HomeMy WebLinkAboutgr00090_000044_pg148Mayor Pickar recessed the regular meeting and opened the public hearing.
PUBLIC HEARING ON INTERSTATE 35W NOISE BARRIERS
Administrator Achen explained that the purpose of the public hearing was to review
the plans and specifications for noise barriers along I -35W in Mounds View.
Gary Orlich introduced himself as the representative from Mn /DOT and explained
that there were two problems with the proposed noise barrier, one being that the
soil in the proposed area was very poor so that it must be excavated and filled
in to get enough stability for the panels. The other problem was that landscaping
had been requested but in one area there was not enough room to put landscaping
in. However, he did suggest an alternative of planting vines but said he could
not guarantee their growth 100 percent.
Jerry Pittman, 5379 Raymond Avenue stated that he had not received a letter regarding
the public hearing. Administrator Achen apologized and said that the letters had
just been sent to those it was legally required to go to.
Mr. Pittman expressed displeasure at not having landscaping. Mr. Orlich replied that
it was just not possible to fit shrubbery in but that the vines had been used in
other areas and that it was felt to be a workable solution to the problem. He also
stated that there was a two year maintenance program that went along with the barrier,
which should insure the growth of the vines.
Bill Buckingham, 5220 Greenfield asked if the basic concept of the barrier had been
okayed.
Mayor Pickar replied that the barrier was approved in concept at the first hearing
on the matter.
Mr. Buckingham asked the source of funding, and Mr. Orlich replied that the project
was 90 percent federally funded and 10 percent state funded and that the only cost
to the City would be the maintenance of the area on the residential side of the
fence, i.e., mowing, picking up litter and so forth, after the two year maintenance
contract was up. He also stated that mulch would be used as much as possible, there
by cutting down the required maintenance.
Mr. Buckingham asked if the residents of the area had been surveyed and how far back
from the fence residents would be affecteth
Councilmember Baumgartner replied that they surveyed the houses going three in. Mr.
Orlich s t d to s that they had . t l ed to oet the opinions of the people we o would most
benefit from the barrier and anyone who would be disadvantaged by the barrier.
Mr. Buckingham stated that he did not like barriers and asked if it was possible to
come up with some type of vegetation barrier, such as fir trees or something else
that could accomplish the same thing.
Mr. Orlich replied that it was personal preference as to the appearance of the barrier
and stated that there were two choices available, either a wooden barrier or concrete
barrier. A concrete barrier had been put up in New Brighton, at the request of the
New Brighton City Council and there had been some adverse reaction to the appearance
of the concrete barrier, but that the wooden barriers seemed to be quite well accepted.