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Mr. Musallam began the discussion stating
that the county is part of the comprehensive water plan that was
done in 2000 to provide water to certain areas in the county
deemed critical area of need as part of their approach to smart
growth of the county and to prevent any hazard growth that would
result in sanitary sewer issues. He stated that this plan did
address providing water outside the urban growth areas that have
been decided on as part of the plan. He presented an
illustration to the Board and explained that they are looking to
address existing water problems with existing developments. He
presented the Board with documents related to the Teleflex water
line as an example of what can be done. He explained that at
this point he is looking for direction from the Board on the
Tedrow Waterline and any future situations that may occur.
He stated that in 2000 they established a
policy which was adopted by the Board to provide water to those
with distressed property, and also to prevent any unnecessary
taps that could result in hazard growth. He said there is no
such policy in place on the Tedrow Waterline. He further stated
that in Tedrow itself, the lots are fully developed so no
additional taps will be requested there, however there has been
a request received for taps between Tedrow and the urban growth
area of Wauseon. Anything west of the Dover Meadows Subdivision
is outside the urban growth area for Wauseon. He said the
waterline does have the capacity for additional taps, however
wants to proceed with caution and to plan ahead to avoid
problems with hazard growth in the future. He stated that
should these lots begin to split, it could put a burden on the
sanitary sewer system and disposal.
Steve Brown, Regional Planning Director was
also present for the discussion and answered questions regarding
lot sizes. He stated that the minimum is 1 acre. Less than 2
acres would require 150 feet of road frontage. More than 2
acres would require 250 feet.
Mr. Musallam stated that any new waterline
extension request that come in, they look at the comprehensive
plan and urban growth area.
He stated that like in the Teleflex line
plan, it needs to state if a water tap is or is not available.
If the lots begin to split, they can, however will be informed
that water is not available.
Mr. Brown stated that if it is less than 5
acres, they have to show proof of water, drill a well or plan
the potential for a pond even if there is a line that runs
through their front yard. At that point the owners question why
they can’t just tap into the waterline. He noted that if they
are outside the urban growth area and are denied, what course of
action will they have if they dig the well as required and then
the well dries up?
Commissioner Genter asked Mr. Brown is the
Regional Planning Commission was involved in the Teleflex
Waterline. Mr. Brown said that discussion were held with Mr.
Musallam but no recommendations were made. Commissioner Genter
suggested getting a recommendation from the Regional Planning
Commission on this issue because it will not just reflect on
Tedrow but the entire Northeast Quarter of Fulton County. Mr.
Brown stated that he would bring this up to the Regional
Planning Commission and also thinks that the Commission should
re-examine the urban growth areas. The next Regional Planning
Commission meeting is on Tuesday the 26th.
Vond Hall, County Administrator, directed a
question to Mr. Musallam stating that they have already
identified these critical of need for water because there’s
residential properties without adequate water and questioned the
difference between someone who built a house there 10 years ago
and the well went bad as opposed to someone who builds a house
now and the well goes bad 10 years from now. And further added
that if you put in a water line to meet the needs of property
owners 10 years ago, why can’t it meet the need 10 years from
now?
Mr. Brown stated that there may be a
petition coming from existing users along that road, which is
fine, however, they are not encouraging development in that area
just because there is a waterline there.
Commissioner Short presented a scenario:
He builds a home in this area. He follows
all the requirements to prove that there is water. He punches a
well in it. The well goes dry. He doesn’t have enough room for
a pond. That puts him in a critical area of need. However,
under this plan he will still not be able to get water even
though there’s a waterline going right through his front yard.
He stated that he has a real problem with that.
Commissioner Genter stated that he had a
real problem with anyone building in a area with no water. Mr.
Hall agreed and stated that was where he was going with his
previous comments. Mr. Hall stated that the problem has already
been identified in that area and will run into the problem
exactly as Commissioner Short said and that we know now what we
didn’t know back then. Commissioner Genter stated that building
within areas that are within that known problem area should be
denied pursuant to the comprehensive plan.
This matter will come before the Regional
Planning Commission on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 and will come
back before the Board of Commissioners for further discussion.
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