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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL – JULY 25, 2016 4 Mr. Lindeberg described where noise walls would be constructed south of County Road J. He reviewed the voting and public meeting process that would occur for the noise walls. He reported the current sound wall in front of Arden Manor would remain as is. Councilmember Holden discussed the noise wall at County Road C. She requested further information regarding the noise wall voting process. Mr. Lindeberg explained those people living between 300 and 500 feet to the freeway would be receiving a ballot for the noise wall voting process. He indicated those living further than 500 feet would not receive a ballot. He described the ballot in further detail with the Council. Mayor Grant questioned why MnDOT was using a balloting process when this had not been done in the past. Mr. Lindeberg reported MnDOT has a new noise wall approval process. He described the cost effective measures that must be met in order for a noise wall to be constructed. Councilmember Wicklund asked who would be paying for the noise wall. Mr. Lindeberg indicated the noise walls would be covered by MnDOT. Councilmember McClung requested further information regarding the timing or phasing of the project phasing. Mr. Lindeberg discussed the project phasing with the Council noting southbound I-35W would be completed first. Councilmember McClung understood there would be lane and closures during the four years the project took place; however, he wanted to be sure that Arden Hills’ residents would be able to access I-35W throughout the entire span of the project. Mr. Lindeberg described the lane closures in further detail but noted MnDOT would be working to maintain access. He discussed the short and long-term ramp closures with the Council. Mayor Grant opened the public hearing at 7:46 p.m. Nancy Dunlap, 3923 Rolling Hills Road, expressed concern with the proposed location of the noise walls. She feared that her neighborhood (Valentine Hills) would not have a noise wall because she was more than 350 feet from the freeway. She then described how the freeway noise was amplified off the lake into her neighborhood and feared a concrete freeway would be even noisier than the asphalt roadway. She questioned how the noise wall studies were completed by MnDOT. Mr. Lindeberg described how MnDOT conducted the noise wall studies. He reported the homes in the Valentine Hills neighborhood were quite far from the freeway and would not realize a benefit from a sound wall. For this reason, MnDOT determined a noise wall would not be effective in this area.