HomeMy WebLinkAboutReport - Union Pacific Railroad Noise Adjacent to Regency EstatesCITY OF PALM DESERT
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: Informational Item Concerning Union Pacific Railroad Noise Along
Regency Estates
SUBMITTED BY: Martin Alvarez, Senior Management Analyst
DATE: December 9, 2004
CONTENTS: Map
Background:
The City Council requested that staff investigate the railroad noise concerns raised by
Mr. Helmut Lihs (Regency Estates Representative) at the October 28, 2004, City
Council meeting. Subsequently, a letter was received from the Palm Valley
Homeowners Association (HOA) indicating the same concern.
The area of concern consists of approximately a one -mile stretch along Tamarisk Row
Drive between the Union Pacific Railroad (UPR) and Regency Estates/Palm Valley
Country Club (see attached map). Both of these subdivisions were approved and built
under the County of Riverside's jurisdiction and were annexed into the City in 1992.
Mr. Lihs requests that the City look into the railroad noise levels coming from UPR and
the future increase in noise due to an addition of a second set of tracks in this area. To
date only a single set of tracks exist in this area; however, representatives from the
UPR indicate that the addition of a second set of tracks is possible in the future. They
also informed us of the following.
• UPR has approval to add a second set of tracks from Colton, California to El
Paso, Texas.
• The Railroad has approval from the Federal Surface Transportation Board for
this project.
• UPR indicates that they do not have any environmental reports and that they are
exempt from CEQA.
• A project to add a second set of tracks in this area is currently unfunded and it
may be 5 to 7 years before it is considered a project.
• UPR indicated that if a second set of tracks creates additional noise, they would
be willing to meet with the HOA(s) to discuss any impacts associated with such a
project.
Union Pacific Railroad Noise
Page 2 of 2
December 9, 2004
Discussion:
Although the addition of a second set of tracksis not expected for several years, it is
recommended that the City Council authorize Staff to implement the following:
1. Prepare a letter to Union Pacific Railroad from the City Attorney's office,
requesting that the City (affected Agency) be notified of any project adjacent to
its boundaries. In addition, the letter would request the an opportunity to
comment, prior to commencement of the addition of a second set oftracksalong
the Regency Estates/Palm Valley Country Club area.
2. Staff recommends the City hire a noise consultant to measure decibel readings
associated with the railroad location in question and develop recommendations
for possible mitigation measures available to reduce existing noise levels.
3. Contract with a consultant to research available grants or loans that will assist in
the construction of a sound barrier along this area.
4. Prepare a letter addressed to the existing residents located within the affected
area, inquiring if they are willing to form an assessment district to fund the
construction of a sound barrier.
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize staff to implement all the above -
mentioned options. We will return to the City Council in March 2005, to inform you of
any new information, and the response from the homeowners regarding the formation of
an assessment district to fund any future sound barrier mitigation.
Submitted By:
artin Alvarez
Senior Management Analyst
Approval:
Homer Cro
ACM for Dev
Carlos L. Orte
City Manager
ment Services
2
MEETING DATE ll
El GONTINUED TO 9- o
0 PASSED TO 2ND READING
CITY OF PAL
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
MEMORANDUM
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
Date: November 10, 2004
Subject: Union Pacific Railroad Noise Concern
At the October 28, 2004, City Council Meeting, staff was directed to look into the
railroad noise concerns raised by residents within Regency Estates and Palm Valley
Country Club. Staff is requesting additional time to research this matter, contact Union
Pacific Railroad and to consult with the City Attorney.
Staff recommends that that City Council continue this matter to December 9, 2004.
Submitted By:
artin Alvarez
Senior Management Analyst
Homer Croy
ACM for DevelopServices
Carlos L. Aga
City Manager
City of Palm Desert
Regency Estates
Sound Issue
E
0
800
Feet