Residents who have long complained about excessive noise emanating from Kent’s Land O’Lakes facilities may soon get some relief.
The company recently announced plans to replace the entire cooling tower mechanism that is believed to be the source of the noise and to erect new sound barriers. The company will also fabricate and install structural steel to support the additional weight of new partitions that will be positioned around the new cooling tower structure.
Attorney Michael Ciaravino, retained by Kent to represent the city’s interests vis-a-vis Land O’Lakes, informed city officials and residents who live near the facility late last week that the company’s board of directors has authorized a multi-million dollar investment. Work is expected to be complete by the end of the summer, he stated in an email city officials forwarded to The Portager.
Nearby residents and city officials say the noise, described as a low rumbling or droning sound, has been ongoing since mid-2022.
City Manager Dave Ruller lauded Land O’Lakes’ plans as “good news for residents and the Kent community. It signals Land O’Lakes’ commitment to be a good neighbor and appears to reflect Land O’Lakes’ plans to be a major employer in Kent for years to come,” he said.
Council Member Robin Turner, whose ward includes the Land O’Lakes facility and surrounding neighborhoods, commended the corporation for investing millions of dollars in a project it was not legally obligated to undertake.
“We are so appreciative of Land O’Lakes,” he said. “They have demonstrated that they are an excellent corporate citizen for our community. They did something they were not compelled to do, but they acted in the interest of the community. They were willing to work with us and with that neighborhood to come to that conclusion, and there are a lot of businesses that would not have done it.”
Turner also congratulated the people who live in nearby neighborhoods “for staying the course and fighting for their quality of life.”
Robert Shaffer, a resident of the nearby Golden Pond senior living community, said he is glad the company is working with the community. He and some of his neighbors had voiced their concerns to Kent city leaders, but were uncertain if any resolution could be reached.
“We’re happy with them taking this on, and [that they are] going to conquer this. We’re looking forward to being good neighbors with them, and we just hope the future is bright,” he said.
Wendy DiAlesandro is a former Record Publishing Co. reporter and contributing writer for The Portager.