INC NEWS - Drought puts a hold on water, sewer decision

[John Schelp]

>>developers moving forward under one set of
assumptions are forced to stop the development process
because there is a new set of assumptions...

All the more reason for City Council not to vote to
annex new lands and extend water & sewer lines to a
proposed development -- until we have firm
numbers/solutions for future water capacity.

Fortunately, Council is asking staff for firm numbers
on anticipated water capacity. As someone said at
Monday's City Council meeting, we shouldn't add new
housing units until we know the numbers/capacity. 

In Raleigh, City officials have these figures and can
therefore plan to add X number of housing units.
Following what was said at Monday's Council meeting --
right now, we can't.

Below is more coverage on WRAL-TV.

~John


Water Woes May Put Durham Development on Hold
WRAL-TV, 4 Dec 2007

Potential development in Durham could be put on hold
because it appears there may not be enough water to go
around.

Developers want to build Jordan at Southpoint, a
228-unit subdivision, in Durham. Councilmembers had
already approved plans, but on Monday, they delayed a
vote to extend water and sewer lines to the area.

Mayor Bill Bell said because of Durham's water woes,
the city cannot make a commitment of providing
services to a developer it cannot keep.

Lake Michie and Little River Reservoir – the city's
two main water supplies – are drying up, leaving the
city with only 52 days worth of water left.

City staffers were expected to meet with the developer
of the proposed neighborhood located on Fayetteville
Road to determine exactly how much water the
subdivision would use. Bell asked officials to look at
how many projects are in the pipeline and how the
drought could impact those developments.

Bell said he does not think the drought will lead to a
housing moratorium. He said developers are more than
welcome to submit plans with the knowledge that water
and sewer lines may hold a project up.

Bell said his concern is making sure there's enough
water for the homes and residents already living in
the city.

****