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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 6770 Stillwater Blvd. N. Suite #110, Stillwater, MN 55082 <br /> PHONE: 651.689.2200 <br /> <br />October 20, 2022 <br />Via Email to: <br />Rachel Juba, Community Development Director <br />rjuba@ci.hugo.mn.us <br /> <br /> <br /> RE: Hugo East Apartments <br /> MnDOT Review S22-034 <br />Ms. Juba: <br /> <br />We are in receipt of the MnDOT review letter dated October 19th, 2022 regarding the Hugo East <br />project. Please find our responses to MnDOT’s comments herein: <br /> <br />Noise <br />We recognize our responsibility to assess the existing noise situation and take action that may be <br />necessary to minimize the impact of any highway noise to the proposed development. As part of <br />our standard construction process, we use Thermo-tech windows and doors, which provide for a <br />low level of noise penetration into our building and resident units. At all of our properties, we <br />prioritize our residents’ experience, and are sure to assess and mitigate any potential noise that <br />could come from nearby roadways. <br />Multimodal <br />We intend to make the connection from the development to Hardwood Creek Trail through <br />Francesca Avenue N. We also do currently have sidewalks within the development drawn into our <br />plans. <br />Program Support and Work Zones <br />The proposed project has existing right of way access to TH61 which we are using for this new <br />phase. This north access is suitable for the proposed development and has no bearing on the south <br />access to the Hugo Estates community, which is needed for their access. <br />While we generally understand MnDOT’s concerns about increased crash rates due to more access <br />points onto busy roads, these concerns are misguided as it pertains to this project. As you will see <br />outlined in blue on the attached map (see Exhibit A), the proposed project site is made up of two <br />parcels that currently have a total of three access points onto TH61. In addition, the existing Hugo <br />Estates community (south of the project site) has one access point (the south access). The proposed <br />project will eliminate the two most northern accesses leaving only the middle access between the <br />expansion site and the existing Hugo Estates community as its access point. Accordingly, <br />MnDOT’s traffic concerns are satisfied by the project’s already proposed reduction in access