HomeMy WebLinkAboutSunfish Ponds Sanitary SewerSTAFF REPORT
DATE: March 12, 2019
DISCUSSION
AGENDA ITEM: Review Sunfish Ponds Sanitary Sewer Options
SUBMITTED BY: Jack Griffin, City Engineer
REVIEWED BY: Kristina Handt, City Administrator Chad Isakson, Assistant City Engineer
ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL:
What direction should be given to staff in regard to the Sunfish Ponds neighborhood sanitary sewer issue?
BACKGROUND:
A petition requesting municipal sanitary sewer service was received from the Sunfish Ponds Subdivision
in November 2018. The petition was signed by 7 of the 16 neighborhood properties. Staff presented the
petition at the January 15 council meeting, however shortly in advance of the meeting two signatures were
withdrawn, therefore resulting in a petition that did not meet the 35% statutory threshold for initiating a
public improvement.
At issue is whether or not the neighborhood would best be served by municipal sanitary sewer or for the
neighborhood to continue to own and maintain individual on-site treatment systems located on their private
lots and adjacent HOA owned Outlots. At the January 15 meeting, council heard from both property owners
who wanted to continue to maintain private systems and property owners who wanted to know more about
the costs and process to connect to City sewer.
The Sunfish Ponds Subdivision is located immediately adjacent to the Village Area MUSA, just north of
the Legacy at North Star subdivision and sanitary sewer service can potentially be made available through
this development. At this time, the approved Preliminary Plans for the Legacy at North Star subdivision
require sanitary sewer to be extended to the northly plat limits to accommodate a connection by the Sunfish
Ponds neighborhood. Legacy at North Star has recently platted the 1st Addition which is currently under
construction. Sewer service to the northerly plat limits will be made with future phases of the subdivision
with the timing and phasing subject to the developer’s discretion.
PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS:
At the January 15 council meeting, the City Engineer was directed to conduct a high-level analysis for
sewer extension to the Sunfish Ponds neighborhood. The City Engineer will present the findings of this
analysis and request direction from council on next steps.
Should it be determined that municipal sanitary sewer service should be extended to the Sunfish Ponds
neighborhood, a Feasibility Report would need to be completed to review in more detail the feasibility and
capacity of connecting to the Village area sewer system together with the estimated project costs and
assessments. If the improvements are found to be feasible, a Comprehensive Plan Amendment would also
be required to bring the subdivision within the Village Area MUSA before constructing the project.
OPTIONS:
1) Direct staff to take no further action at this time.
2) Direct staff to bring this issue before a future council meeting with a Resolution to Order the
Preparation of a Feasibility Report.
3) Provide other direction to staff as deemed appropriate.
ATTACHMENTS:
• Sunfish Ponds Location Map.
• Sunfish Ponds Existing System Exhibit.
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