05-05-21 Planning Commission - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – April 7, 2021 6 Commissioner Lambeth inquired if Mr. Mills did any due diligence regarding the Boston Scientific campus prior to closing on his home. Mr. Mills stated he has lived in this exact neighborhood since 2009. Commissioner Lambeth commented then, that Mr. Mills would have been aware of the noise coming from this facility before he closed on the house. Mr. Mills explained, at the time, the noise being exhibited is different than the noise that was being projected two years ago due to a number of factors. He discussed how the removal of Boston Scientific trees to the west and south had adversely impacted the noise levels to adjacent residential property owners. Commissioner Lambeth questioned if the trash removal from Boston Scientific was early and loud. Mr. Mills reported this was the case. Chair Vijums encouraged Commissioner Lambeth to keep his line of questioning focused on the proposed building expansion and noted the garbage removal situation could be handled by staff with Boston Scientific. Commissioner Lambeth pointed out that Building 14 was not built until 2007/2008, which was 10 years earlier than Mr. Mills moved into his home. Mr. Mills stated he did not appreciate the interrogation from Commissioner Lambeth. He discussed the letter that was sent to the City on behalf of himself and his neighbors. Todd Vandeburg, 1266 Winridge Drive, explained he lived 42 years from the proposed addition. He reported he had noise concerns with Building 14 and noted these concerns were brought to the City in 2007. At that time, it was determined Boston Scientific was not in compliance with MPCA requirements and a noise study was completed. He noted he attended this noise study. He indicated he was not invited back for the second noise test. He requested a noise test be added for the enclosed mechanical room for Building 14. He stated noise concerns date back to 2007 when the last addition was put onto Building 14. He recommended Boston Scientific be held to the highest level of accountability given the fact this manufacturing plant abuts a residential neighborhood. Maria Peters, 1250 Winridge Drive, clarified the letter sent to the City by Mr. Mills was signed by all the members of the community, including herself. She noted she supported this communication. She explained she moved into her home on June 29, 2015. She discussed how she was woken up by the noise coming from Boston Scientific her first night in her house. David Brown, 1292 Winridge Drive, explained he has lived in his home since June of 2002. He reported one of the goals for moving into his home was to not have neighbors right next to him and to not have any disturbing noises. He stated he was concerned about how the new building height would impact the view from his property. He indicated he was concerned about the lack of screening and/or buffering along the west property line. He recommended the landscaping plan