backing up at afternoon rush hours, particularly on east bound Goose Lake Road and north bound Otter Lake Road, said Short. After visiting the site, the staff of the Ramsey County Public Works Department decided that adding two temporary stop signs on Otter Lake Road, at its intersection point with Goose Lake Road, would ease the problem for now. The signs will be up until 35-E traffic returns to normal. Prior to the state shutdown, it was expected that the freeway project would be completed this year, but now it looks as though the project may run into 2012. Temporary Four Way Stop to Ease Traffic (continued from pg. 1) With its semi-rural landscape, Gem Lake provides a special haven for wildlife of all kinds. If you would like to decrease your chances of an especially close encounter with our deer population--take note. Insurance statistics show that November is the time of year with the highest number of deer and vehicle collisions occur nationally. Because November is the heart of the mating season, deer tend to be migrating more than any other time of year. More than 18 percent of collisions occur during November, closely followed by October. The average cost of an encounter is vehicle damage of $3,171. Unlike many states, Minnesota's rate of deer encounter is up four percent over last year. The only other state in the top ten for deer and vehicle collisions that saw an increase was Wyoming. For the past three years, the number of these collisions has generally dropped nationwide. Drivers in Hawaii are the least likely to hit a deer with their car. If you can't move to Hawaii, here are a few things that will help you avoid a close encounter of the wildlife kind: a. Remember that deer move around the most between 6 and 9 p.m. b. Keep in mind that deer travel in herds. If you see one deer, there are probably more. c. Use those high beams as much as possible. d. If you can't avoid hitting the deer, try never to brake and turn at the same time. e. Those posted deer crossing signs are put there for a reason. Deer and Vehicle Collisions Highest in November Gem Lake News Page 4 of 6 PPublic Hearing on Budget Set for Nov. 16 A preliminary Gem Lake General Fund budget for 2012 was approved by the City Council at their August 16 meeting. The 2012 budget is anticipated to be $431,887, which includes a General Tax Levy of $274,672 and a Debt Levy of $51,300. This would represent the maximum levy for 2012 and would be refined before final adoption in November of 2011. There will be a public hearing to discuss the final budget at the November City Council Meeting on November 16 at Heritage Hall. The total tax levy would be no more than $325,972. The budget includes a draw-down of the city's existing fund balance in the amount of $96,448. The 2012 use of existing fund balance would bring the projected General Fund Balance down to 56.31% of the projected expenditures for next year, which is in line with guidelines from the State of Minnesota about how much money a city should keep in reserves. Leaf Disposal Do's and Don't Do rake up your leaves. Don't rake them into the street. Why use a bunch of words when eleven will do? Free Yard Waste Collection Sites You can drop of your yard waste at several local sites free of charge. Tree, shrub, leaves, grass clippings and soft plant materials can be brought to: a. 3530 Hudson Avenue, Arden Hills b. 5900 Sherwood Road, White Bear Township There are also several other Ramsey County sites. The 2011 hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday--11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Saturday-- 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Sunday--11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The hours run through November 30. You have to be a Ramsey County resident to use these free sites. For more information call 651-633-3279. City News Page Fee Schedule for 2012 Discussed at October City Council Workshop/Public Hearing is Next Fees for everything from building permits to re- zoning applications was the subject of the October City Council Workshop, held on October 3. For the most part, the council tentatively agreed that fees would remain essentially the same for the year ahead. The fee schedule will be the subject of a public hearing on November 16. Please feel free to provide your feedback. Ideas for the Gateway District to be Discussed at the December Workshop How can Gem Lake attract high quality development to our city when the real estate market finally recovers? This is the central question that will be discussed at an idea session that will be held December 5 as part of the City Council Workshop at Heritage Hall. For instance, would you want developers to be able to increase density when they develop open parcels the Gateway Distract of Gem Lake in return for more green space? The workshop will focus on filling in language within the city's Gateway District Zoning Ordinance that is intended to deal with incentives for builders. Your input at this meeting would be appreciated. Become a Volunteer for Gem Lake No one knows the needs and goals of Gem Lake residents better than the people who live here. Volunteers are always being sought to serve on committees, help organize special events and do such things as help mail out the newsletter. If you are interested, please contact anyone on the contact list on page 6. We can probably find something you would enjoy doing-- even if its simply sharing your ideas about building an even better community. Gem Lake News Page 5 of 6 Traffic in Gem Lake Once a Bit More Leisurely When I-35E Originally Constructed Currently traffic in Gem Lake is being highly affected by the major reconstruction project now underway on 35E. (See story on page 1.) Although the speed and volume of traffic are a real problem today, this wasn't always the case. During the early 1950's, Connie Bigelow Kunin, just a little girl at the time, once built a barrier on Goose Lake Road with her friend Mary Lou Opstad. The two decided to stop traffic as a prank and piled up brush and other debris. Then, the youngsters hid in the woods to see what affect their little barricade would have on drivers. The answer: not much. After spending 20-30 minutes giggling and waiting for a car to come by, they gave up and went home, where they were promptly punished for their misdeed. By today's sta ndards, Gem Lake is still an amazingly semi-rural city. Fifty or sixty years ago it was almost entirely devoted to large farms, dairy and livestock businesses and several large estate properties. Although the basic street layout was much the same as it is today, the number of cars traveling through Gem Lake is very different, agrees former mayor Lloyd LaBore. Lloyd was born here in 1925 and remembers when Scheuneman Road was an unpaved country lane. His father, Duestry LaBore, owned a dairy farm located at the current location of the Gem Lake Hills Golf Course. Things began to slowly change, first as a result of the Great Depression and then during and after World War II. Duestry LaBore sold his farm and moved to California. Other large farms began to be sold and turned into residential properties. Post war progress also brought the interstate highway system, which was originally set to run right through the City of Gem Lake. Original staking of Interstate 35E, which was laid out in 1955 and completed in 1970, put the freeway right through the current Kunin property, near the west end of Goose Lake Road and significantly east of LaBore Road, around the current White Bear Parkway. The freeway route in this area generally ran along side to the original U.S. Highway 61. "At the time, some people thought my mother, Eileen Bigelow, must have had a lot of power if she was able to get the freeway moved out of Gem Lake," says Connie. "Actually, my mom had been ready to move herself as a result of the construction. It was the wetlands that caused the route change. Primarily, I think it's the same problem engineers now face when contemplating the extension of LaBore Road northward to hook up with White Bear Parkway and/or Highway 96." The same wetlands are in the way. This article originally appeared in the August, 2007 Gem Lake News. A view from the original Bigelow House off of Goose Lake Road, looking west towards the area of what is now Walmart and Interstate 35E.Photo taken in the 1940’s. 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 The following Gem Lake Meetings will be held at Heritage Hall through November and December. November 1, 2011 Planning Commission Meeting at 7:00 p.m. November 7, 2011 City Council Workshop at 7:00 p.m. The 2012 Budget and procedures for authorizing city November and December Meetings Your Gem Lake City Council The City of Gem Lake PHONE: (651) 747-2790 FAX: (651) 747-2795 City Hall Address: 4200 Otter Lake Road Gem Lake, MN 55110 GENERAL E-MAIL: City@gemlakemn.org Newsletter e-mail: gretchenas@comcast.net Kiki Sonnen: 651-747-2790, or Kiki.Sonnen@CO.RAMSEY. MN.US To report incidents for the Neighborhood Watch program or for information on that program contact Block Captain Chuck Watson 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 developer incentives for the city's gateway district will be discussed. December 6, 2011 Planning Commission Meeting at 7:00 p.m December 20, 2011 City Council Meeting at 7:00 p.m. expenses will be discussed. November 15, 2011 City Council Meeting at 7:00 p.m. This meeting will include a public hearing on the 2012 budget. December 5, 2011 City Council Workshop at 7:00 p.m. Ideas for Tom Rasmussen Phone: 651-426-8854 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.