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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, June 13, 2011 Page 13 11. Public Hearings Councilmember Johnson asked that, in their study of traffic management options, the PWET Commission also consider crosswalks, especially those on larger roads with multiple lanes and right turning traffic, and visual /safety concerns. Member Stenlund noted, from his experience, the difficulty in solving those con- cerns, when dealing with fractured communities and landscapes and the blurring of community lines; while attempting to maintain traffic flow and keep pede- strians safe. Member Stenlund noted the need for safe oasis for everyone to get across, since not everyone can cross a wide street with multiple lanes in one sig- nal light change, and the need to accommodate those pedestrians. Mayor Roe concurred, noting that drivers were not necessarily doing what they needed to do to ensure pedestrian safety, especially before turning right; and the need to be conscious of how you were driving and the reason for rules of the road for vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycles. Further discussion on neighborhood traffic management included options, such as speed humps and pedestrian crosswalks; traffic speed through residential neigh- borhoods; pros and cons of closures of neighborhood roads to eliminate cut through traffic. Councilmember Willmus opined that everyone needed to be cognizant as a first ring suburb in the number of vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles now and in the fu- ture; not to restrict them but to move them more efficiently and safely. Mayor Roe opined that the policy discussion needed to identify consistent criteria, when it was appropriate to close a road as a solution; and what conditions or stan- dards were applied consistently for those types of decisions, not just responding to passionate citizen input, but based on best practices. Mayor Roe looked to the PWET Commission to point the City and City Council in the right direction. a. Conduct a Public Hearing for a Variance to the Noise Ordinance to Extend Construction Activity Hours at the Rosedale Square Shopping Center Permit Coordinator Don Munson briefly summarized the request as detailed in the RCA dated June 13, 2011. Mr. Munson advised that mailed notices of tonight's Public Hearing were provided to properties within 500' of the site; but to -date, staff had received no phone calls. Mr. Munson advised that representatives from Welsh Companies, the applicant, and Minnesota Roadways, the contractor, were in the audience and available for questions as applicable. Mayor Roe opened the Public Hearing at 7:29 p.m. for the purpose of hearing public comment on the request for a variance to the City's Noise Ordinance to ex- tend construction activity hours at Rosedale Square Shopping Center, 1601