Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />DECEMBER 27, 2012 <br />Barb Marsh, Australian Avenue, reported that it was her hope that <br />the sound barriers on both sides of the freeway would be equal in <br />length. She acknowledged Gopher Electronics desire for a <br />stepped -down wall as it abuts their property. Marsh stated her <br />preference that even if the wall is stepped -down that it extend as <br />close to Little Canada Road as possible. <br />Blesener asked how close the wall could be to Little Canada <br />Road. Norris indicated that the wall would likely step down to six <br />feet in height adjacent to Gopher Electronics. Norris indicated <br />that the drawings appear to indicate that the wall would extend to <br />within 100 to 150 feet of Little Canada Road. He stated that it <br />might be possible to construct the wall to within 50 feet of Little <br />Canada Road. Norris also stated that it is possible that the wall <br />can be adjusted so that it is a similar distance from Little Canada <br />Road on both sides of the freeway. <br />Keis asked if Gopher Electronics had signage along the freeway <br />that the wall would interfere with. The City Administrator stated <br />that the issue is that Gopher may be leasing the upper floor of <br />their building, and they did not want the wall to interfere with <br />sight lines. <br />Blesener indicated that extending the wall further north will help <br />with noise mitigation for the Australian Avenue property owners. <br />McGraw asked what the expectation was for people to see from <br />the upper floor of Gopher Electronics. The City Administrator <br />indicated that there may be a view across the freeway to Savage <br />Lake. hIe noted the competing interests relative to this issue with <br />regard to residential property owners and businesses. <br />Blesener noted that there was some correspondence from Tom <br />Day that noise testing was not done correctly. Norris indicated <br />that there was some discussion about the increase in noise levels. <br />Blesener indicated that doubling of traffic volumes would result in <br />a 10 decibel level increase. Norris stated that it is unlikely that the <br />project will result in a doubling of traffic levels. <br />The City Administrator suggested that a workshop be held with <br />MN DOT and the effected property owners to discuss the sound <br />barrier and develop a compromise between these competing <br />interests. The Administrator suggested that the workshop be held <br />within the next 2 to 3 weeks and that property owners within a <br />determined distance from the project would be notified. <br />3 <br />