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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – May 5, 2021 9 Commissioner Jeffreys commented on the amount of noise cars make when waiting in the drive thru line and noted this was a concern to her. Chair Vijums indicated he had less concerns about the noise coming from the cars because there were only a few months out of the year that drivers could drive with their windows down. He stated he was more concerned about the noise that would be coming from the rooftop units. Mr. Lark reported this was a commercially zoned property and he was meeting the City’s setback requirements. He was hopeful that the noise issue would be less of a concern from a building standpoint. He explained he wanted to be a good neighbor and noted Chick -fil-A would be open only till 10:00 p.m. and would be closed on Sundays, where Perkins was open 24/7. There being no additional comment Chair Vijums closed the public hearing at 8:07 p.m. Chair Vijums stated he would like to add several conditions for approval. He proposed Chick -fil-A move the order stations from the west side of the drive through to the northeast side. In addition, he supported the applicant completing a noise study once the building is constructed to see what type of noise is being generated by the use. Commissioner Wicklund expressed concern with forcing Chick -fil-A to change their drive thru. He reported Chick -fil-A had more expertise with the operation of a drive thru than the City did and he supported Chick -fil-A’s proven business model. Mr. Lark reported he spends a great deal of time testing and planning for sites. He explained the proposed location for the order stations would maximize the efficiency and flow on the site. Chair Vijums questioned if some sort of structure should be required along the property line to block the menu boards and speaker sound from the hotel. Commissioner Weber asked if a sound wall would be allowed along the property line. Mr. Lark stated in other locations a wind screen has been installed to create a buffer between the drive thru and the adjacent property. Chair Vijums supported some sort of noise screening being put in place between the drive thru and the hotel property. He suggested a condition be made for approval stating some sort of noise screening be required between the ordering station and the hotel. Commissioner Wicklund stated he could support this recommendation. Chair Vijums stated he also supported the applicant being required to complete a noise study on the building after constructed. Planning Consultant Kansier reported the building would have to follow MPCA decibel level requirements. Commissioner Wicklund indicated he did not support the City making this requirement. Rather, he recommended the noise concerns be brought to the Council given the fact they would have the final say in the matter. He suggested that if a condition was drafted that it read: Noise levels must meet MPCA guidelines for this Planning Case.