WILLMAR -- Two north side and near-downtown property owners think train horns are too loud, and they'd like the Willmar City Council to study the possibility of reducing the noise level.
Bruce Peterson, director of planning and development services, said the issue of loud train horns was raised two to three years ago.
"It appears the public is growing uneasy about the noise,'' Peterson told the council's Community Development Committee Thursday night. "Some people think there are issues with noise.''
The committee discussed the issue after Mayor Les Heitke received an e-mail from Joe Ulferts who lives with his family at 315 Ninth St. S.W. His e-mail, which was presented to committee members, said a federal regulation was passed in April that allows for "quiet zones'' where certain restrictions are placed on the noise produced by train horns.
"There is a reality that noise is an issue for housing in the areas west and north of downtown,'' wrote Ulferts. "As you contemplate initiatives to improve downtown, please explore ways of decreasing noise levels whenever possible because it is directly linked to the quality of life and housing in these areas, which impacts the image of downtown.''
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Another e-mail, written by Brad Bloomquist, 1112 Campbell Ave. N.W., asked if anyone has proposed declaring Willmar a quiet zone. He wrote that many other surrounding communities have successfully done this.
"We can reduce the noise, but we have to go through a process,'' said Peterson.
Committee member Jim Dokken suggested a representative of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway be asked to attend a meeting and explain the railroad's policy of using train horns.
"These people need an answer,'' said committee member Ron Christianson. "It is a quality-of-life issue.''
In other business, the committee discussed how the city could address a local resident's concern about urban lights washing out the night sky. The concern was raised a couple of months ago at a council meeting, and the issue was referred to the committee for a recommendation.
Peterson said city ordinance specifies that lighting be directed onto a particular property and that light-spill onto adjacent property is to be avoided. The ordinance does not address ambient lighting, which is background lighting, he said.
He said the ordinance refers to development projects that include public projects, but does not address street lighting.
Committee chairman Bruce DeBlieck said the city should limit what he called "fugitive'' light. "You've got to start at some point and move forward,'' he said.
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Peterson said he would study ways to address the issue and return with a recommendation.
