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Home My WebLink About1999-01-31 St. Paul Pioneer Press Article :�B A SAINT PAUL PIONEER PRESS SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 1999 WASHINGTON COUNTY NE iGH'BORS + SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF WASHINGTON COUNTY WASHINGTON COUNTY SPOTLIGHT: OAK PARK HEIGHTS BRIEFING WASHINGTON COUNTY IF wis in In e W =Volunteers needed for crisis phone The Rape and Sexual Violence Center of Human Services Inc., of Washington ers t Residents on Stagecoach Trail live with tincertainty. "�� ~'_ ty is in need of adult volunteers to .�., staff the center's 24 -hour tele- phone crisis line. The city sai's they were told the area will become completely Volunteers help provide support >.. to victims of sexual assault by industrial, but residents sal' the city also told them they answering the crisis phone line. Volunteers can work from their could live there as loll. as they want. homes once training is completed. g _ Training for new volunteers begins Feb. 22. For more information, call endorf at (651) 458- ABOVE: The Karen Ho g ^ ry neighborhood has 4116. � a mixture of prop - STILLWATER. erties, Including a - wildlife manage- U alumni gr oup forms `, ment area. University of Minnesota President Mark Yudof will help celebrate = LEFT: Oak Park aq the formation of the St. Croix Val- Heights neigh - bors, from left, ley Chapter of the University of ' Paul Plaster, Brian Minnesota Alumni Association dur- Smith and Larry ing a daylong celebration in Still- P water. K x Phillips are upset s ; t' �I " Yudof will begin the Feb. 16 about a school � � � �� "' � � � i�l;�l �� i celebration with a presentation to ' ` bus company's students at Stillwater Area High ' "� ��' i ntention 110 buses an School in the morning. f� At 3 p.m., he will participate in V in site a Stillwater Area Chamber of near their homes. Commerce - sponsored round -table e, They met at discussion with business leaders at ,, Smith's home on ?( Stagecoach Road. the Freight House , e Restaur g ant in Stillwater. The discussion will cen- ter on the skills business leaders~ say college students should bring° UP NEXT with them to the job market, said R A meeting andy Fulton, the chamber presi- on Student dent. Transportation's The celebration will conclude - plans to relocate with a party from 6 to'9 p.m. The f �� ... school buses to party, which is open to the public, -.. an industrial site will feature Yudof and university / off Stagecoach sports enthusiast, radio talk show host and Alumni Association Presi- _ _, Trail will be Feb. dent Dave Mona. The University 22. The Oak Park Jazz Ensemble will entertain. Heights Planning Commission will The cost of the party is $10, but ~� new members joining the alumni -. discuss the issue association will be admitted free.K at its meeting Membership is open to alumni and Feb. 25. friends of the university. PIONEER PRESS PHOTOS BY JOHN DOMAIN More than 3,000 alumni live in ver a ey, sald S BY JOHN DOMAN - Randy Gutzmann, vice president ince putting their house up for sale developed soon. of the new chapter. The chapters • and Diane "We're simply on a month -to- year resident of the area. in November, Andr answer " W s, e can't c Wcity 4 may seek to buy out the • goal is to create a fun, locally Olson have heard freveral peo- month there, said Bruce Dischinger, turn to the tit based way for alumni and friends ple curious about Oak Park senior region manager for Ryder they're representing themselves reht beause homeowners, perhaps with the help to easily connect back with the Heights property but not serious Student Transportation. "We would We feel we're really out here on our of "Werlunderstand long -term m said. won't• university experience and memo- enough to buy. Andrew says the cou- like to be in before the spring, own, twisting in the wind." neighbors to be ries and to tap into everything the ple's predicament is unavoidable, before the thaw and before the Phillips, who rents out two units in that transiti S zone," Danielson U has to offer today." however, because he tells potential heavy spring season starts with field in his triplex, said one of his biggest said. "We're trying to be more For more information, call buyers up front the truth about the trips. We're looking to get in as soon concerns is that the bus operation proactive, working with the neigh - Libby Hupf at he University of neighborhood. as possible." would be only Minnesota Alumni Association at The residential area, consisting of Ryder is well aware of the resi- erty. Some o her, less-intrusive com best t can be in t e term. the (612) 625 - 9187 or (800) 862 - 5867. AT mm LANCE five homes northwest of Bayport dents' frustrations. Dischinger said. — MARY DIVINE ry: Oak along Stagecoach Trail, has its mer- "We're going to have a couple of better on the site, he said. mercial development could work But residents wondered why the WASHINGTON COUNTY Park Heights home- its, neighbors say. Perro Creek, Val- meetings with staff and neighbors, "I've got the issue of being awful- area "The u city h w wants to 1 classify ify t as owners on Stage- ley View Park and a natural area and hopefully resolve the issues that ly close," he said, adding he doesn't in land," said Smith, who S ervice exchange Ses- coach Trail are con- are to the west of the homes, pro- are of concern," he said. "This is the have air - conditioning. "In the sum- owns the duplex. Service Exchange has scheduled up with e th said flies because SIOnS Set: The Neighborhood c about the for t believe I will be able to scenic views and ample space best site we have been able to come mer, I don't prison is there." y windows open. The dust Smith, along with his neighbors, relocation r ion of 110 for outdoor activities such as snow- . W want to be in a situa- have m several orientation sessions for school buses by shoeing, cross country skiing, walk- tion where we don't have to move would be to the point~ of unbearable said the area has much more to new members in February. Ryder Student ing and hiking, later on down the road." if Across the street in is Oak Park Heights Community t I have telescope, I like to look behind their homesthe natural areas p is a program that gives neighbors industrial site in the a chance to share their talents in Development Director Kris Daniel- at the stars at night," he continued neighborhood. — Stillwater, undoubtedly not most son said city staff will meet with expressing concern about bright Also, they said the idea that the Neighborhood Service Exchange Transportation to an lain view the Minnesota Correctional Facility exchange for the talents of others. ■ Size: Four homes but f of the nuisance or problem, Ry'der Feb ith live in faith, cooperation, trust and shar a p arking lot g city could compensate them for their The exchange is based on g ood Wednesda parking lot lights. "If I wanted to homes is unrealistic. g in the immediate according to residents. p g , I would have < What the Olsons feel they must neighbors Feb. 15. bought a house in a parking lot. This They've taken the free - market ing. area. cho all ages and abilities. Individuals, View Park, Perro Student Transportation wants to we moved here. ice awa Membership is free and open to • Pluses: Valley tell would -be buyers is that Ryder Ryder bus depot did not exist when its place w thout ta l( i &dill ' g p families and groups are welcome Creek and a natural bring 110 school buses to the area. Phillips also said he's worried ty for doing so," Smith said. to join, area are to the west "I'd be glad to stay if the bus ` about the increased traffic. Phillips added: "We will not be The sessions will be at 9:30 a.m. of residents' company wasn't coming in," Andrew 6 3 6 -- r "MY driveways are on a blind tor- able to go out and reproduce what Feb. 8 and at 6:30 ; - —r : her and it's extremely dangerous — we currently have with what the p.m. Feb. 16 at homes. said. He is concerned about increased traffic on the already 57thst city pays us if they buy. So we're —-� I can't tell you how dangerous, " he — the Community Volunteer Service ■Minuses; Stage truck -heavy Stagecoach Trail. The ,; Y the losers." office in Stillwater; 10:30 a.m. - ' said. Feb. 24 at Guardian Angels coach Trail is an Olsons and their children, ages 8 and Q GAX PARIS i Danielson acknowledged the area's Paul Plaster, who put his home up Catholic Church in Oakdale and at increasingly busy heavy traffic. for sale, said having a bus operation 11, have lived in the house about vY 10:30 a.m. Feb. 25 at White Bear road (drivers use it five years. °! "Stagecoach Trail is sort of a as a neighbor would be detrimental Unitarian Church in Mahtomedi. as a shortcut v ` §I}th8f N oi curving count " she said. to his career. A Culligan employee, One other homeowner feels BlAyp strong- � r - - -"- ._. g Y road To make a reservation to attend between Bayport ly enough to have placed his home There s been substantial amounts of Plaster typically works evenings, one of the orientation sessions, call and Minnesota 36); on the market, too. The two remain - Such — _ large -scale dirt hauling, and it's in meaning he sleeps later in the morn - trail Cathy Dyball at (651) 439 -7434. the area is a mixture ing homeowners —the fifth house 1 - an area that's sort of the shortcut ing. Living with the loud noise of of industrial and res- was purchased last year by the city between Bayport and (Minnesota) buses running in and out of the area, — MARY DIVINE STILLWATER idential. of Oak Park Heights —are against PIONEER PRESS 36•" especially early in the day, would be ■Locations /direc the bus lot as well because of the "There's been a substantial In addition, the neighborhood and difficult, he said. noise and pollution it could bring, amount of time our staff has invest- th everal e surrounding area have gone "If this thing goes through, I'll Families wanted HOPE tions: From St. Paul, through major changes in take Interstate 94 and they say they may end up trying ed with Ryder and the neighbors 11 g ) g move," said Plaster, a 16 -year resi- Adoption and Family Services of to sell their homes as well. Danielson said. "We want o mak recent years, she said. About 70 dent and father of three. `I was in Stillwater is seeking families for east. Go north on `We're not compatible with Ryder sure their concerns are met." homes were removed in preparation the middle of renovating my house. I older children, sibling groups and Minnesota 95 to for the potential new St. Croix River stopped. I can either earn money or children with medical problems. Bayport. Turn left and they're not compatible with us Several residents questioned the Bridge, which is now planned farther spin my wheels." Single — it just will not work," said Brian proposal's delays. Ryder had g people and couples living onto Fifth Avenue in Smith, who owns a duplex north of approached the Oak Park Heights north of the area. The Olsons said they also are in Minnesota and western Wiscon- Bayport and head the h, who A four-year resident of Planning Commission in earl g "We think the neighbors te while afraid to make additional improve - sin are eligible to apply. s, an west until you reach the area , , Smith rents out the front December. Subsequently , the topic cants need not be childless, and Y (the bus lot) is an appropriate Bevel- m "We to their home. Stagecoach Trail. portion of the duplex and lives with has been pushed twice to future concerns, for the site —have valid "We feel that c are in a position home ownership is not required. Turn right. The his family in the back. He's one of planning commission meetings. concerns, and its an area where situation in the location and position Participants are given training g they've been highly impacted by we have fallen into," the couple said and are connected with other fam- homes are on the the residents who would consider But Danielson and Dischin er said ilies who have adopted "waiting left, across the selling. "We were here first." the need to gather additional infor- these projects, " Danielson said. in a letter to the city. children." Adoption assistance street from the Min- Ryder Student Transportation mation for the lannin commission Even so, the city has made no Public meetings in the next few ; nesota Correctional rants are available to provide holds a 10 -year lease on an industri- led to the delays g bones about wanting the area to become industrial. weeks should help the situation, medical care, therapy, respite Facility — Stillwater. al site in the neighborhood. The In the meantime, residents said, " Danielson said. pedal services f care and others e to house the company would like the Y The city's goals for that area is « or ■Schools: School y have met with city leaders to for it to transition into n industrial At his point, what some of the children. District 834. buses, which serve School District express their concerns about Ryder area," she said. "We've got the neighbors have said to us is `What is ng to the Stagecoach Trail prison across the street An informational meeting about 834, on the roughly 10 -acre plot of relocating The majori- our lan? he program will be held at 7 p.m. land, which formerly was the Junker site and to question the city's inten t of land is already in industrial Y p she said. "What we landfill. A private company owns the tions for the area. said is we need to have a plan. The u mily at HOPE Adoption and use, with the residential the excep- long -term plan is to have that area il Services, 421 S. Main St., BY HEATHER land Danielson said residents were told tion." be industrial. In the short-term, let's Stillwater. A two -day training ses- Ryder approached the city last that the area will become all That's why the city last year pur- , year, requesting a conditional use trial in the future. But, residents chased one of the five Stagecoach work together .. It's a neighbor - ,ion for anyone interested in par- ll id hood that's been through a lot, and : JOHNSON it's not over yet." icipating will be held Feb. 12 and permit to house the buses on the contend, the city also told them they Trail homes, known as the Bell eb. 13 at First Presbyterian sT a> F wRiTEU site, which has been vacant about could stay in the area for as long s 'hunch in Stillwater. five years. The buses now are at the they like. g property, she said. The city also Heather Johnson, who covers To register, call HOPE at (651) downtown Stillwater Territorial "As four individuals, we have no hir ed, wit to th r esidents' kn h j ohn son@pioneerpress.com County, can be reached at =39 -2446. Prison site, which is expected to be one to turn to to 1 son @pioneerpress.com or at 1 get a straight four remaining homes. The city's (651) 22 &5469. y • ( Y T