Agenda - Council - 05/11/2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

CONSIDER ADOPTING POLICY RELATING TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF SOUND WALLS ALONG COUNTY ROADS By: Steve Jankowski, City Engineer Background: The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has received authority to make regulations under Minnesota Statutes 116.07 to improve air quality by limiting pollutants, including noise. The Minnesota Department of Transportation has been routinely incorporating into their subdivision reviews wording referencing these noise requirements stating that Mn/DOT will not be responsible for incurring cost associated with the construction of sound wall to meet these standards, Anoka County has a similar policy regarding sound walls, and has stated this in its recent review of the Alpine Woods subdivision. An excerpt from Anoka County Highway Department Landscape/Streetscape Guidelines states: Noise Walls 1) Minnesota Statutes 116. 07 Subdivision 2a exempts roadways under County jurisdiction from the State Noise Standards unless the roadway has full access control. The Department will not provide noise walls on these types of roadways. However, the City may provide noise walls at their option if they meet the following conditions: Additional right-of-way must be acquired if the right-of-way is less than 200' in width (100' on each side of centerline) where noise walls are to be installed. Noise wails must be of type and style approved in advance by the Department and must be located 98'from the centerline of the roadway. The City shall pay for 100°/6 of the construction and maintenance of noise walls. As an option to noise walls, see the section on berms. Roadway geometrics and driver sight distances shall be considered when installing noise walls. A report indicating adequate sight distances has been maintained is required for all access points along the noise walls. The report shouM consider all elements obstructing a driver's vision such as trees, shrubs, plantings/planters, structures, etc.