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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – JULY 18, 2016 2 <br /> <br />Mark Lindeberg, MnDOT, provided the Council with an overview on the MnPASS project and <br />noted which bridges would be improved. He explained this project would assist with congestion <br />in the northern suburbs. He reported MnDOT would be seeking municipal consent from nine <br />communities. He indicated the project has an $80 million shortfall at this time. MnDOT was <br />seeking additional funding and was hoping to begin the project in 2019. The phases for the <br />project were reviewed in further detail, and it was noted a portion of the County Road I loop <br />would be closed. It was MnDOT’s hope the project could be completed in three years. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant asked if sound walls were being proposed. <br /> <br />Mr. Lindeberg stated a number of sound walls are being evaluated as a part of this project. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden questioned how MnDOT determined which areas received a sound wall <br />and which did not. <br /> <br />Mr. Lindeberg reported a five decibel noise reduction must be observed in order for a sound wall <br />to be considered. <br /> <br />Further discussion ensued regarding sound walls and potential breaks in the noise walls. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant supported the north bound lanes being completed first followed by the south bound <br />lanes. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden expressed concern with how traffic would be impacted by the closing of <br />on and off ramps. She feared how this would adversely impact Arden Hills residents given the fact <br />ramps would be close through the entire City. <br /> <br />Mr. Lindeberg stated access issues would be addressed but noted ramps would have to be closed <br />in order to keep the project moving along in a timely manner. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung agreed that access in and out of Arden Hills would be crucial during <br />this project. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden thanked MnDOT for pursuing the Arden Hills sign. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant thanked Mr. Lindeberg for his update and encouraged MnDOT to reconsider the <br />ramp closures for this project in order to reduce the impact on Arden Hills’ residents. <br /> <br />B. Opt-Out Ordinance – Temporary Family Health Care Accessory Dwellings <br /> <br />Senior Planner Bachler explained the State legislature passed a bill this session establishing a <br />new permitting process for temporary family health care accessory dwellings. The law specifically <br />applies to dwellings used for short-term care purposes for family members in need of assistance. <br />Under the new regulations, these dwellings would require permitting from the City but would be <br />exempt from certain provisions within the City’s land use and building regulations. The <br />Community Development Department provided comments on the draft legislation to the League <br />of Minnesota Cities noting its concerns about the impacts of the law on public health and safety.