Friday March 29th, 2024 6:04AM

Hall Co. Commissioners table abandonment plan for Tumbling Circle RR crossing

GAINESVILLE - At its meeting Thursday evening, Hall County Commissioners voted unanimously to table a plan to abandon a 1,786-foot right of way along Tumbling Circle associated with the closing of the Norfolk Southern Railway crossing.<br /> <br /> Commissioners plan to revisit the matter at their November 13 meeting, and until then they hope to gather more information from the Department of Transportation, Norfolk Southern, the Hall County School System, and emergency services.<br /> <br /> "They're planning a 900-student elementary school right across the street in the next 24 months," said Commissioner Scott Gibbs, who also raised questions about how police officers, fire fighters, and EMS workers would be affected by the closing of the crossing.<br /> <br /> "There's a lot of people that use it, and a lot of people that will use it. I think it could be a safer crossing. I'm thinking we'll ask the railroad to put a crossing gate there, and maybe that'll help their concern for safety," said Commissioner Billy Powell, whose district would be affected by the move.<br /> <br /> "It's way too popular to close," said Powell.<br /> <br /> Still, Norfolk Southern plans to close the crossing in the meantime.<br /> <br /> "I spoke to the railroad, and they assured me it would be closed next week," said Ken Rearden, Director of Public Works.<br /> <br /> Craig Lutz was absent from the meeting.<br /> <br /> COMMISSION APPROVES BUSINESS LICENSE CODE<br /> <br /> Commissioners also gave final approval to an amendment to the county's business license code. (See linked story below.)<br /> <br /> The new code reduces the grace period for late charges, and requires a business to have its license in hand before opening a business, along with other issues.
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