Minutes 03-21-2026-Retreat - Laserfiche WebLink

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36 Todd Taylor confirmed the intent was to make it fairer for the original developer who initiated the extension to get reimbursed when future connections take place on the lines they paid to install. Commissioner McKee said it sounds like no planning was done that considers a change to WASMPBA. Todd Taylor said that is correct. He clarified that OWASA doesn't plan to serve areas outside of its established boundaries until the boundaries change, and then it would study how to accommodate that growth. He emphasized the growth-pays-for-growth policy, noting that even studies like the 15-501 concept plan were paid for by Chapel Hill rather than OWASA ratepayers. Commissioner McKee said he feels like without a change to WASMPBA and rural buffer, there will be no chance for housing affordability in the county. Commissioner Carter agreed the board would need conversations about policy change. Chair Hamilton reminded the Board that the purpose of these presentations is to understand the landscape, so they have the background while developing the 2050 Land Use Plan. Commissioner McKee said he has heard the same conversation this Board for 15 years, but there has been no change to policy. Commissioner Greene defended existing policies directing growth within urban service boundaries where affordable housing was possible. Chair Hamilton asked about the projected growth within the service boundary and what it means for affordable housing. Todd Taylor said the data OWASA has received comes from the towns and the university, and that is how they determine the need to increase capacity or not. He said he can only speak to the policies in place at the current moment. Chair Hamilton summarized that OWASA has the capacity to accommodate the towns' and university's projected growth. Todd Taylor said yes. He said if they grow faster or slower,that may change the projection. Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked about the Rangewood service restrictions, confirming that policy changes would require agreement among all parties to the WASMPBA. Todd Taylor said that is correct, it is part of WASMPBA restrictions. Commissioner Carter explored capacity expansion implications beyond the current projections. She noted that the full system capacity is much larger than the current projections when considering the quarry upgrade and the Jordan Lake mutual aid. Todd Taylor confirmed additional water supplies, treatment capacity, and infrastructure could accommodate more growth but emphasized significant costs. He said accessing the Jordan Lake allocation around 2050 would cost hundreds of millions of dollars, paid by ratepayers within the service boundary through monthly bills. Commissioner Carter noted the policy that developers pay for extensions. Todd Taylor clarified that major infrastructure, like water treatment plant upgrades, was funded by OWASA ratepayers through system development fees, requiring long-term planning rather than house-by-house upgrades. The Board took a break from 3:12 to 3:30 p.m.