Loading...
2001-11-19 Water & Sewer Distri NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 19, 2001PAGE 684 ASSEMBLY The District Commissioners of the New Hanover County Water and Sewer District met in Regular Session on Monday, November 19, 2001, at 1:10 P.M. in the Assembly Room of the New Hanover County Courthouse, 24 North Third Street, Wilmington, NC. Members present were Chairman Robert G. Greer; Vice-Chairman Nancy H. Pritchett; District Commissioner Julia Boseman; District Commissioner William A. Caster; District Commissioner Ted Davis, Jr.; County Manager, Allen O’Neal; County Attorney, Wanda M. Copley; and Deputy Clerk to the Board, Teresa P. Elmore. Chairman Greer called the meeting to order. NON-AGENDA ITEMS Chairman Greer announced that time had been reserved to allow the public to present an item that was not listed on the Regular Agenda. He requested all persons speaking to limit their remarks to three minutes. No items were presented. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairman Greer called for a motion to approve the minutes of November 5, 2001. Motion: District Commissioner Caster MOVED, SECONDED by Vice Chairman Pritchett, to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on November 5, 2001, as presented by the Deputy Clerk to the District Board. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST FOR SEWER CAPACITY FOR A PROPOSED SUBDIVISION ON SIDBURY ROAD County Engineer Wyatt Blanchard reported that staff has received a request from Stroud Engineering on behalf of his client, requesting sewer capacity for a 400-lot residential subdivision off Sidbury Road. The developer plans to phase the development of the project beginning with fifty lots. He is proposing to install a pump station to County standards and pump the sewer approximately three miles along Sidbury Road to the force main at Market Street and Futch Creek Road. Staff is concerned about the distance and the remote location. The further away from the force main, the County will need to provide more treatment for the waste. Furthermore, the downstream system was not built to handle the flow from that area. If the Planning Board approves the subdivision, the developer will have to install a dry sewer system. County Engineer Blanchard stated that because the developer’s proposal does not comply with the planned sewer system for this area, he recommend that the Board deny the request. NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 19, 2001PAGE 685 Mr. James H. Fentress, Jr., of Stroud Engineering, representing the landowner, spoke concerning the plans to develop the 400-lot subdivision. He felt that the most sensible sewer solution for the area was to connect to the County’s sewer system. The landowner is proposing to build a public lift station to serve the region and he is willing to pay the cost of the construction to provide capacity for his project. In response to Staff’s concern for the remote location, he argued that the property is in the county and it will be eventually served by the County. The cost to expedite at this time will be offset by the increased tax revenue and user fees to the County. On the downstream capacity issue, the landowner will pay the cost associated with providing the additional construction to serve the project. Concerning the non-compliance with the County’s plan, he stated that no other feasible sewer connections were available. The County does have the necessary rights-of-way for the connection to the collection system. Vice Chairman Pritchett asked if the County has the sewer capacity in the sewage treatment plant. County Engineer Blanchard responded that capacity is available on first-come first-served basis, including the existing houses that will be connected prior to the expansion. The Kings Grant area will have capacity when the County makes their request for a new permit next year. The County will only allow developers to have a portion of their capacity requests for now and until the waste treatment plant is expanded. The area is not scheduled to receive sewer until 2020, and it will not be feasible to expand sewer until the area is more developed. Another concern was that pump stations in remote areas were difficult for the County to maintain. He suggested that the developer consider other options of waste disposal for the subdivision. Other options included on-site disposal, or on-site treatment plant disposal or reuse. He offered to work with Mr. Fentress to determine a suitable option. Motion: Vice Chairman Pritchett MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Boseman, to deny the request by Stroud Engineering for sewer capacity for the residential subdivision off Sidbury Road. Upon vote the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. In other discussion, District Commissioner Boseman requested the status of sewer availability for industrial development along Highway 421 North. County Engineer Blanchard responded that because the area is sparsely developed and across the river, nothing is planned until 2020. Industrial waste must be pre-treated before it is collected by the County’s sewer system. Commissioner Boseman commented that having water and sewer systems are important to bring new industry to the area, especially during times of slow economic growth. She asked the County Engineer to suggest how the County could expand sewer to the area before the scheduled date. NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2 REGULAR MEETING, NOVEMBER 19, 2001PAGE 686 County Engineer Blanchard responded that most of the acreage belongs to the old Hercofina and they maintain a well field on the vacant land. Some of the property belongs to the Royal family. The County studied the area about 6 to 8 months ago and determined that it would cost $5 to $7 per 1,000 gallons to provide sewer service. County Manager O’Neal reported that 6 or 8 months ago, the County worked with a group consisting of the Committee of 100, Pender County, and others, to determine the feasibility of providing sewer, natural gas, and other services to the area. The group made a report, but the findings did not conclude anything. The major concern was the cost of water and sewer treatment because of the sparseness of industrial development in the area. He stated that he would provide District Commissioner Boseman the report on the group’s findings. County Manager O’Neal commented that the County’s future objective must include more regional cooperation since the County’s economy is not only dependent upon the boundaries of the City of Wilmington or the beach municipalities, but of the surrounding counties. Regional discussions will become more critically important. In the meetings held by the Council of Governments, where cooperation was discussed, Pender and Brunswick Counties seemed to be interested in cooperating on a variety of regional issues. Water and sewer services are issues of regional concern. County Engineer Blanchard pointed out that the County has two major areas available for industrial development. Water and sewer are available on vacant land north of Kerr Avenue and at the I-40 Exchange. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairman Greer called for a motion to adjourn. Motion : District Commissioner Boseman MOVED, SECONDED by Vice Chairman Pritchett, to adjourn. Upon vote the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Chairman Greer adjourned the meeting at 1:25 P.M. Respectfully Submitted, Teresa P. Elmore Deputy Clerk to the Board