1999-01-19 Water & Sewer District
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2
REGULAR MEETING, JANUARY 19, 1999PAGE 476
ASSEMBLY
The District Board of Commissioners of the New Hanover County Water and Sewer District
met in Regular Session on Tuesday, January 19, 1999, at 10:36 a.m. in the New Hanover County
Courthouse Assembly Room, 24 North Third Street, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present were: District Commissioner Buzz Birzenieks; District Commissioner Ted
Davis Jr.; District Commissioner William A. Caster; Vice-Chairman Charles R. Howell; Chairman
Robert G. Greer; County Manager, Allen O’Neal; County Attorney, Wanda M. Copley; and Clerk
to the Board, Lucie F. Harrell.
Chairman Greer called the meeting to order.
NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Chairman Greer announced that time has been reserved to allow anyone from the public to
present an item that was not listed on the Regular Agenda.
No items were presented.
CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST BY PRIME REALTY FOR THE NEW HANOVER
COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT TO PARTICIPATE IN CONSTRUCTION OF
A SEWER LINE TO A VACANT TRACT OF LAND IN KING’S GRANT JUST OFF
NORTH COLLEGE ROAD
County Engineer, Wyatt Blanchard, reported that Prime Realty has requested the District to
extend a gravity sewer line to a vacant tract of land in King’s Grant just off North College Road. The
company would like to extend the sewer from the Ogden Interceptor along the eastern side of College
Road to the property outlined in the map that was included in the agenda information. The cost for
constructing the line would be $201,000 and very few citizens would be served by this proposal.
After review of the cost and small number of customers served, staff requested the
developer’s engineer to consider constructing a line through King’s Grant in a location which would
serve approximately 50 customers. This option would increase the sewer line from 3,300 feet to
4,500 feet and cost an additional $116,200. In rendering a decision the District Board should
consider the following questions:
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Should the District Board approve a sewer line extension into the King’s Grant area?
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If the sewer line extension is approved, should it be constructed along a route which will
benefit very few customers (approximately 11), or should the sewer line be extended by 1,200
feet to provide a route that will benefit more customers (approximately 50)?
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If the line is constructed to 4,500 feet to serve more customers, does the District Board wish
to participate in the additional cost of $116,200?
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2
REGULAR MEETING, JANUARY 19, 1999PAGE 477
Vice-Chairman Howell explained that the $201,000 would be paid totally by the developer
for extension of the sewer line into a vacant tract located in King’s Grant. This line as proposed by
the developer would serve approximately 11 customers, and the District would be responsible for
maintaining the line at a minimal cost once the line is turned over to the District; however, if staff’s
recommendation is followed, the District Board will have to decide who should pay the additional
cost of $116,200 to extend the line through King’s Grant.
District Commissioner Davis asked County Engineer Blanchard if the sewer line was made
available to the 50 residences, would each home be required to hook onto the system.
County Engineer Blanchard explained that since the sewer line would be ahead of the Master
Plan schedule, the residents would not have to hook onto the system until the wastewater treatment
plant has been expanded. If the residents desire to hook onto the sewer line before this time, the
District would comply to the request.
Discussion was held on who should be responsible for paying the additional cost of extending
the line. County Engineer Blanchard replied that the developer was requesting the District to pay the
$116,200 since he was paying $201,000 for construction of the sewer line into the proposed
subdivision. He stated the District Board has the option to pay any portion of the additional cost.
Discussion followed on the impact of the proposed project on the Water and Sewer
Department. County Engineer Blanchard advised that maintenance of the line would have a minimal
impact on the workload of the department.
District Commissioner Birzenieks asked County Engineer Blanchard to make a
recommendation on the request.
County Engineer Blanchard responded that if a line was constructed, it should be placed in
an area with more customers. However, with the cost other projects underway and the need to save
money for completion of these projects, it would be difficult to recommend payment of the full
amount by the District.
Chairman Greer recommended a 50% payment of the additional cost by the District Board.
District Commissioner Davis asked if staff had contacted the 50 residents to see if they would
be interested in connecting to the sewer line.
County Engineer Blanchard responded that the residents had not be contacted; however, this
area was scheduled to be served by the District in the not too distant future.
Motion:
After discussion of placing the sewer line in an area that will be beneficial to the District,
Vice-Chairman Howell MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Birzenieks for the District
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2
REGULAR MEETING, JANUARY 19, 1999PAGE 478
to pay $58,200 (50%) of the $116,200 additional cost with the developer paying the remaining 50%
for increasing the length of the sewer line into King’s Grant. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST FROM UNIVERSAL DEVELOPERS, INC. TO
EXTEND THE SEWER LINE FROM THE NORTHCHASE INTERCEPTOR TO THE
INTERSECTION OF SIDBURY ROAD AND ENNIS ACRES DRIVE
County Engineer, Wyatt Blanchard, reported that Universal Developers, Inc. has requested
the District to allow the company to extend sewer to Sidbury Road from the NorthChase Interceptor.
The purpose of the request is to serve a proposed 150 to 160 lot subdivision at the intersection of
Sidbury Road and Ennis Acres Drive. As indicated on the map included in the agenda packet, the
proposed project would be on the east side of I-40 and would be remote from all existing sewer.
If this request is approved, the following options can be considered:
Option One: Construction of a gravity sewer line to a location in which a common pump station can
be constructed for the proposed subdivision and Cape Fear Community College site. The cost of this
option is estimated at $1,900,000. This option is preferred by staff.
Option Two: Construction of a pump station to pump the wastewater to the NorthChase Interceptor
on College Road. This option would cost $570,000 to be paid by the developer with no other
property served.
Regardless of the decision rendered by the District Board, the Policy for Connection to the
NorthChase Interceptor would have to be followed by the developer, which consists of the following
items:
1.Existing residential areas and businesses have priority. Data indicates that existing users need
580,000 gallons per day, including the industrial area and Pender County. This leaves
approximately 250,000 gallons per day available for new development.
2.Sewer plans for the area will be reviewed to hook-up existing areas that are experiencing
septic problems. This data will be furnished by the Environmental Health Division of the
Health Department.
3.Requests for new development allocation of available capacity of the NorthChase Interceptor
may be allowed in advance of the Master Plan schedule provided the following items have
been met:
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The developer must construct the sewer system in compliance with District plans and
specifications.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2
REGULAR MEETING, JANUARY 19, 1999PAGE 479
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The developer will pay for the entire system for connection but will be reimbursed as
additional new development connects to the system. The District will pay for connection of
existing development.
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The District Board of Commissioners must review and approve each new development
request for connection in order to be able to consider other factors that may be peculiar to
each case.
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The allocation must be used within 18 months of being granted by the District, or it will be
taken back by the District.
In closing, County Engineer Blanchard requested the District Board to keep in mind that the
District currently has over 100 pump stations to operate and maintain.
A lengthy discussion followed on the best option to select. County Engineer Blanchard
reported that Option 1 would be preferred; however, the cost to cross I-40 would be extremely
expensive. Two other factors to consider are that sewer is not scheduled for this area until at least
15 years, and the capacity being requested by the developer would require 54,000 gallons per day.
Assistant County Manager, Dave Weaver, informed the Board that approval of this request
would set a precedent. To allow a developer with a vacant piece of property that is not within the
sewer plan to construct a line will open the door to similar requests.
District Commissioner Birzenieks asked County Engineer Blanchard if the request should be
approved.
County Engineer Blanchard responded that with the location of the subdivision, construction
of the sewer line would not greatly benefit the District.
Mr. Afshin Roshdi, representing Universal Developers, Inc. reported that existing residences
on septic tanks systems could also hook up to the sewer line. He advised that the proposed line would
serve160 new units as well as approximately 50 existing homes, which would benefit the area.
Chairman Greer reminded the District Board that other residents could request to be
connected to the system with the District being responsible for running the lines.
Motion:
After further discussion of District projects already underway, District Commissioner
Birzenieks MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Davis to deny the request with the
understanding that Universal Developers, Inc. can bring back the request at a future date. Upon vote,
the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK 2
REGULAR MEETING, JANUARY 19, 1999PAGE 480
ADJOURNMENT
Motion:
District Commissioner Birzenieks MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Caster
to adjourn. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Chairman Greer adjourned the meeting at 11:00 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the District Board