Email from Jon Day 10-25-06
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Generous, Bob
From: Jon [jon@marketwiseagservices.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 25,200612:13 PM
To: Generous, Bob
Subject: Question on Proposed Development
Bob,
Thank you for taking a few minutes to visit with me on the phone earlier today regarding the proposed
development on Audubon Road. I went to the city's website for some additional information which was very
helpful.
Once I read that I went to the developer's website and there was a story on their site about their plans (see
below). They are a "race car" and car enthusiast organization and the target market for this type of facility is "race
and specialty" cars. The website says they plan to have car shows on the site as well. Cars of that type normally
have modified exhaust systems to create that loud sound from the pipes.
This raises noise concerns. As you know, this proposed facility would border a natural park like area which is
zoned as an agricultural area. The area is lined with homes on the entire west side and a community bike trail on
the west side of the wetlands. There is nothing between this proposed site and those homes and the bike path.
This proposed facility would hold hundreds of race cars which would be coming and going at all hours of day and
night. Also those cars could be loaded and unloaded from trucks and trailers, etc. I am sure car shows being
held on site would also contribute heavily to the noise. We all know that show cars normally have loud pipes and
often loud stereo systems.
Would earthen berms be required like the city required from the General Mills expansion that adjoins this site?
Perhaps the berms of the same elevation, with similar plantings on top could be extended from the General Mills
site south along the back of this site to block sound and try to preserve some natural look of the area. They could
put the fence they have in their plans inside the berm and tree line as well.
One part of the proposed facility comes a long way west along the railroad tracks. Perhaps the facility could be
kept toward the east along Audubon and not come as far west down along the railroad track. This would keep the
noise a little further away from the homes.
Maybe a nice combination of berms and keeping the buildings a little further from residential homes would work in
keeping the noise down.
Thank you for your time.
Jon Day
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Bruno Silikowski found a different approach to the proximity problem. His Autobahn Motorplex,
located 15 minutes from downtown Minneapolis, is a 37-acre site that will not have a track, but will
have a clubhouse as well as secure, heated storage condos that members can purchase - and depreciate
- to garage their racing and other special cars.
"It will be the mecca of motors ports in Minneapolis," said Silikowski.
Alan Wilson thinks noise is the biggest problem with getting a new club built in a populated area these
days. "The noise issue doesn't have to be a necessity," he said, pointing out that most recreational
drivers won't see any difference driving a car on the track with a muffed exhaust. "These clubs will
10/25/2006
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evolve, and without the noise will no longer be a negative to the surrounding area. Then they will be
more socially acceptable."
The demand is there. Autobahn has sold out individual memberships and has started a waiting list. Only
six corporate memberships remain available. "We're growing like crazy," said Basso
10/25/2006