03/11/1985 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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'. e, e e M E M 0 RAN DUM March 6, 1985 TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Planning and Public Works Departments SUBJECT: PUBLIC HEARING, VAN BUREN RAILROAD CROSSING This public hearing is scheduled to obtain public input on a city position regarding Southern Pacific Railroad's request for closure of Van Buren Street at its intersection with the Southern Pacific Railroad. This request has been filed with the Public Utility Commissioner and was initiated in November, 1984. At that time, Southern Pacific agreed to the construction of the Chambers Connector overpass over their lines and switching yards, asking at the same time that the Van Buren Street grade crossing be closed: "coincident with the opening of the Chambers overpass... and that.a proceeding be instituted to effect such a closure." More recently, the Public Utility Commissioner has adopted an order granting interim authority to Chambers Connector overcrossing stucture Lane County to proceed with the construction of the overpass structures and the Roosevelt Connector over the railroad lines with the following conditions: 1. "Physical construction of the structures be substantially in progress within three years from the effective date of this order"; and 2. "A formal investigation is hereby instituted upon the Commissioner's own motion to determine if the public convenience and necessity require continuance of the Van Buren Street grade crossing No. C-648. 2 upon completion of the Chambers Connector project." This order was effective February 25, 1985. The PUC staff have initiated a closure investigation that will eventually lead to a full hearing before the Public Utility Commissioner. In response, businesses and residents in the Blair/Van Buren area, the Neighborhood Economic Development Council (NEDCO), and the Whiteaker Community Council have met with city staff and PUC representatives. During the last several months, positions of area businesses and community organizations have been established as follows: 1. Petitions have been circulated among patrons of businesses in the area and submitted to the city, with more than 1200 signatures indicating opposition to the potential closure;