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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - JULY 30, 2007 6 Mayor Harpstead asked if there was any room for berms or grading near the road. Mr. Faraci responded there was wetland up against the road and there would be no room for berms. He stated they have reviewed this with Rice Creek Watershed to get the wetland delineations right, which took about eight months. He noted there were plenty of trees between the vacant spot and where they were proposing to take trees out. Councilmember Grant stated that the applicant takes on the risk that the lots can be sold. He stated that based on information from Ramsey County, it takes at least 50 feet of vegetation to block sound. He asked on lots 3 and 4 how much thick vegetation would be left. Mr. Faraci responded there was a 40 foot setback from the road, so no home would be built in that area and trees would probably not be removed, but he could not guarantee that a future homeowner would not remove any trees. Councilmember Grant reviews the design of lots 1 and 2 that the house has a limited number of possible locations. He asked if there is some way to increase the noise buffering with trees. He states that we do have to put some faith in the applicant that they will want distance from the homes to the highway be the largest possible. Mayor Harpstead stated that the future residents on these lots will come to the City with concerns about noise. Councilmember McClung states that those residents will review the minutes from these meetings and see that this issue was addressed. Councilmember Holden asks if there will be any construction on this part of Snelling that will widen it. Mr. Hoag states that there are no planned improvements in this area from Ramsey County. MOTION: Councihnember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to approve Planning Case 07-015 for a Preliminary Plat of Christensen Estates based on the Findings of Fact and the Submitted Plans as Amended by the Ten Conditions in the July 30, 2007, Planning Case Report. Councilmember Holden stated she was concerned about the existing neighborhood and that was the reason she wanted to keep the ten conditions. States she understands the condition may not be enforceable, but she appreciates the good faith effort. Councilmember Grant states he agrees with condition ten. He was also concerned about the noise and he did not want the area to be disturbed until a home was ready to be built, at which point grading would be needed. Councilmember McClung stated he agrees with Councihnember Holden and Grant. He stated he wants future residents to know that the Council was concerned about the noise to both the neighborhood as well as to their homes and the City could do little once the homes were built to mitigate the noise.