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Council allows short staff exemptions to noise ordinance for public-agency projects
Summary
Roseville’s council amended Chapter 404 to let staff grant short, limited noise exemptions (typically up to three days) for public-agency projects that demonstrate public benefit, while retaining notification requirements and the ability to require conditions; council approved the ordinance and publication of a summary unanimously.
The Roseville City Council voted unanimously March 2 to amend the city’s noise ordinance (Chapter 404) to permit staff-level exemptions for short-term public-agency projects when doing so provides an overall public benefit.
Public Works Director Jesse Fryhammer said the ordinance change is intended to give staff flexibility for brief public-agency work — for example, a one-night county paving closure or a 24-hour manhole rehabilitation — while reserving the formal variance and public-hearing process for longer or privately requested work. "Staff's proposal was to limit it to a maximum of 3 days and there was an overall public benefit," Fryhammer said.
Under the revision staff would still be required to notify residents and the council (seven days' notice was discussed as standard) and could impose conditions on exemptions, such as limiting overnight windows. Fryhammer gave examples including short-term Ramsey County paving or Metropolitan Council utility work that would otherwise be delayed by the variance process.
Councilmembers asked whether staff could place conditions on exemptions; Fryhammer said yes, and that staff can tailor hours or require additional notifications. The ordinance language also standardizes a 500-foot notification radius (correcting a previous 350-foot reference).
After discussion the council adopted the ordinance and then approved publishing a summary of the ordinance; the council noted the publication action requires a supermajority and the vote met that threshold.
