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Requests for Utility Connections Within the Remen Tract Over the years, the City Council has authorized sewer and water connections for existing developed lots within the unincorporated area northerly of Vineyard Avenue and westerly of Bernal Avenue known as the Remen Tract. Under the General Plan policy, a number of years ago, the Council approved a request from Rick Hempy to connect two existing homes within the Remen Tract to the City sewer system. In that particular case, the existing septic systems for the properties were in disrepair, and the Alameda County Department of Health Services had recommended that the City allow connection to the City sewer system for health and safety reasons. In another case, staff received a request from Rick Hempy and Mike Faber for water and sewer service for two undeveloped parcels immediately east of the other two existing homes that were approved for sewer service. The City was obligated to provide water service c because the properties are located within the former Pleasanton County Township Water District. Mr. Hempy and Mr. Faber had proposed to construct a single-family home on each of these two parcels. Initially, according to the established general policy, staff denied the request for sewer service. Messrs. Hempy and Faber then approached the County for permission to construct a septic system but were denied by County staff because a City sewer is located within 200 feet of each parcel. Consequently, Messrs. Hempy and Faber again requested consideration for sewer service. On their behalf, they pointed to several factors as reasons for the City to provide sewer service. Their properties are existing lots of record for which single-family homes were being proposed and have public sewer mains within 200 feet. Further, the properties are located with the Pleasanton County Township Water District and, therefore, were entitled to City water service. They also argued that there remain very few developable parcels in the Remen Tract for which sewer service will be requested. And finally, with the construction of single-family homes on the two proposed parcels, they feel the opposition to annexation will decrease as concerns regarding development density will be diminished. The City authorized the sewer connections in this instance. This has previously been a threshold issue with the Council, with the Council stating on numerous occasions that utility service should not be provided to County areas except for health and safety reasons. Obviously, for new development, there are no health and safety considerations. Additionally, the City has denied sewer service on numerous occasions to owners of property outside the City who could not or would not annex to the City. Although these properties may have had situations different than those of the Hempy/Faber property (e.g., not within 200 feet of a sewer), these denials have caused hardship in some situations SR:02:284 Revises SR 02:276 11/19/02 Page 4 of 10