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Roy residents urge city to require second access before Rail Runner complex opens
Summary
Multiple Westpark neighborhood residents told the Royce City Council the Rail Runner apartment project will funnel hundreds of vehicle trips through a single neighborhood entrance and asked the city to require a paved, guaranteed north entrance and additional traffic mitigation before occupancy.
Dozens of Westpark neighborhood residents told the Royce City Council on May 6 that the new Rail Runner apartment development will overload a single neighborhood entrance and create safety, infrastructure and quality‑of‑life problems unless the city requires a second, guaranteed access point and traffic mitigation before occupancy.
Residents said they understand part of the development plan included a second (north) entrance onto 4000 South but that the developer and city have not provided a firm, written commitment that the entrance will be paved, open and unobstructed before the first occupancy permits are issued. “There’s nothing written. There’s no guarantees,” said Bridal McMillan, a Westpark Drive resident, during the public comment period.
The concern dominated public comment during the meeting. Speakers reported a neighborhood survey (distributed by QR code) showing broad resident opposition to additional phases of the project until traffic effects are re‑studied. Blaine Esplan said his survey reached about 60% of households and that neighbors expect the city to mitigate both traffic volume and vehicle speeds once the Rail Runner complex begins leasing in June.
Other residents gave consistent accounts of safety hazards if the project relies on a single access road. Bob Nightingale described a “significant danger in emergency situations” if the single access were blocked. Kimberly Flannery said she had waited more than seven minutes in the morning while the nearby train blocked a crossing; she and others said current delays already leave some houses effectively isolated during frequent train stoppages.
Speakers cited the development’s traffic impact study dated Oct. 19, 2023, and said that study assumed the north entrance would be open; they urged the council not to allow occupancy before a study of traffic flows with only the south entrance in service. Several speakers asked the council to withhold approvals for any “phase 3” expansion of the project until a new traffic study is completed and publicly released.
Council and staff responses at the meeting were primarily procedural. Mayor and council members told residents the city takes the comments seriously and encouraged anyone who wants details or updates to speak with the city manager, the mayor or their councilmember. The mayor said staff will review public comments and that written emails received by the council are part of the public record; he also invited residents to meet with staff for direct follow‑up.
The council did not take any formal vote on the Rail Runner access issue during the May 6 meeting. Staff signaled it will continue working with the developer and neighborhood representatives on mitigation measures (signage, speed management, and other short‑term controls) but did not announce a binding, written commitment requiring the north entrance to be paved and open before occupancy. Residents said they will return if they do not see written guarantees.
The public comment block on Rail Runner concluded before the council’s presentations and budget discussion. Residents said they will continue to press the council for a written assurance that the secondary entrance will be completed, for an additional traffic study modeling a single entry, and for signs and speed mitigation measures in the interim.
