06-24-08 Worksession HRA/CC/PCJ
SPECIAL HOUSING-AND
REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY/
CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING COMMISSION
WORKSESSION MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special-Worksession of the HRA/
City Council /Planning Commission
June 24, 2008
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Goettel at 6:25 p.m.
ROLL CALL
HRA Members
Present: Sue Sandahl Chair; Joan Helmberger; Martin Kirsch; David Gepner; and
Doris Rubenstein.
Council Members
Present: Debbie Goettel, Mayor; Susan Rosenberg; Fred Wroge; Sue Sandahl; and
Bill Kilian.
Planning Commission
Members Present: Gordon Hanson; Dennis Schuller;- and Jeffrey Karr.
Staff Present: Steven L. Devich, Executive Director; John Stark, Interim Community
Development Director; Christine Costello, Community Development
Coordinator; Rick Regnier, Chief Building Official; Pam Dmytrenko,
Assistant to the City Manager; Corrine Heine, City Attorney; and Cheryl
Krumholz, Recording Secretary.
Item #1 DISCUSSION REGARDING AIRPORT CONSENT DECREE (HRA MEMO NO. 17/
COUNCIL MEMO NO. 102)
Special Worksession Minutes -2- June 24, 2008
Assistant to the City Manager Dmytrenko stated the discussion this evening is related to the
obligations of the City per the consent decree resulting from the City's litigation with the
Metropolitan Airport Commission (MAC). As part of the airport noise settlement with the cities of
Richfield, Minneapolis and Eagan, each community is required to propose to each of their City
Councils by September 1, 2008, a draft zoning ordinance requiring (1) attenuation and air
conditioning or ventilation for new homes in the DNL 63-63 and higher contours; (2) noise
attenuation for additions to homes in the DNL 63-64; and (3) air conditioning or ventilation for new
homes in the DNL 60-62. The purpose of the Worksession is to provide the Council with the pros
and cons of a potential .airport noise ordinance that would require homeowners to meet certain
standards for home improvements. Alternatives to an ordinance will be discussed such as
providing notification to homeowners that they are located in an airport noise impact area, and
allowing the homeowner to decide on whether they want to insulate their homes for noise when
adding on additions or building a new home.
City Attorney Heine explained the airport consent decree ordinance language needs to be
presented to the City Council but not necessarily adopted in that form. The City Council needs to
make their best judgment on what is suitable to the City.
City Attorney Heine pointed out that a separate issue relates to the Metropolitan Council's
Regional Transportation Plan which identifies the need for regulations to address noise mitigation
in the DNL 60 contour or higher in new home construction. The Richfield Comprehensive Plan is
expected to conform and implement this with an ordinance.
Community Development Coordinator Costello discussed the sound transmission class
rating, its impact on building materials and where those materials can be purchased. She also
reviewed the concerns and options with adopting the airport ordinance from the consent decree.
Council Member Wroge asked about mitigation for new homes only.
City Attorney Heine explained the consent decree addresses an obligation to new homes
and additions to existing homes but Richfield is not required to adopt an ordinance in that form.
Mayor Goettel asked about getting information to residents.
Council Member Kilian stated there are approximately 700 homes eligible for this type of
mitigation.
Chief Building Official Regnier discussed the challenges of notifying local contractors in
advance and the extra requirements when they bid on a project. Acoustical doors and windows
are the most costly.
Council Member Wroge suggested a certified letter be sent as notification to the
homeowners.
Council Member Sandahl stated the homeowner could not be required to do anything and
the City only make suggestions and recommendations.
Council Member Kilian suggested residents be required to obtain bids to compare costs
and alternatives for soundproofing.
City Attorney Heine stated the City Council is not required to adopt any particular ordinance
in response to the consent decree.
Special Worksession Minutes -3- June 24, 2008
Council Member Sandahl suggested including recommendations for mitigation for new
home construction and more costly remodeling projects.
City Attorney Heine explained the City Council could distinguish the types of remodeling
projects. She said it was unknown if recommendations versus requirements would be sufficient to
meet the Metropolitan Council's noise mitigation guidelines.
Council Member Kilian suggested noise mitigation be mandated if all windows are replaced
and/or the space has year. round occupancy.
City Attorney Heine responded that there are evasion possibilities that need to be
considered.
Commissioner Helmberger asked about mitigation requirements or exceptions at point-of-
sale inspections.
Chief Building Official Regnier responded that it would depend upon how the ordinance is
written.
Council Member Wroge stated that if mitigation is part of the inspection program, everyone
would be required to meet the ordinance.
Commissioner Rubenstein asked about the testing done related to the noise contour
difference .between the 2005 and 2007 maps.
Assistant to the City Manager. Dmytrenko explained that MAC prepares the maps from five
years previous data and projects into the future.
City Attorney Heine explained the schedule to present the ordinance to the City Council to
satisfy the consent decree.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:53 p.m.
Date Approved: Juiy 21, 2008
tom- /~'f
Sandahl n w
Cheryl Kfumholz~
Recording Secretary
L. Devich -
ve Director