• W. Vernon Simpson and Maggie Simpson own two adjoining parcels located to the east of the light rail right-of-way at the corner of South Boulevard and Carson Boulevard. The total area of both parcels is 17,042 square feet (0.39 acres). The City needs to acquire 5,619 square feet of permanent easement and 843 square feet of temporary construction easement for a traction-powered substation on the South Corridor Light Rail Project. 
  
• Mr. Simpson opposes the location of the substation on the above mentioned property and has requested that the City relocate the substation to property he owns to the west of the rail right-of-way. 
  
• Mr. Simpson is also contesting the City’s rights within the rail right-of-way.
  
• Staff met with Mr. Simpson on July 12 to inform him that CATS had determined that the substation could not be relocated without incurring additional time and costs. The Environmental Impact Statement that CATS undertook in 2002 identified this site as the most appropriate location because of the Fairfield condominium complex under construction south of the Carson Boulevard intersection on the western side of the rail right-of-way. 
  
• Staff explained that in order to consider relocating the substation an additional environmental assessment and public meetings would be required. Staff also explained that in order to minimize noise from the substation, it was being designed to include a brick façade which would insulate sound. This would require additional land to be purchased (previously estimated area to be acquired was 1,778 square feet). 
  
• Substation locations are determined by their relationship to other substations. An optimal system would have a calculated number of substations evenly spaced along the mainline. The total number is based on system performance requirements. 
  
• The area to be acquired also includes an existing driveway cut from Carson Boulevard to Palmer Street, which is used by trucks making deliveries to Simpson Electric Company, the adjoining property. The driveway cut will be replaced with a new driveway cut across the remainder of the property from Carson Boulevard to Palmer Street.
  
• An appraisal is currently underway to determine just compensation for the purchase and is expected to be completed in a few days. When the appraisal is completed, staff will prepare a written offer for the property and meet with Mr. Simpson again.

City staff will continue to negotiate with Mr. Simpson in the hope of reaching a mutually acceptable resolution.