Proposed rail safety guidelines could modify planned Forks development
Residents say Fort Rouge rail side development poor decision
If adopted, newly proposed rail safety guidelines for the City of Winnipeg could have an impact on development plans at The Forks.
As part of The Forks Renewal Corporation's long-term revitalization plan, two key parcels of land immediately adjacent to a main CN rail line are to be converted into a mixed development. However, new rail safety guidelines for Canadian municipalities, which are currently being studied by the city, could potentially reshape the so-called railside development.
"It all depends on what they land on in terms of the [building] code, what kind of set-backs [...] what kind of uses go in that zone. So we're working pretty closely with the city on this. We've certainly been aware of it from day one," said Paul Jordan, CEO of The Forks Renewal Corporation.
A CBC analysis revealed that portions of Parcel 4 and the railside lot — both located immediately west of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights — fall within the recommended safety setback of 30 metres from the CNR rivers rail line. The setbacks, established by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), is intended to apply to new developments in close proximity to rail arteries.
Jordan says construction of a future mixed-use project — which could include housing units and retail store fronts — is not yet planned, but that the project is moving forward.
"We're hoping to work up the final details on the tax-increment financing with both the province and the city," he said.
Fort Rouge residents' group want rail side developments reevaluated
Further south, a large in-fill condo development along the Fort Rouge rail yard and main CN line is raising the ire of residents and they view the proposed rail safety regulations currently filtering its way through city hall as an opportunity to stimulate discussion on the issue.
Bev Pike, coordinator for the South-Osborne Residents' Association opposes the condo development along the rail line. Pike says that not only will the significant increase in densification negatively impact the community, she feels that the presence of the rail yard makes living in the area unbearable.
"The shunting goes on all day, all night. This is a 24-hour line, a very busy line," she said.
She says that in the place of the new development, she wishes the city would have focused on certain mitigation measures along the rail line instead.
"We would really like the city to build berms here to protect the existing community," Pike said.
The portion of land sold by CN on which the condos' foundation is currently being constructed is referred to as the "Fort Rouge Yards", however CN still operates a rail yard with more than 12 lines, within 70 meters of the development.
Although the new FCM rail guidelines call for a 300-meter buffer surrounding rail yards, city councillor for Fort-Rouge - East Fort Garry, Jenny Gerbasi said in a phone interview that she questions the "yard" classification given to the area by the city administration and further added that the development was planned and underway before the new guidelines were proposed and therefore would not be impacted by guideline changes.