6.4. SR 10-20-2003POver
Item # 6.4.
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Mayor and City Council
Michele McPherso ,~Director of Planning
October 20, 2003
Case No. EV 03-06
Request by the City of Elk River to Vacate the Troy Street
Railroad Crossing- Public Hearing
Request
The City Council is asked to vacate the Troy Street railroad crossing.
Attachments
Location Map
· Photographs
Petition from Troy Street Residents
· Resolution No. 03-__, Vacating the Railroad Crossing
Analysis
In April of 2003, staff via a complaint through Councilmember Dietz, began investigating
the possibility of vacating the railroad crossing at Troy Street. Residents along Troy Street
have indicated that the train whistles begin east of Ogden Street and continue through the
Troy Street crossing and west beyond the Zebulon crossing.
After several conversations with the Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railroad (BNSF), staff
has notified the neighbors of the railroad crossing vacation.
The railroad crossing is a small field crossing with cross bucks only, no mechanical arms
indicating stoppage from County Road 35. It appears that one resident north of the crossing
Memo to Mayor and City Council/EV 03-06
October 20, 2003
Page 2
utilizes this crossing for access to their private residence. This resident has two alternative
modes of access; 1) via a private easement across the adjacent property west to Zebulon
Street, and 2) through a platted street right-of-way within Windsor Oaks of Elk River. As a
result, it is staff's opinion that this crossing is unnecessary.
The railroad is also under Federal mandate to close as many crossings as possible on an
annual basis. George Warren, representing BNSF, will be in attendance to testify to the
railroad's support of the closing and that the removal of the crossing will be the
responsibility, both physically and financially, of the railroad.
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 03-__, vacating the Troy
Street railroad crossing.
S:\PLANNING\Case Files\2003\EV 03-06 Troy St RR Cross\ 10-20 cc memo.doc
SITE
PARK
River
Case Number:.
Location Map
EV 03-06
CITY OF ELK RIVER
N
MR. RON RADIKA
ROADMASTER
BNSF RAILWAY
1715 BRECKENRIDGE AVE.
ST CLOUD, MN. ,56301
DR. SIR:
BY MEANS OF THIS PETITION, WITH MY NAME AND ADDRESS BELOW,
I HERE-IN, REQUEST A SILENCING OF ALL TRAIN WHISTLES AT A
CATTLE CROSSING, APROX. 1.08 MILES WEST OF MEADOWVALE RD.
AND COUNTY RD.$35, ADJACENT TO THE 19000 BLK OF TROY ST. N.W.
ELK RIVER, MN. 55330-1058.
NAME ADDRESS
~'?/lA
Looking North from
County Road 35
Residential Driveway
Looking West from
Windsor Oaks