Agenda - 02-28-1990 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

v - a 2 The Basic Strategy of 5-acre minimum lot size, impervious surface limits and individual on-site septic systems is consistent with the CDM recommendations for a nonstructural program. The Cluster Alternative is a variation of CDM's cluster configuration proposed to the Work Group by local and OWASA staff. The proposed grandfathering of existing lots, the provision for a limited number of smaller lots, and Chatham County's 2-acre density were evaluated by OWASA staff using the CDM computer model, and yielded water quality estimates consistent with the goal of minimal degradation. All impervious surface limits specified in the Proposed Agreement are the same as those modeled. The CDM model provided a valuable and appropriate technical tool for testing scenarios generated through the political process. The Proposed Agreement also represents a thoughtful - and thoroughly debated - sharing of responsibility for watershed protection among all three local parties, as well as OWASA. Orange County and Carrboro would exercise responsibility for land use controls, but Chapel Hill would share any legal and compensatory costs if a court found that the watershed regulations constituted a taking (5.b) . OWASA's public stewardship role is recognized through a proposal to fund certain watershed protection and conservation activities (5.d) . Specific Items Involving OWASA Three elements of the Proposed Agreement pertain specifically to OWASA, and should be considered by the Board of Directors. Item 5.d requests OWASA "to create a watershed protection fund to acquire rights in particularly sensitive land, or take other appropriate steps to encourage preservation of water quality within the county." This is consistent with OWASA's stewardship role of managing a valuable community resource held in public trust, and is much more appropriate than earlier suggestions that OWASA underwrite a guarantee of private property values in the watershed. The stewardship role - and use of OWASA funds - would logically include the Authority's existing agricultural cost-share program with participating farmers in University Lake and Cane Creek watersheds, and might extend to water quality monitoring and other special technical or educational activities. Creation of a specific Watershed Protection Fund could be addressed through OWASA's budget and CIP cycle next Spring. Item 7 requests OWASA "to conduct a study of the advisability of making public water services available within the University Lake watershed," and "to report to the joint ,planning jurisdictions by April 30, 1991 on its findings and recommendations." This element arose from concerns about the fairness of regulating the property of residents who might not be allowed to use the drinking water that the regulations were intended to protect. OWASA could commission or conduct a special study similar to CDM's watershed study - with advisory participation by local citizens, elected officials, and technical/legal experts. Such an effort would, by necessity, consider related issues of sewer service. For example, would water • service stimulate a greater demand for sewer extensions, either through accelerated development pressure or through a higher rate of septic system