Riverside council unanimously backs resolution to secure land for Brockton–Palm railroad quiet zone

Ben Morales, the city’s Real Property Services manager, told the Riverside City Council the council must adopt a resolution of necessity so the city can secure two property interests needed to build the Brockton Avenue–Palm Avenue Railroad Quiet Zone.

"This resolution is to find and determine the public interest and necessity for acquiring and authorizing the condemnation of real property interests for the Brockton Avenue to Palm Avenue Railroad Quiet Zone project," Morales said. He said one acquisition involves the Plime Trust previously addressed by the council and the other involves an interest tied to the Department of Motor Vehicles office; negotiations with the California Department of General Services have produced documents but the city remained in a 30‑day holding period.

The presentation described the project’s goal as improving safety by eliminating routine sounding of train horns and said design decisions were informed by the Federal Railroad Administration, California Public Utilities Commission and Union Pacific Railroad. Morales asked the council to adopt findings authorizing the city attorney to prepare and file an eminent‑domain complaint if needed and to seek prejudgment possession under the civil procedure code cited in the staff report.

Councilmember Chuck Conder moved to "move staff's recommendation," a motion seconded by Councilmember Perry. The council conducted a roll‑call vote and recorded unanimous support across the wards; the clerk announced the motion carried.

Next steps spelled out in the staff recommendation authorized the city attorney to prepare and prosecute the eminent‑domain complaint in Riverside Superior Court and to execute related documents consistent with the council’s policy direction. Morales said, if negotiations continue to progress, construction could begin by late March or early April once the required instruments are finalized.

The action does not itself award a construction contract; it authorizes the city to obtain the property interests the staff said are necessary for the project to proceed as designed.