03/28/1977 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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1-A-3 thru 1-8-1 C. Proposed reV1Slons to City's water policy Recommended by Planning Department Manager said under the new charter effective April 1, the responsibility of water extension services will become that of the Eugene City Council. Recent litigation under the present water policy demonstrated certain weaknesses that result in many extensions leading to urban sprawl outside urban service boundaries. One of the most important aspects of the revised policy was a redefinition of what is a health problem with regard to action preventing the spread of a communicable disease. Gary Chenkin, Planning Department, said no further communication had been received by the Planning Department regarding the revised water pOlicy. He reviewed the present water policy, which was adopted ori- ginally in February of 1972, and redefined in March of 1975. That policy provided for extensions if the property was within the urban service area in a location that should be in the City but could not be legally annexed and the owner signed an agreement to annex when it became legally impos- sible; or if there was an existing health hazard to existing property occupants which could only be corrected by securing City water. He said the proposed revision for the Council is not so much a departure from present policy as it is a more detailed expression of that policy. For example, with Boundary Commission approval, service would still be avail- able to properties outside the city but within the urban service boundary provided: 1) annexation is inappropriate or legally impossible; 2) water service will not prolong the life of non-conforming uses; 3) the property is served by an approved means of sewage disposal; and 4) the owner signs. an agreement to annex at the City's option. He said that outside the urban service boundary the proposed policy recognized existing service to Lane Community College and the Airport. Elsewhere, proof of a communicable disease would be required. Current policy requires the existence of a public health hazard, but does not necessarily require the presence of a communicable disease. In areas once part of the water districts served by EWEB but subsequently dissolved, special provisions would be included for forwarding requests for extension to the Boundary Commission with informa- tion regarding the City's policy. Under the new policy, the criteria for providing water within the urban service boundary area remains essentially the same, although it somewhat tightens up the criteria, providing more protection to the city. Mr. Delay asked why under Section 2.2.4, item No. 10 the requirement that the contract be recorded at the expense of the City and why the charge was not made to the person. Mr. Chenkin replied that the agreement had been runni ng three to four pages long and was expensive to record. He said it had been an administrative hassle and administrative cost to get the papers recorded. There had been a development of a one-page notice of agreement, which is recorded by the City saying that the longer agreement was on record. 3/28/7 7--2 .t5~ .. .. ,-" .