BREAKING NEWS

Neighborhood groups opposed to considering a railroad right-of-way south of Ellis Avenue and Gothard Street as part of an Orange County Transportation Authority-funded study of transit connections to Anaheim have won a victory. A letter from Deputy Public Works Director David Webb that appeared on the city’s website on Wednesday states that the area has been ruled out for any mass-transit use.

“To help clarify the intent for this study and remove some of the uncertainty for residents in the area, the city has completed a preliminary feasibility review of the vacated railroad right-of-way south of Ellis Avenue and determined upfront that several other potentially better routes exist to connect transit service to the coast,” Webb said in his letter.

Realtors and residents packed a recent City Council meeting and showed up in force at a study session on Measure M funds, arguing that the tracks ran through backyards, would cut through neighborhoods and were depressing property values because sellers had to disclose that the study would take place.

Council members had told citizens they didn’t see the right-of-way as a realistic choice for rail transit but saw no way to exclude the option before a consultant-led study began.

As recently as Tuesday evening, council members told concerned residents they would have to wait until the city chose a consultant and the study began.

Councilman Keith Bohr said Wednesday evening he had not yet heard of the Department of Public Works’ decision, but he applauded it.

“I thought it was inconceivable that we would do anything south of Ellis,” Bohr said. “From a logical standpoint, we’re not going to go through people’s yards. If Public Works has found a way to do that, that’s fine by me.”

Efforts to reach other council members and city staff Wednesday evening were unsuccessful.