CSX told they can start building railroad center before any planning reviews are done.

[madfloridian]

Just start building and worry about the planning later? This will affect several cities, and it will have a huge impact on downtown development plans in one of those cities.

This concept of start building now, plan later, boggles my mind. :think:

State: CSX Can Build Before Review Is Done

WINTER HAVEN - State planning officials have told CSX it can begin building a rail transfer center before planning reviews of the massive project are completed. In a letter sent to CSX this week, the state Department of Community Affairs said it would consider an agreement with the company that would allow CSX to begin construction on the Winter Haven project while a comprehensive planning review known as a development of regional impact is under way."

..."Pat Steed, executive director of the Central Florida Regional Planning Council, said it is not uncommon for nonresidential projects to enter into pre-development agreements, but developers may be taking risks by beginning construction."

.."But John Ryan, a Sierra Club activist and a member of the Polk County Planning Commission, said the state's decision is a blow to local groups who want a thorough review of what impact the 1,250-acre rail center will have on traffic, the environment and other growth-related concerns.

Allowing construction to begin will give the project so much momentum that it could be difficult for local planning agencies to later force the railroad to modify its plans, said Ryan, who emphasized he was speaking for the Sierra Club, not as a planning commissioner.

Just go ahead and do it, and ask for input from the cities and counties later. But since the project is so far along, it would be hard to stop it. Amazingly arrogant and dismissive of local authorities. This should go over well with city planners and county administrators who have all been so much on Jeb's side...always siding with developers. It is almost like a "take that" to them.

[theHandpuppet]

1. So the state can override any objections from county govts?

Aren't matters relating to interstate transportation (like RR's) subject to federal laws rather than state? Sorry I don't know much about this subject but there must be something that can be done.

[madfloridian]

3. Not sure. Seems like they are trying to strip local and county govts of power.

:shrug:

[kittykitty]

2. They are doing it in Chambersburg, PA, too--and right next to the Animal Shelter. They claim they

are "good corporate citizens", but refuse to do anything about the fact that this will absolutely ruin the animal shelter!

All the stray dogs and cats, the unwanted pets, etc. will be freaked by the railroad sounds as these trains stop right next to them, and unload the semi-truck trailers carrying cheap Chinese goods (no doubt, and the semis cart them away. Talk about air pollution with diesel fumes!

The commuity (mostly volunteers) have spent years creating a good shelter. Now they will have to move it for the good of the animals. They need to raise a couple hundred thousand dollars all over again. But CSX offers to do nothing! Not contribute a cent so far.

[madfloridian]

4. That's not good. Here it is going to be very disruptive.

The downtown authority for our city was planning to build a whole bunch of high rise condos on land they claimed was not kept up. So their nefarious plans are being hit hard by the nefarious plans of CSX.

[myrna minx]

5. It should not surprise that CSX is owned by the Carlyle Group.

http://www.thecarlylegroup.com/eng/news/l5-news706.html

December 06, 2002
#2002-26
The Carlyle Group Acquires Majority Stake in CSX Lines for $300 Million

Washington, DC - Global private equity firm The Carlyle Group today announced that it has agreed to acquire a majority stake in CSX Lines, LLC from the CSX Corp. (NYSE: CSX) in a transaction valued at $300 million. Current CSX Lines President and CEO Charles G. (Chuck) Raymond and his management team will remain in place and the new entity will be called Horizon Lines, LLC. Mr. Raymond will also serve as Chairman of the company's board.

[madfloridian]

6. Families Sue to Stop CSX Project

http://theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070608/BREAKING/70608010

WINTER HAVEN — "Ten families in Sundance Ranch Estates next to the proposed CSX rail transfer facility are suing the railroad and the city of Winter Haven to keep CSX from developing the site.

Filed on Friday by lawyer Brent Geohagan, the lawsuit states that construction of the facility would cause residents “irreparable injury”.

“Their investments and their homes will be diminished greatly as a result of this,” Geohagan said.

A CSX spokesman had not returned a phone message late Friday afternoon.

City spokeswoman Joy Townsend declined comment, saying that the city had not been formally served the lawsuit."