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Resident raises air-traffic noise concerns; council and staff outline airport construction schedule and complaint route
Summary
A resident raised concerns about broader aircraft approach patterns and increased noise in Apple Valley during public comment; city staff said runway construction at the nearby airport and a two-phase schedule explain the changed patterns and offered to connect the resident with the city’s MAC noise representative.
APPLE VALLEY, Minn. — During the April 24 audience-participation period a resident raised concerns about increased aircraft noise and changes in approach paths over Apple Valley and asked how residents can join the ongoing conversation.
Resident Dave Walstead said he lives near Eastview High School and that recent flight paths appear ‘‘spread all over the city’’ compared with previous tight approaches he recalled from earlier meetings. Walstead said he filed a formal complaint with MAC a few days before the council meeting and that he had reviewed prior council minutes to learn more about the issue.
Council and staff responses explained the city’s role and provided near-term operational context. A council member noted that John Bergerman represents Apple Valley and several suburban cities on the MAC noise oversight committee but was not at the meeting; staff offered to connect Walstead with Bergerman. City staff explained that current runway construction at the airport has changed traffic patterns and listed the contractor schedule: construction began Monday, April 14 and will run through May 23, with a second phase expected to start August 18 and run through September 26. Staff said the two-phase schedule — with a gap in late spring/early summer — makes the 2025 disruption less extensive than last summer’s continuous closure.
Staff also said the airport has been ‘‘fanning’’ traffic to avoid concentrating noise over a single neighborhood, which can result in different neighborhoods experiencing increased overflights during construction. Walstead confirmed he had filed a complaint with MAC and had not yet received a response.
No formal council action was taken on the matter at the meeting; staff offered to connect the resident with the city’s MAC representative and to point him to past meeting videos and minutes for additional background.
