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