12-03-25 PC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – December 3, 2025 6 Senior Planner Fransen reported this was City owned property. Commissioner Burlingame stated it appears the noise was coming from the garbage haulers, hissing from filling tanks, and the HVAC systems on the roof. Ms. Door commented there was dock noise and noise coming from the northwest corner of the building where mechanical equipment was being exhausted out. She noted the third noise source was coming from the argon tanks and the last noise source was coming from the rooftop units. Commissioner Erler inquired if the proposed noise wall would assist with addressing the rooftop noise, given that the sound wall would only be 21 feet tall and Building 14 was taller. Ms. Door reported most of the building was at a lower elevation and the proposed sound wall would screen the equipment that was on the lower elevation portion of the roof. Commissioner Erler anticipated that Boston Scientific had modeling that showed the sound would be reduced by the proposed sound wall. Ms. Door explained Boston Scientific has completed multiple sound analyses with all of the equipment on the roof and the loading dock area and she sees a range of noise mitigation reduced. Tony Baxter, ESI Engineering, explained he was the sound engineer working with Boston Scientific. He commented further on how the proposed noise wall would reduce noise for the surrounding neighborhood. Ms. Door reported the proposed noise wall would create significant sound reductions. Commissioner Lindau questioned if the sound wall is necessary if the other improvements listed on Attachment G were completed to the rooftop units. Ms. Door commented Boston Scientific was currently meeting all of the City’s requirements and the proposed HVAC unit replacements would assist in reducing noise. She indicated Boston Scientific was proposing to complete the sound wall in good faith in order to create a buffer between Boston Scientific and the adjacent neighbors. Commissioner Lindau inquired if tree plantings would be a solution versus the proposed wall. Mr. Baxter reported a few trees would not be effective. He explained a deep forest would be needed in order to impact the noise levels. He commented further on how the proposed sound wall would create noise reductions from the loading dock area. Commissioner Lindau questioned if the noise wall had to be so close to the trail. Ms. Door stated the studies have shown this would be the best location for noise mitigation as well as the proposed height for visuals. Mr. Baxter stated the sound wall would be more effective at this location and would take advantage of the hill.