09-24-2001 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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noise level of 78 dB at 50 feet, which translates to 96 db at 6 feel and 102 dB at 3 feet But machines come through in batches, gunning their engines, and the noise was amplified between houses only 25 feet apart. In our bathroom, it was so loud it seemed like the mirrors were going to fall off the walls. Machines came within seven feel of the head of our bed. It was truly horrific. The volume of traflic, as proven last February, would make snowmobile use in the fire lane imcompatibte with any reasonMe qmattty of life. We thank the City for temporally closing the lane at its March 12 meeting. It mu.st now be closed permanently. We have the right to be safe. Snowmobiles would make us prisoners in our own home. Last Febmary, I had to gel out of the way of one while just trying to walk around our house. I could sec the machine coming, but a grandchild might not. The City cannot permit a family to be exposed to such risk. Safety is an issue for snowmobilcrs as We could accidentally hit one while exiting our driveway. We oHcn have to wait several minutes for traflic to clear before we can exit onto HW 19. Cars whiz by on the passing lane. The grade up to the highway and snow drills make exiting on a snowmobile unacceptably hazardous. Do we have a right to privacy? One can stand in the fire lane and be only ten feet from our lakeside bedroom window. At the August 27 Council Meeting, we learned of a closed meeting on June 28 to discuss the feasibility of a floating bridge in Coffee Channel. From the public record, the fire lane by our hou.se was discu.s.scd repeatedly, and Ron Moorsc had to remind the participants we were not present to give our inpu.. Invited to the meeting wea* officials of Orono, Hennepin County, Spring Park, LMCD and two others. One, Bob Albertson is a neighbor, and the other. David Albertson, was not identified by address or telephone num jcr. Jay Nygard may also have been there as a citizen, since he is identified by his address aixl not as a Council member. It is interesting that these three were in the fire lane with a Channel 5 news crew on March 20. At the meeting. Bob Albertson made some important comments. He said the fire lane is the only option, but that fences for noise and speed bumps would be needed. .Moreover, the City should buy out the residents. Indeed, buying us out would be necessary, since the noise barriers would have to be built on the adjacent pn^rties. Jay Nygard said he doesn’t think kids should sled into the fire lane. Maybe they shouldn’t, but should we have to fear for the safety of grandchildren playing in our yard? This discussion, together with our experience last February, makes it imperative the lane be closed as long as the adjacent properties arc owned by residents.