I admit this was only my idea, but I really thought it would be a great thing for all of us if we had a substantial barrier along the train track, from 121st to Griffing/108th. It seemed to me this would reduce the noise from the train, as well as the opportunity for intrusion from mischief-makers east of the track. It seemed to me from all I heard that those mischief-makers very definitely do use that opportunity to come here, jump a fence or two, steal or vandalize, and scurry back.
So as I've made my way around, especially near the track, I've asked people about their experiences living on a train line. I've been surprised at the responses.
The vast majority of our residents who live on or near the track say the same thing: at first it's bothersome, but you quickly enough get used to the noise. These residents, some of whom are renters, and some of whom are owners, are frankly not complaining. Not a lot, anyway.
As for intruders, most residents likewise don't see a significant problem. The few who did report problems talked mostly about "kids" throwing rocks over fences. It would take a pretty high wall to prevent something like that.
So one possibility is that perhaps it wouldn't be necessary to think about, and plan and save for, an expensive wall along the track. I'll continue to talk to our police and to the most affected residents, whether I win a Commission seat or not, to see if the problem is less than I imagined.
The other possibility is that the kind of person who agrees to live along the track is essentially self-selected as someone who isn't likely to complain. If such a person would find it unbearable, or even highly problematic, to live along a train track, he or she probably wouldn't have agreed to live there in the first place. Or the lower rent and lower house prices made it worth it to deal with the train and the access from outsiders. To be further explored.
The first house I ever bought, in Massachusetts, had a train track down the slope behind the back yard, about as far from the house as the FEC track is from BP houses. I didn't like it at all. And there were no mischief-makers, only noise and vibration. So I was assuming our residents wouldn't like life on the track any more than I did. Maybe I was wrong. As I say, I'll continue to explore.
Fred, I also had the idea of putting a noise reduction wall by the tracks some 20 years ago and I talked to one of the commissioners about it ( I completely forgot who the commissioner was), the argument against it was mainly cost, it will cost too much. I think that is still a valid argument, but it does not mean we should not try and do it if we can get a grant or some funding. A friend of mine was renting a duplex by the tracks and when I asked how bad the noise and vibration were, he told me that after a couple of months he wouldn't notice anymore. Just my 2 cents.
ReplyDeleteJorge,
DeleteI agree with you. Just because someone thinks the cost would be great, or even if it is great, doesn't mean we should not explore the idea. The surprise to me was all the people, like your friend, who aren't complaining. I think I would be. But the other thing I want to delve into is how much that track, and the access it provides, contributes to crime, especially in the northeast corner of the Village. Everything I've been hearing from our police suggests it does.
But as I say, I think there's reason to ask more questions, even if we decide the problem is not a bad one.
I will tell you that about 5-6 years ago, FPL was offering a deal on burying power lines. They would do their part for 25% off. It still would have cost homeowners a good deal of money (I can't remember the amount any more), but the Commission wouldn't even ask the residents if they wanted it. Burying lines would have improved the look of the Village, the look of the tree canopy (which would not be butchered to make room for the lines, as it is now), and it would have provided more security in times of heavy weather.
Commissions need to pursue these kinds of things, whether they're buried power lines or security walls. They need to ask enough questions. And now, it's easier, because we have a manager who can research the matter. It's no good for some Commissioner to tell you, or to tell me, that it's too expensive, and we should forget about it. That's not representation, and it's not vision.
Fred
Build the wall! I would not have bought my house if I knew how loud the train is at night. I'm sure people don't shop for homes in the Park because of the noise that train emits. It seems that the wall would lead to increased property values, which should leave to increased tax revenue. It might very well be worth the investment.
ReplyDelete