CANOSIA TOWNSHIP

Airport Overlay Zone

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Across the United States, residential housing has been constructed near airports, often without consideration of the current and future airport noise impacts to new homeowners. As a result, millions of federal, state, and local dollars have been used to pay for noise mitigation programs. These programs pay for the installation of noise insulation into houses at a cost upwards of $25,000 per home. Over the last several months, the Airport Overlay Zone (AOZ) Advisory Committee, comprised of representatives from the Canosia, Hermantown, Duluth and Rice Lake planning commissions, has identified recommendations to address incompatible land uses adjacent to the Duluth International Airport.

The focus of this committee has revolved around lands closest to the airport that are significantly affected by airport noise. Those involved with this study recognize that current airport noise impacts to residents are minimal. However, the potential for future conflict seems likely given that the area's faster than average residential growth and continued plans to promote economic development related to the airport. The purpose of this plan is to promote the implementation of modest measures that will prevent conflicts between future residential homeowners and the airport that could require expensive retroactive noise insulation programs. The following recommended actions are an attempt to provide an "ounce of prevention" in order to protect homeowners, taxpayers, the airport and communities from paying for a "pound of cure" later.

The AOZ Advisory Committee has spent the last several months learning about the potential problems with residential development too close to airports and what strategies are available to prevent these problems in our community. The goal of the advisory committee was to develop recommendations that would be sufficient for addressing the problem while minimizing burdensome restrictions to the public. If implemented, these measures would accomplish this mission.

For more information regarding these recommendations or the AOZ study, please feel free to contact your communities' AOZ advisory committee representative listed below:

Rose Marie Heimbach -- Hermantown