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Resident urges flight dispersion as Mendota Heights commission reviews MSP runway noise report
Summary
The Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission heard a Metropolitan Airports Commission report noting increased noise complaints tied to Runways 12L/12R. A resident urged dispersing departures away from neighborhoods; commissioners asked MAC and FAA-related questions and requested more complaint-location detail.
Chair Norling called the Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission to order at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday and the panel reviewed a Metropolitan Airports Commission report on Runway 12L/12R departure operations that highlighted an uptick in noise complaints from Mendota Heights residents.
Scott Norling, of 1280 Lakeview Ave, presented a resident-produced diagram of local flight paths and asked the commission to seek “better dispersion” for departures from Runways 12L and 12R so flights avoid residential areas and, if possible, use a nearby industrial area instead. His remarks were followed by an introduction from Harvey Arbit, who identified himself as the commission’s newest member.
Ryan Anderson presented the MAC Runway 12L/12R Departure Operations Report, describing recent departure activity and noise-monitoring findings and saying the report showed an increase in complaints. Commissioners pressed staff and the presenter on how complaint counts are compiled, the difference between modeled noise contours and recorded sound events, and the Federal Aviation Administration’s role in flight dispersion and noise management. City staff said MAC continues to work with the FAA and uses both modeled and measured data in its reporting and that the commission had requested additional information about where complaints were concentrated.
City Administrator Jacobson asked commissioners to review the draft ARC 2026 work plan and consider items for the next meeting. The commission acknowledged the upcoming Noise Oversight Committee listening session and made no comment on the NOC monthly summaries for September through December 2025.
A motion to adjourn by Commissioner Dunn, seconded by Commissioner Sloan, carried as recorded, and Chair Norling adjourned the meeting at 7:25 p.m.
What’s next: Commissioners asked staff to seek more granular complaint-location data from MAC and to place any proposed work-plan additions on the next meeting agenda.
