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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – December 3, 2025 2 use in medical devices. A PUD Amendment was required for the proposed addition to Building 14. The PUD Amendment request included flexibility from the Zoning Code for the proposed height of 40 feet for a penthouse addition to enclose roof-mounted mechanical equipment. As part of the land use application process, the Applicant held a neighborhood meeting with residents and presented the concept at a City Council Work Session. Senior Planner Fransen explained Boston Scientific Corporation (BSC) applied for site plan review to construct a noise barrier wall along a portion of the northwest corner of the Arden Hills corporate campus. The stated purpose of the wall is to further reduce the level of noise generated from Building 14 that reaches neighboring residential properties. While study documents submitted by BSC demonstrate the operation meets local noise compliance requirements, the noise barrier wall is intended to further mitigate sound from daily operational noise including loading dock-related noise. The proposed noise barrier wall is approximately 576 lineal feet with a varied height of 8 feet to 21 feet to accommodate existing grade changes. The proposed north leg of the wall runs 200 feet from east to west, and the southwest leg runs 376 feet from north to south. The proposed materials are precast concrete and pretreated wood. The proposed wall location is offset 17 feet from the nearest property line which is shared with City-owned property where a trail is located. To construct the wall, the Applicant proposes to remove significant trees in the area and make landscaping improvements on both sides of the proposed wall. Senior Planner Fransen reported at the June 23, 2025, City Council work session, the Applicant presented a concept of the proposed noise barrier wall to garner feedback. Discussion topics included the height of the wall in relation to Building 14 and the neighboring residential properties; the sources of noise at Building 14, and changes to the landscaping. The City Council directed the Applicant to hold a neighborhood meeting and present the concept to and answer questions from the adjacent neighborhood. On July 29, 2025, having followed the City’s policy for noticing neighboring properties, the Applicant held a neighborhood meeting and presented the noise barrier wall concept. Comments were made about the different sources generating noise at Building 14, including rooftop mechanical equipment and delivery and vendor vehicles accessing the loading dock area in the northeast corner of the building. Attendees asked questions about the proposed wall height and location and if these would be sufficient for noise mitigation, the visual impact of the wall, and the impact of a barrier wall to neighboring property values. The Applicant states updates were made to the length of the northern leg of the wall, extending it an additional 50 feet to the east in response to comments. A follow-up letter was mailed to neighbors describing next steps to construct the proposed wall and other actions taken to address nuisance noise generated by Building 14 operations. Senior Planner Fransen reviewed the Site Data, the Plan Evaluation and provided the Findings of Fact for review: 1. The Applicant submitted a land use application for a site plan review to construct a noise barrier wall on the Subject Property located at 4100 Hamline Avenue North. 2. The Subject Property is guided as I/O, Light Industrial and Office on the Land Use Plan. 3. The Subject Property is a conforming use in the I-1 Limited Industrial Zoning District and operates under an approved PUD. 4. The Applicant complies with conditions of approval for previous PUD and Site Plan Review requests. 5. The proposed wall would be constructed from treated wood and concrete panel materials. 6. The proposed wall ranges in height from 8 feet to 21 feet as measured from existing grade.