Agenda - Council - 12/14/2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Background: The Public Works following six cases: CITIZEN INPUT REPORT FROM PUBLIC WORKS By: Public Works Staff Committee met on Tuesday, November 16, CASE 2004 and discussed the none Case #1 Consider Request from Savannah Oaks Residents Regarding Speed and Noise Concerns Background: On June 25, 2004 and Septemberl6, 2004 the City received a letter from residents of the Savannah Oaks senior apartment building regarding noise and speed concerns from traffic in the area of the apartment building. The residents have expressed concern primarily over the issue of noise, which relates somewhat to speed but also to driver attitude and condition of vehicles. In addressing the noise concerns, a review of the speed limits in the vicinity of the apartment building is in order. The speed limit on TH 47 is 50 miles per hour north of CSAH 5 and 45 miles per hour south of this intersection. The speed limits on TH 47 were last reviewed by MnDOT in 2002. The speed limit on CSAH 5 is 55 miles per hour, but there is a 35 mile per hour advisory speed posting for the segment southeast of Dysprosium Street approaching the TH 47 intersection. The speed limits for CSAH 5 have been reviewed recently by MnDOT, and is discussed in Case #3 of this report. The speed limit on Dysprosium Street is 30 miles per hour. The residents have also suggested consideration of a noise mitigation barrier. Staff explained that in order to effectively reduce noise levels a solid barrier must be constructed between the line of sight of the source of the noise and the receptor site (the apartment building). Because the apartment building is considerably higher than the road, it would be technically and economically infeasible to construct a solid wall sufficiently high to effectively reduce the noise level. The residents also suggested plantings may help to buffer the noise. Plantings are effective in buffering visual impact of the roadway, but are significantly less effective in providing noise reduction and there are already a number of evergreen and deciduous trees along the CSAH 5 between the highway and the building. Staff advised enforcement of noise standards is an area that could be effective in improving the situation. Enforcement can be more effectively focused if it can be assisted by the residents of the apartment building in providing the Police department with information. Residents should be encouraged to report loud vehicles and inappropriate acceleration to