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CANADIAN Real Estate suite 804 Fax(612)904-6147 <br /> PACIFIC (S4Marquette Avenue South <br /> ) <br /> RAILWAY. PO Box 530(55440) <br /> Minneapolis Minnesota <br /> November 4, 2003 <br /> City of St Anthony <br /> Attn: Susan Hall <br /> 3301 Silver Lake Road <br /> St Anthony, MN 55418-1699 <br /> RE: Property Address: Apache Plaza Area <br /> Applicant: Apache Redevelopment LLC <br /> Hearing Date: 11/18/2003 <br /> This is in response to the proposed re-zoning referenced above and is intended to <br /> substitute.for the railroad's attendance at the public hearing. As owners of facilities <br /> adjacent to the project, the Soo.Line Railroad.(dba Canadian.Pacific Railway) hereby <br /> states.for the record that the railroad opposes the re-zoning of the property due to the <br /> close proximity of newresidential development to the railroad corridor. <br /> The railroad realizes that land is a valuable commodity and that undeveloped areas in the <br /> metro area are in high demand for residential development. However, the railroad is <br /> inherently an industrial activity and, like it or not, we create various unavoidable impacts <br /> on our neighbors. During the last couple of decades, rail traffic volume has been on the <br /> increase, while at the same time the overall number of rail corridors has decreased, <br /> resulting in higher rail traffic on the remaining lines. The common philosophy among <br /> many city planners and the railroad industry is that the presence.of a railroad should be <br /> taken into consideration when developing zoning or comprehensive plans. It is difficult, <br /> if not impossible, to relocate rail corridors. The preferred approach is to locate <br /> compatible land uses such as industrial or commercial areas along the right of way. <br /> Access to rail is a valuable resource. We suggest that planners employ efforts to use <br /> rail's existence to enhance the economic strength of the community. <br /> If there is no alternative to developing residential housing near a rail corridor, there are a <br /> few measures that can be taken to mitigate the impact on future residents. First, <br /> construction should incorporate generous setbacks between the right of way and occupied <br /> dwellings. Green space or storage uses can be planned for areas closer to the right of <br /> way. Fencing should be required along all borders with the railroad to.ensure the safety <br /> of children, pets and others. In addition to setbacks,berming or other designfeatures can <br /> soften noise and visual issues. Finally, it should be disclosed and emphasized to <br /> prospective purchasers of residential housing that they would be living next to a railroad <br />