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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – April 7, 2021 4 <br />Mr. Hale stated this was correct. <br />Commissioner Lambeth questioned if the mechanical penthouse was created after receiving <br />feedback from the neighbors. <br />Mr. Hale commented this design was proposed to address the comment and concerns regarding <br />sound raised by the neighbors. <br />Commissioner Subramanian inquired why Building 14 was selected for expansion. <br />Loren Rothbauer, Director of Facilities for Boston Scientific, reported an extensive process was <br />taken on to determine where lithium battery growth should be managed on the Boston Scientific <br />campus. He explained his team looked internationally, elsewhere in the United States and at three <br />different locations on the Arden Hills campus. In the end, it was determined the best location was <br />adjacent to the existing dry room. <br />Commissioner Subramanian questioned if the proposed mechanical penthouse could be located <br />elsewhere. <br />Mr. Hale indicated the site south of Building 14 would be constrained vertically and by the Rice <br />Creek Watershed. For this reason, he requested the mechanical penthouse be allowed to remain <br />on the proposed building. <br />Joseph Ford, RSV Architects, discussed the grading around Building 14 and noted there was a <br />steep drop surrounding the building. He commented there was a functional advantage to have the <br />mechanical equipment overhead versus being off to the side. He reported the mechanical <br />penthouse was approximately 8,500 square feet in size. <br />Commissioner Subramanian inquired what provisions were in place to ensure the noise levels <br />would remain within the allowed limits. <br />Mr. Hale stated the evaluation completed by ESI this year showed the current noise levels were <br />within the City’s standards. He discussed the calculations that were completed to estimate future <br />noise levels. He reported an additional noise study would be completed after the project was <br />done to verify Boston Scientific has stayed within MPCA requirements. <br />Commissioner Weber commented he walked the trail the other day and noted the loudest noise <br />he heard was coming from the air equipment on the northwest corner of Building 14. He asked if <br />it was the intent to move this equipment. <br />Mr. Hale explained the intent would be to remove this equipment in order to have a new system <br />that would be installed in the mechanical penthouse. <br />Mr. Rothbauer discussed the existing equipment that was attached to Building 14 and noted the <br />processed chilled water system would be removed altogether, which would help reduce noise <br />levels.