Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Railroad Crossing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Corona business owner warns BNSF-funded crossing work could block truck access, staff says outreach is under way
Summary
Brian Hatch, owner of AO Coolers, told the City Council that a planned railroad-crossing safety project could block 18-wheel access and 'put me out of business.' Staff said the CPUC is fully funding the project, notices were mailed to businesses within 500 feet, and door-to-door outreach and circulation mitigation will occur before construction and before the council sees final plans.
Brian Hatch, owner of AO Coolers in Corona, told the City Council on June 3 that planned work at the nearby BNSF railroad crossing would disrupt his business and could prevent tractor‑trailers from delivering or picking up product.
"The road is going to be closed. I'm going to lose customers and I'm not going to be able to get my product," Hatch said during public comment, adding that neither he nor his neighbors received mailed notice about earlier project meetings.
The council asked staff for detail, and when Mayor and council members pressed for guarantees about truck access and notification, staff said the work is a California Public Utilities Commission safety project that the CPUC is funding. Public works director Savvat Ku told the council the city had mailed notices to businesses within a 500‑foot radius (exceeding the 250‑foot legal minimum), sent an email follow-up and would perform door‑to‑door outreach before construction to address truck ingress and egress concerns.
"There are options in terms of addressing the ingresses and egresses of the trucks there and we will be reaching out to other businesses to make sure that they're aware of the project and to make sure that they have circulations that can be addressed as well," Savvat Ku said.
Council members pushed staff to return to the council before construction and to pursue mitigation plans that would allow AO Coolers and nearby firms to continue operating. Vice Mayor and others said they want options considered that would permit continued truck access and, if temporary access restrictions are unavoidable, to discuss mitigation or compensation when the council reviews construction plans.
Council moved, seconded and approved the capital-improvement agreement item related to the crossing; staff committed to additional outreach and to bringing circulation solutions back to council prior to construction.
The city’s next step, as explained in the meeting, is door‑to‑door outreach and additional coordination with property owners and tenants before the project returns to council.
