HomeMy WebLinkAbout20221173.tiffHEARING CERTIFICATION
DOCKET NO. 2022-50
RE: PETITION FOR VACATION OF COUNTY ROAD 64, AKA 0 STREET, RIGHT-OF-WAY
WITHIN UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY NEAR U.S. HIGHWAY 85 -
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
la A public hearing was conducted on May 4, 2022, at 9:00 a.m., with the following present:
Commissioner Scott K. James, Chair
Commissioner Mike Freeman, Pro-Tem
Commissioner Perry L. Buck
Commissioner Steve Moreno — EXCUSED
Commissioner Lori Saine
Also present:
Acting Clerk to the Board, Houstan Aragon
County Attorney, Bruce Barker
Department of Public Works representative, Elizabeth Relford
IEJ The following business was transacted:
I hereby certify that pursuant to a notice dated April 22, 2022, a public hearing was conducted to
consider the request of the Weld County Department of Public Works, for a Petition for Vacation
of Right -of -Way for County Road 64, aka O Street, within Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way near
U.S. Highway 85. Bruce Barker, County Attorney, made this a matter of record.
ki Elizabeth Relford, Deputy Director of the Department of Public Works, alongside, Chad Hall,
Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Representative, as well as Lance Kippen, Union
Pacific Railroad (UPRR) Representative, collectively presented a summary of the petitioner's
request for the vacation of right-of-way within the Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way for
County Road (CR) 64, aka O Street, near U.S. Highway (HWY) 85. Ms. Relford displayed vicinity
and aerial maps while detailing the process and authority for vacation of public road right-of-way,
and stated this is the final of 12 locations that CDOT identified the need for road safety
improvements, with hopes to have this under construction by the end of June 2022. She further
explained CDOT has been working with Weld County and UPRR to obtain U.S. HWY 85
right-of-way that is within the UPRR right-of-way, for the safety of the U.S. HWY 85 Corridor to
reduce potential train and vehicle conflicts, and strategically close certain crossings to afford
parked trains without blocking main roadways and crossings. Per Colorado Revised Statutes, Ms.
Relford stated the right-of-way is within the County's jurisdiction, no utilities or structures will be
impacted, and no access will be eliminated, so all the criteria has been met.
Ms. Relford explained CDOT designed and constructed Weld County Way that was
previously approved by the Public Utilities Commission, in anticipation of this closure to be utilized
as a business and emergency vehicle access from U.S. HWY 85. Ms. Relford continued to state
there have been no concerns raised from surrounding property owners, nor from the referral
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HEARING CERTIFICATION - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
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agencies. She explained CDOT has agreed to providing signage to notify traffic about the
business and emergency access on Weld County Way during this closure. Ms. Relford entered
the favorable recommendation of the department into the record. Commissioner Buck
commended the CDOT and UPRR representatives for working with Weld County on all 12
locations for improvements. Commissioner Saine acknowledged the fact there were no comments
from citizens, which means that everyone has done their job well, and this process will help
economic development in Weld County. Commissioner Freeman commended the efforts of
three (3) large entities to work together, communicate, and make common sense adjustments.
El No public testimony was offered concerning this matter.
IR Commissioner Buck moved to accept the petition and authorize the vacation of
County Road 64, aka O Street, right-of-way within Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way near
U.S. Highway 85, based on the recommendation of the Department of Public Works. The motion
was seconded by Commissioner Saine, and it carried unanimously. There being no further
discussion, the hearing was completed at 10:11 a.m.
This Certification was approved on the 18th day of May, 2022.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
WECOUNTY, COLORADO
ATTEST: didu,i) ,. �C�lo•ei
tt K. James, Chair
Weld County Clerk to the Board
BY:
eputy Clerk to the Board
EXCUSED DATE OF APPROVAL
man, Pro-Te
2022-1173
EG0080
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