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15 <br /> Slide#4 <br /> Ma� <br /> GRAVELLY HILL <br /> PROJFCT COST$2M W/NO FUNDING SOURCE IDENTIFIED TO DATE <br /> ?lam <br /> Kyle Smith outlined a proposed improvement: extending the 12-inch gravity line to Graveley Hill <br /> pump station across the interstate, which would free up approximately 500 acres north of the 1-40/85 <br /> corridor east of Buckhorn, south of the railroad, primarily for economic development and industrial <br /> facilities.This project was estimated at$2 million with no identified funding yet. <br /> Commissioner Bedford asked whether the red line on the map extended gravity feed service area <br /> to Graveley Hill or represented a proposed force main. <br /> Kyle Smith clarified it was gravity service, extending from an existing gravity line behind the <br /> Medline facility toward the former jockey lot location, running under the interstate to serve land on the <br /> other side. <br /> Commissioner Portie-Ascott noted that freeing up 500 acres might enable residential <br /> development near the proposed school, since people liked living near schools. <br /> Kyle Smith said that they would still be limited by Graveley Hill pump station capacity despite <br /> planned upgrades, restricting development to less dense patterns like warehouse space. <br /> Chair Hamilton asked about the goal to build 400-500 homes per year and whether some of that <br /> is based on utility capacity. <br /> Mayor Hooks confirmed this reflected current capacity, noting they could "open a barn door" and <br /> dramatically increase certificates of occupancy once the new wastewater treatment plant was operational. <br /> Chair Hamilton asked for estimates of additional housing units possible after expansion <br /> completion. <br /> Preston Mitchell said Mebane's wastewater capacity policy, designed to prevent "paper flow" <br /> situations where fully permitted subdivisions counted against capacity even if construction took years to <br /> complete.This policy prevented sewer moratoriums experienced by other communities. He said the 400- <br /> unit number came from a Stantec study of their 10-year capital improvement program, determining the <br /> number needed to help pay debt through system development fees from new development rather than <br /> burdening current customers. He noted that plant upgrades would have been required regardless of <br /> expansion due to Jordan Lake rules,so current customers would have seen rate increases anyway. Preston <br /> Mitchell explained that 400 was manageable and helped with debt service, though the number might <br />