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Council approves first reading to close portion of Moore Street after DOT, railroad safety request
Summary
Greer City Council on first reading approved Ordinance No. 4-20-26 to close a portion of Moore Street after staff said DOT and the railroad flagged a safety issue where motorists can cross tracks even with the crossing arm down; council asked staff to return with details on related 'quiet crossings' work before second reading.
Greer — The Greer City Council voted in favor of the first reading of Ordinance No. 4-20-26, a measure to close a portion of Moore Street that staff and state transportation officials say poses a safety risk where motorists can cross railroad tracks even when crossing arms are down.
City staff said the South Carolina Department of Transportation and the railroad identified the crossing as hazardous and requested the closure to allow safety improvements. "The closure of the portion of the street made the most sense, with a minimal impact to the area," city staff said during the meeting.
The ordinance covers a segment of Moore Street located within the railroad right-of-way but maintained by the city. Staff clarified the closure is not a transfer of property to the railroad; the right-of-way will remain public and the city will continue routine maintenance. "We will maintain it, much like we do now around the CSX line, Norfolk line," staff said.
Council members pressed for details on ownership, maintenance and cost. One member asked who would own the property after closing; staff responded the property sits in the railroad right-of-way and "it will revert to no man's land" while remaining public right-of-way. Another councilmember asked why the city should close an asset it must continue to maintain; staff said closing the street is a recommended safety action and could facilitate the railroad's investment in larger efforts.
The Moore Street closure is linked to a broader city effort to establish "quiet crossings" across Greer — upgrades intended to improve safety and reduce train horn noise — but staff said the total cost and the city's financial share for that larger project are unknown at this time. Councilmember comments resulted in a request that staff provide information on the wider quiet-crossings plan before the ordinance's second reading.
Motion and vote information: a motion to receive Ordinance No. 4-20-26 for first reading was made and seconded. The clerk recorded the roll-call vote as follows: Mr. Arrowood — No; Mr. Booker — Yes; Mr. Hopper — Yes; Mr. Lander — Yes; Mr. Bettis — Yes; Mr. Lamb — Yes; Mayor Danner — Yes. The first reading carried.
The ordinance will return for a second reading at the next council meeting, with council requesting additional information about how the proposed closure ties into the city's quiet-crossings project and any cost implications.
