Frustrated by noise, idling, and debris from the new house going up next door?

The city has released a 12-page document designed to help neighbors address issues that could arise during residential construction: detailing steps to prepare, how to handle common construction management problems, and what to do if they experience property damage.

Southwest Council Member Linea Palmisano helped lead the effort, after initiating a moratorium on teardowns in five neighborhoods that was later lifted with the launching of a construction management plan to improve relations between builders and residents.

"While the toolkit was put together by my office, it is intended to be useful to all Minneapolis residents," Palmisano wrote in an email to residents today.

The so-called toolkit spells out responsibilities of various divisions at City Hall that oversee construction issues, such as the zoning administration, construction code services, development review, public works, traffic control, and environmental services. Residents should still call the 311 hotline, rather than individual departments, according to the report.

The document urges residents to ask for a site plan and land survey. It also encourages people to attend pre-construction meetings that developers are required to hold with neighbors within 300 feet of the site, armed with questions about how work can be coordinated so trucks don't block the street and when materials will be delivered so noise doesn't disrupt residents.

The city advises anyone hearing excessive construction noise to reach out to 311, and 911 in extreme cases. When possible, the city says, take photos, audio or video with the incident with a time and date stamp, so that Environmental Services can follow up with the builder and issue a citation when warranted.