11-28-2012 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL NOVEMBER 28, 2012 Steve Bodine, 215 Viking Drive, also questioned the need for a second vote. Blesener asked the Council's position on conducting a second survey. McGraw stated that his concern was that MN DOT survey was sent to more than just the property owners directly abutting Viking Drive. The City Administrator stated that that was true, but noted that MN DOT only counted those ballots from property owners directly fronting on Viking Drive. Again, it was noted that 9 of the 12 property owners oppose the wall and 3 did not respond. Ponik reported that 2 of those 3 indicated to him that they did not want the wall. The Administrator pointed out that the issue of additional landscaping needs to be more defined, pointing out that some property owners did not want sight lines blocked. One of the conditions that the City has identified is that the sound wall dollars should be redirected toward additional landscaping in this area. Montour suggested that that condition remain, and noted that if the issue of landscaping is refined at a later date, those dollars can be released. The Administrator felt it was easier to deal with issues of this nature on the front end. McGraw stated that he supported the City's survey of the Viking Drive property owners to ensure that a thorough understanding exists between MN DOT, the City, and the property owners. The Council had additional discussion on the need for a City survey, and the consensus was to not proceed with it. The Administrator felt that an estimate of more intense landscaping should be made to ensure that MN DOT sets aside sufficient dollars to do that landscaping. The City Administrator suggested that the Council could authorize a letter be sent to the 12 properties to acknowledge the survey results and ensure these property owners are aware that this is their one opportunity to secure a sound wall. The Council supported that suggestion. Barb Marsh, Australian Avenue, noted the compromise that MN DOT agreed to relative to the sound wall for Gopher Electronics and the Australian Avenue residents. Read outlined the compromise which involves a 6 -foot high sound wall in front of Gopher Electronics, stepping up to 20 feet high at the south edge of the Gopher property. Marsh thanked MN DOT for this compromise. Marsh also suggested that MN DOT budget for some landscaping on the west side of the sound wall to soften the impact to property owners in the area. At this point in the hearing, there were no additional comments from the general public. 6