HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/07/2006 Blue Sheet Interpreting the Northwest Area Plan
TOWN COUNCIL
MEETING
INFORMATION
TOWN OF MARANA
MEETING DATE:
March 7, 2006
AGENDA ITEM: J. 5
TO: MAYOR AND COUNCIL
FROM: Frank Cassidy, Town Attorney
SUBJECT: Relatin2 to Water; Interpreting the Northwest Area Plan
non potable water system requirement as it relates to service to
individual residential lots
DISCUSSION
The nonpotable water policy found in the Land Use Element of the Northwest Area Plan (Goal 3,
Policy 6, paragraph 5, found on page 64 of the Plan) applies the following requirement to all
development in Northwest Marana: "Require dual water lines and the utilization of alternative
water sources to minimize strains on the Town's water supply."
Based on this provision (as applied to various developments by conditions of rezoning), the
Town has required all new development projects in Northwest Marana to install an alternative
water supply system for the delivery of irrigation quality water to all common areas, parks, other
shared or public areas with significant landscape water requirements, and each individual
residential lot. The alternative water supply (nonpotable) system will allow the Town to
distribute water to its customers for use on landscaping that is lower in both cost and quality than
potable water. Water supplies that could be delivered in the nonpotable system include harvested
stormwater, Central Arizona Project water or effluent, anyone of which could be delivered with
less extensive treatment than potable water. The long term cost benefit may be substantial.
The Town first required the installation of the nonpotable system in the first phase of the
Gladden Farms development. As a result of the Town's experience operating the system within
Gladden Farms, Town staff recommends discontinuing direct nonpotable system connection to
each individual residential lot.
Homeowners pay no direct cost for the water they receive through the nonpotable system, giving
them no incentive to conserve water. This undermines the Town's water conservation goal that
was the reason for requiring installation of the nonpotable system in the first place.
It still makes sense to require the nonpotable system to be installed to serve common areas,
parks, and other shared or public areas with significant landscape water requirements. These
areas are typically managed by landscape professionals and can be cost-effectively metered ifthe
need arises.
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RECOMMENDATION
The Northwest Area Plan provides (at page 43):
"Whenever there is any question regarding the interpretation of the provisions of
this Area Plan or their application to any specific case or situation, the Town
Council shall interpret the intent of this title by written decision, and such
interpretation shall be followed in applying said provisions."
Staff recommends that the nonpotable water requirement of the Northwest Area Plan be
interpreted to require the nonpotable system to be installed to serve common areas, parks, and
other shared or public areas with significant landscape water requirements, and not to require
installation of the nonpotable water system to each individual residential lot.
ATTACHMENT
Staff-proposed written decision ofthe Town Council, interpreting the nonpotable water policy.
SUGGESTED MOTION
I move to authorize the Mayor to sign the written decision provided by staff, interpreting the
nonpotable water policy found in the Land Use Element of the Northwest Area Plan to require
the developer-installed nonpotable water system infrastructure to serve all common areas, parks,
and other shared or public areas with significant landscape water requirements, and not to require
the infrastructure to be installed to each individual residential lot.
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~~ TOWN OF MARANA
I.. I
MARANA TOWN COUNCIL WRITTEN DECISION INTERPRETING
~/ t '\. NORTHWEST AREA PLAN NON POTABLE WATER
TOWN Of MAllANA REQUIREMENT
Town Staff has requested that Town Council issue an interpretation of the nonpotable water
policy found in the Land Use Element of the Northwest Area Plan (Goal 3, Policy 6,
paragraph 5, found on page 64 of the Plan), which requires the installation of "dual water lines
and the utilization of alternative water sources to minimize strains on the Town's water supply."
The Northwest Area Plan provides (at page 43) that Northwest Area Plan requirements shall be
interpreted by the Town Council by written decision.
The Town first required the installation of the nonpotable system in the first phase of the
Gladden Farms development. As a result of the Town's experience operating the system within
Gladden Farms, Town staff has recommended that the Town Council issue a written decision
interpreting the Northwest Area Plan's nonpotable water policy not to require future nonpotable
water system installations to connect to each individual residential lot.
Homeowners pay no direct cost for the water they receive through the nonpotable system,
giving them no incentive to conserve water. The Town Council finds that this undermines the
Town's water conservation goal that was the reason for requiring installation of the nonpotable
system in the first place.
Now, THEREFORE, the Town Council hereby issues its written decision, interpreting Goal 3,
Policy 6, paragraph 5 of the Northwest Area Plan Land Use Element to require developer-
installed nonpotable water system infrastructure to serve all common areas, parks, and other
shared or public areas with significant landscape water requirements, and not to require the
infrastructure to be installed to each individual residential lot.
DATED this th day of March, 2006.
Mayor Ed Honea
ATTEST:
Jocelyn C. Bronson, Town Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Frank Cassidy, Town Attorney
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March 7, 2006
3/1/20065:16 PM FJC