Missouri
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City of
Clarkson Valley Missouri |
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Those
pretty green ornaments that decorate our trees during the summer months have
become dreaded leaves. Indeed, the
air is cooler and the fireplace chimneys are beginning to come alive.
From your Alderpersons, employees and yours truly, best wishes for a safe
and joyous Holiday Season.
As the year comes to a close and I look back, there are some significant happenings worthy of review. We continue to receive excellent police service and you have indicated to us your satisfaction. For the first time in our City's history we signed a police contract for more than one year. The contract is for five years with the City of Ballwin. The first year (’04-’05) carried a 16% increase, however, the four subsequent years carry only a 1.5% increase per year. We feel this budget stability is very important and it weighed heavily in our decision to sign this contract. A new contract for one year with Midwest Waste was also signed. The increase for the contract was only 2%. In this newsletter we have touched on new ordinances relating to: deer hunts, swimming pools, fireplaces, and retaining walls. For more information about these and other City matters, including an update on the sound wall issue, holiday trash schedules, and various other topics, visit our website at (www.clarksonvalley.org).
Deer
Control Ordinances
The
news media has carried numerous stories concerning the Council's discussion and
passage of an ordinance. This
action was in response to residents requesting action to reduce the deer
population. The Council has devoted
considerable time and effort researching how to approach this problem.
Alderperson
Susan Shea serves on the West County Deer Task Force Committee working with
other cities and agencies addressing this problem.
Her reports to the Council provided valuable information allowing each
Council member to study possible solutions.
All members contributed their ideas (including doing nothing).
A summary of the Council's actions follows:
A
homeowner may authorize a hunt on his or her property
The
authorized hunt must be during the archery hunting season as defined by the
State of Missouri
The
authorized hunt must conform to the city ordinance allowing a deer archery hunt
as well as all of the appropriate Missouri State Laws.
The
city ordinance requires liability insurance of two million dollars, by the
homeowner and/or the hunter.
The
city ordinance specifies safety measures to be followed by the hunter, i.e.
minimum heights for shooting stands, where arrows can be shot, etc.
The
homeowner takes responsibility for all aspects of the hunt, including
notification of all neighbors.
The
city does not authorize hunting, only the homeowner can do that. The city does not issue a license or a permit to hunt.
You
can view the ordinance in its entirety on our website at www.clarksonvalley.org.
Some
citizens have voiced concerns about the ordinance.
Let me suggest the following for all of us. If your neighbor notifies you they are having a hunt or if
you are the person having the hunt on your property:
Call
your neighbor to discuss the specifics, decide if a meeting to talk is
appropriate.
Review
the specifics of where on the property the "tree stand" will be
placed.
Who
are the hunters: names, what instructions do they have, etc.
What
days and times hunter will be hunting?
Is
permission to go on other than the "hunting property" given?
If so, how will they handle the deer removal?
If
no permission is granted, what is the procedure for removing any dead deer
found?
Discuss
other issues of concern; i.e. hunter's credentials, etc.
Review
the "Suggested Actions for Property Owner Authorizing a Deer Hunt on Their
Property" memo provided to all homeowners authorizing a hunt (additional
copies available at city hall).
We plan to review the results at the season's end for possible future actions.
Swimming Pools
The
new ordinance alters the definition of a swimming pool.
It clarifies that a swimming pool is to be installed below the existing
grade of the surrounding yard, in the ground; thus prohibiting above ground
swimming pools.
The
ordinance defines a swimming pool as any man-made structure or pre-fabricated device, being portable or
non-portable, designed for the storage, containment, retention, collection, or
circulation of water having a depth greater than twenty-four (24) inches and
which shall be designed or used for swimming and/or wading purposes.
Fireplace
Exhaust Vents and/or Chimneys
Over
the years, different types of fireplaces, i.e. non-masonry exhaust systems
including new versions of Franklin Stoves, have become popular. To clarify the installation for these types of fireplaces,
the new ordinance specifies the exhaust flue is to be enclosed by full masonry,
cultured stone veneer, or faux masonry enclosures.
Additionally,
the size, dimensions, and proportions of the full masonry, cultured stone
veneer, or faux masonry enclosure shall be consistent with generally accepted
architectural standards and shall be subject to review and approval by the
Architectural Review Board.
All
fireplaces with a direct venting system shall be installed in accordance with
the manufacturer's specifications and shall be consistent with generally
accepted architectural standards and shall be subject to review and approval by
the Architectural Review Board.
Retaining
Walls
A
retaining wall is considered a structure by city ordinance.
When constructing such a wall, a building permit with an engineer's or
architect's seal is required. The
new ordinance makes one exception; it states that when constructing a wall to a
height of four feet or less inside the building line, a building permit is not
required. Any wall that exceeds four feet requires a building permit
(plans submitted with either an engineer's or architect's seal).
If
an existing retaining wall over four (4) feet in height is replaced, the
property owner shall obtain a building permit prior to any re-construction of
the retaining wall. There are a few
existing walls outside the property's building lines. The City's Board of Adjustment approved these before they
were constructed. The new ordinance
clarifies the procedure for modifying or replacing these existing walls.
The procedure requires a building permit and approval by the Board of
Adjustment for any changes.
Budget
2004/2005
The
2004-2005 Budget may be viewed online by clicking on the “2004-2005 Budget”
link on the City’s web site. A
hard copy may be obtained by calling City Hall.
Building
Permit Notes
If
you are considering additions or alterations to you home, please consider the
following:
Building
lines for a standard lot (i.e. not fronting two streets, not a pie-shaped lot,
etc.) are 75' front yard, 25' side yard, 50' rear yard.
Building
Permits are required for almost all alterations, including kitchen remodeling.
Please check with City Hall before hiring a contractor.
Either
an architect or engineer, licensed in the State of Missouri, must seal plans.
The
agenda for each month’s Board meeting is posted on the web site the weekend
before each meeting.