4. Update on US Postal Service Carrier Annex-- y
CITY OF `
CHANHASSEN
690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317
(612) 937 -1900 • FAX (612) 937 -5739
MEMORANDUM
TO: Don Ashworth, City Manager
FROM: Sharmin Al -Jaff, Planner II
DATE: March 24, 1997
SUBJ: Update on Postal Service Annex
On March 11, 1997, a neighborhood meeting was held in the Council Chambers to brief the Bluff
Creek Estates Neighborhood and the City on the results of the noise study analysis which will be
generated by the postal service annex and its impact on the adjoining residential neighborhood to
the south. Tom Scott, City attorney facilitated the meeting. Mr. David Braslau. Sound
Consultant, presented the findings of the study and concluded that if an 8 foot high fence was
constructed above the existing berm, the shielding of the adjacent residents from the noise will be
improved. The berm and fence will need to be extended onto the National Weather Service site
to insure the effectiveness of the shielding.
Laura Grgich, Project Architect, presented the berm and landscape plan and stated that there will
be a total of 100 trees planted on the berm. Bushes will also be planted with 70% to 80% of the
vegetation located south of the proposed fence facing the residential neighborhood.
The Postal Service Annex intends to occupy the building no later than June 15, 1997. They hope
to complete the landscaping in the middle to the end of May, weather permitting. The height of
the berm will conform to the recommendation made in the noise study.
Mayor Mancino requested that the postal service develop a "Neighborhood Best Practices"
policy. Brian Marshall, with the Postal Service Annex committed to educating the employees to
insure minimum noise is created by the facility.
Outstanding Issues:
The trail which is currently buried under the berm, located south of the parking lot for the
Postal Service Annex, must be relocated. Approximately 350 feet of the trail must be
Mr. Don Ashworth
March 24, 1997
Page 2
reconstructed. The issue of who should pay for the relocation of the trail is still
outstanding. Tom Scott is negotiating this matter with the Postal Service.
2. The extension of the berm on to the National Weather Service (NWS) site requires
permission from the NWS. Staff spoke to Mr. Craig Edwards, with the NWS, and was
informed that they have no objection to it. However, he explained that they lease the site
and additionally the matter must be coordinated with the owner of the property. Staff has
been trying unsuccessful in reaching the contact person, Mr. Brian Benick, to discuss this
matter. We believe that we will be able to discuss this issue with Mr. Benick prior to the
City Council meeting and will give the City Council a verbal update.
3. The fence will need to be extended 90 feet onto the NWS site. Again, the NWS has no
objection to this construction, however, we need to discuss the matter with Mr. Benick.
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C - IFBELL , IJIUTSON , SCOTT & FUCHS , P . A Mar 19 , a7 15:04 Nr . 00; P.02
09/18/97 TLTE 17 ;a8 FAX 61Y4486219 MARATHON COMMUNICATIONS 11001
William B. Kemble
1782 Valley Ridge "Frail North
Chanhassen, MN 55317
612 -448 -3023 home
612 - 448-6208 office
612- 448 -6219 fax
March '1 B, 1997
Mr, Tom Scott
Campbell, Knutson. Sett & Fuchs
1380 Corporate Center. Suite 317
Eagan, MN 55 121
Dear Tom.
Thank you again for continuing to negotiate resolutions regarding the Ch,mhassen Postal Service
annex. i finally feel like we are malting it bit of progress.
I believe that completing the action items from the aciohhbothood meeting last week virtually
covers the majority of the residents' remaining concerns. We would like to have a final review of
the landscaping plans prior to the city council approving than, The details we would like to
confinn include;
Weather Service approval ofbcrm, fence and vegetation on NOAA property.
• $earn heights /elevations at each 100 foot interval from anti -to -end. These figures should
reflect the balm at its finished height, not in its present rough stare. if these cannot be
provided by the Postal Service, we would like the city to perform its own stuvey to
determine the desired elevations.
• Location of trail, and impact of trail relocation to existing trees, if any_
• USPS commitment in principle to establishing the ongoing enforcement ofgenoral
employee Ki d site noise control, referred to as "neighborhood best practice, ". This will be
best fuialized with local annex management rather than Brian Marshall, and the details can
be determined when appropriate prior to the opening of the facility.
Please keep me posted as always,
Sincerely,
, a �,
William B. Komblc
cc Don Ashworth. City of Chanhassen