Agency delays rail-crossing vote

CITY HALL — The Redevelopment Agency on Tuesday postponed possible authorization of a controversial $5.48-million, at-grade railroad crossing for a proposed Flower Street extension to San Fernando Road until all five members can be present.

Mayor Ara Najarian called the continuance a “prudent” move in light of Councilman Dave Weaver’s absence Tuesday since a possible 2-2 split vote on establishing a $2-million account to pay for safety improvements at rail crossings on South San Fernando Boulevard would have been counted as a negative — and with state approval of the entire project tied to the account, its failure to pass would have thrown years of staff effort and complex planning into doubt just inches from the finish line.

“I wish we could vote on this today,” Najarian said. “It’s a good crossing — it’s the best money can buy at this point.”

Weaver, who was away tending to the birth of his granddaughter, would have been the decider on a possible split between the vocal support of Najarian and Councilman Bob Yousefian and the critical positions taken by Councilmen John Drayman and Frank Quintero even as city officials sought to address neighborhood traffic hazard concerns with a rundown of the safety measures included in the rail crossing.

“All of this is very interesting, but it has nothing to with the impact to the neighborhood,” said Drayman, chairman of the Redevelopment Agency.

While Yousefian and Najarian said they would vote to authorize the project, Drayman and Quintero declined to state definitively how they would cast theirs.

Glendale has until March 15, to complete the project, which will extend Flower Street west from Air Way, over the tracks, to San Fernando Road.

The deadline — set as a condition of approval from the state Public Utilities Commission last year — also applies to safety improvements planned for all five existing at-grade rail crossings along San Fernando Road.

Three of the five crossings — Doran Street, Broadway and Chevy Chase Drive — are under shared jurisdiction with the city of Los Angeles. Glendale is responsible for those at Sonora and Grandview avenues.

The Flower Street crossing has been a contentious proposition for nearby residents, who for years have criticized it as unnecessary and a potentially dangerous traffic hazard.