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From: <br />amybherman <br />To: <br />Laura Oakden <br />Cc: <br />Matt Herman <br />Subject: <br />North Arm access redesign <br />Date: <br />Tuesday, September 23, 2025 1:30:00 PM <br />Laura: <br />Bob Tunheim recommended that I contact you regarding concerns about the North Arm access <br />redesign planned by Hennepin County. My husband, Matt, and I have lived across from the <br />North Arm access for more than 25 years. We appreciate Hennepin County's work to improve <br />the North Arm access, but have deep concerns about elements of the redesign that encourage <br />commercial and industrial use of the access. Here is an overview of our concerns: <br />Objection to dedicated commercial barge launch <br />• Commercial and industrial water vehicles regularly use the landing; clear, enforceable <br />commercial -use policies are needed. <br />• The North Arm access is already congested and sits adjacent to homes and private docks; the <br />area is not suitable for large barge loads or frequent commercial traffic. <br />• A dedicated vertical access for barges will increase congestion, safety risks, parking pressure in <br />nearby neighborhoods and may escalate tension between recreational users and commercial <br />businesses. <br />• Commercial operators should use marinas or launches designed for heavy loading and parking, <br />not a small, residential public landing close to a busy channel. <br />Preserve natural buffers <br />• Trees and shrubs currently screen parking and reduce noise for nearby homes. <br />• Removing the buffer will expose the area to parking and traffic noise, reduce privacy, harm water <br />quality and degrade the character of the neighborhood. <br />• Retain the existing vegetation or replace it with equivalent buffer. <br />Limit new infrastructure <br />• Longer docks, a vertical access for barges and expanded parking risk changing the landing from <br />low -impact recreational use to a high impact commercial and industrial access hub. <br />• Minimize infrastructure to preserve the residential, recreational focus and maintain traffic flow at <br />the Hendrickson Channel. <br />Trash and litter prevention <br />• Removing trash receptacles will worsen the problem with litter. <br />• Keep clearly marked trash bins, post anti -dumping signage, and ensure regular county <br />maintenance. <br />Requests to the committee <br />153 <br />