HomeMy Public PortalAboutRES 15/02RESOLUTION NO. 15 -2
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF GULF
STREAM, PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, EXPRESSING CONCERN
FOR THE ALL ABOARD FLORIDA BUSINESS PLAN; ASKING LOCAL,
STATE, AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS TO ASSIST THE TOWN IN
MITIGATING SAID CONCERNS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
WHEREAS, All Aboard Florida (AAF), a subsidiary of Florida East Coast Industries
(FEC) plans to add 32 daily high speed passenger train trips between Miami /Orlando on
current and expanded freight train tracks passing through densely populated downtown
areas from Miami to West Palm Beach, and is forecasting future increases in existing 20
daily freight train trips on these same tracks, due to an improving global economy and
expansion of intermodal freight cargo capacity in Port Miami and Port Everglades, and
WHEREAS, to ameliorate the impact of this increase in railroad traffic on public
safety and quality of life, certain gate, median, and pedestrian sidewalk improvements are
proposed and tentatively funded for 83 total FEC railroad crossings between Boca Raton
and West Palm Beach in Palm Beach County, as well as the establishment of continuous
"quiet zones" at crossings from one end of the country to the other, and
WHEREAS, the cities of Delray Beach and Boynton Beach directly bordering the
Town of Gulf Stream have a total of 23 such crossings, one of which is approximately 200
yards from Town's western border on Gulf Stream Boulevard, a well - traveled public route
to local daycare centers, schools, and the area's only nearby hospital, and
WHEREAS, the cities of Delray Beach and Boynton Beach provide essential
services to residents of the Town of Gulf Stream, such as Fire /EMS, water, sanitary sewer,
hospital, commercial and recreational enterprises, all of which may be affected by
substantial impacts on public safety, quality of life, pollution, and possibly property value as
rail traffic increases through their town corridor, and
WHEREAS, residents of Delray Beach, Boynton Beach and the Town of Gulf
Stream will see virtually no tangible benefit from increased freight traffic and proposed new
passenger traffic, other than more secure crossing gates and "quiet zones', and
WHEREAS, residents of northern Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast Counties
are similarly impacted, particularly with respect to road and marine traffic at or near
sensitive bridge crossings, and
WHEREAS, a broad swath of citizen and professional organizations have
questioned the need for, and economic viability of a high speed railroad passenger train
with only two stops between Miami and Orlando, and are further concerned that taxpayers
will bear the burden if the system fails to meet commercial objectives;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE
TOWN OF GULF STREAM, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS;
Section 1. The foregoing recitals are acknowledged and incorporated into the
body of this Resolution.
Section 2. The Town Commission of the Town of Gulf Stream supports safety
and calming measures for at -grade crossings to reduce or eliminate the need for train
horns when approaching public highway easements, as well as four quadrant gates and
other measures to deter motorists from being stranded in the path of approaching trains.
These improvements will benefit the community whether or not All Aboard Florida or any
other passenger train service will utilize FEC tracks in Palm Beach County.
Section 3. The Town Commission of the Town of Gulf Stream urges all
governmental bodies, including the Federal Railroad Administration and other regulatory
and policy agencies who review All Aboard Florida plans, to assure that (1) all
environmental impact analyses have been conducted and ruled upon for the entire
passenger route from West Palm Beach to Orlando; (2) no taxpayer funds are at risk
should the AAF project be privately financed and later become worthless, orAAF is unable
to continue as a going business; (3) local Metropolitan Planning Organizations should
continue to seek alternative solutions for sharing existing FEC and CSX track capacity
between freight, high speed passenger, and short haul commuter trains, particularly in
Palm Beach County.
Section 4. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
Approved, passed and adopted by the Town Commission of the Town of Gulf
Stream, Palm Beach County, Florida, in a regular session assembled this 10th
day of April 2015.
ATTEST
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Town Clerk
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