1999_0315_packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Roseville, Burlington Northern has indicated its desire to not serve this area with rail capacity. The BN property in generally 100 feet in width within the City, connecting to a bo to 60 foot ride right of way with Hennepin county and the City of Minneapolis. To adequately accommodate either or both a commuter rail line and a commuter/recreational non-motorized pathway as illustrated in the City Comprehensive Plan, the 100 foot wide right-of-way should be kept in tact if at all possible, not allowing parcels of the right-of-way to be sold off. It is my understanding that BN has filed for an amendment to its federal Surface Transportation Board abandonment application, that would eliminate the abandonment within Ramsey County and the city of Roseville in order to sell off a parcel for reuse I to an adjacent, proposed warehouse building. It is not in the public's and City's interest to have the rail right of way sold off in parcels that would severely reduce or eliminate the continuity of a multi ruse commuter line and pathway/trail system. The City should oppose this change in the abandonment application and require BN to follow through on its current application to abandon the line within the city of Roseville. The City or county should acquire this parcel with the intent of Keeping the right-of-way parcels in one ownership. The government agencies holding title could then determine if a short term, interim lease or easement should be issued to potential users adjacent to the rail. Ramsey County in 1989 completed a plan which identified the BN County Road "C" rail right-of-way as a potential cross-county commuter or light ra i I line that should be acquired if abandonment is ever sought by 13N. In 1996, the Ramsey county Regional Rail Authority adopted a resolution (##R96-o9) which directed the Authority to negotiate for the acquisition of the rail right-of-way. The issue of the proposed minor subdivision of a parcel of right-of-way from the BN rail line (the Triangle warehouse, 5' by 70 feet or approximately 24,000 s.f.) should not be approved by the City during this 180 review period (through June 15, 1999) because of the impending County rail authority study and/or acquisition of this right of way land. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends requesting...the- pity-council to adopt such resolutions of support ort for acquisition of the rail right-of-way as consistent with the City's � Comprehensive Plan and Hennepin and Ramsey County Rail Authority Study -and Plans.