Railroad officials host information meeting

Staff report

KANNAPOLIS — Officials with N.C. Railroad Co. have planned a public information meeting to answer questions concerning the company's new policy regarding land ownership issues within the railroad's corridor.

The meeting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Kannapolis Train Station.

Scott Saylor, the railroad company's president, has worked with legislators from Rowan and Cabarrus counties and others to develop a new policy to work with landowners to protect the corridor for future transportation needs.

Major features include:

- Eliminating fees for homeowners and most businesses with existing title interest to land within the corridor.

- For the first time, the company will offer an agreement to landowners in the corridor that would guarantee they'll be paid the tax value of any buildings or improvements in the rail corridor built prior to Jan. 1, 2009, if the railroad needs to remove the buildings for rail improvements.

- Businesses within 30 feet of the tracks will continue to pay an annual fee, unless they have an existing title and pay property taxes on the land.

The policy prohibits new construction within 30 feet of the rail line effective Jan. 1, 2009.

A committee of the General Assembly recently recommended legislation that, if passed, will give the public much easier access to maps delineating all rail corridor and other railroads' property or easement boundaries.

"We feel this legislation will help head off land disputes that have occurred in the past between buyers and sellers, while allowing us to maintain important safety standards," Saylor said.

The company owns and manages the 317-mile corridor from Morehead City to Charlotte.