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

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CASE # / .CONSIDER REQUEST FROM SAVANNAH OAKS RESIDENTS REGARDING SPEED ,~ND NOISE C'ONCERNS- By: Steven Jankowski, City Engineer Background: Attached is a letter received June 25, 2004 and a subsequent letter received SePtemberl 6, 2004 fi'om residents of the Savamah Oaks senior apartment building regarding noise and speed concerns fi'om 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 limks 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 M~zDOT 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 soatheast of Dysprosium Street approaching the TH 47 intersection. The speed limits for CSAH 5 have just been reviewed by MnDOT, and. are being discussed as another issue on this evex~ng~s Public Works Committee agenda. The speed limit on Dysprosium Street is 30 miles per hour. The residents have also suggested consideration Of a noise 'mitigation barrier. I~ order to effectively reduce noise levels a solid barrier must be constructed betwveen the line of sight of the soLtrce of the noise and the receptor site (the apartment building). Becafise the apam-nent building is considerably higher than the road, it would be [eclmically and economically infeasible to construct a solid walt sufficiently high to effectively reduce the noise level. The residents suggest that plantings may help to buffer the noise. ~ Plantings are effective in buffering visual impact of the roadway, but are sigmific~ntly less-effective in providing noise reduction. In any event there are a number of e-qer~een and deciduous trees along the CSAH 5 between the highway and the building. Enforcement of noise standards is an area which could be effective in improving the situation. Certainly, enibrcement can be rnofe effectively focused if it can be assisted.by the residents of the apam-nent building in providing the Police department with information. Residents should be encouraged to report loud vehicles and'inappropriate acceleration to the police along with vehicle description mhd peak activity periods, if possible. Recommeudatio n: Staff recommends that the residents report inappropriate activities to the police and that the police concentrate patrol efforts during 'problem periods identified by apartment residents.