03 - Laserfiche WebLink

BACKGROUND Mr. Rick Hempy is requesting City sewer service for his existing residence at 3568 Vine Street located within the Remen Tract outside the City limits as shown on Attachment 1. The existing septic system serving this parcel is in need of replacement; however, Alameda County, Department of Environmental Health, restricts repairs or installation of septic systems when a lot is less than 40,000 square feet or a public sanitary sewer system is within 200 feet of the property. The existing lot is 14,100 square feet and the residence could be served by an 8" sanitary sewer main on Vine Street. This sewer main was installed by the Swartz's in 2003 to serve their three parcels on Vine Street. This sewer main is subject to a reimbursement agreement and Mr. Hempy would be required to pay his pro-rata share of the sanitary sewer. This property has been connected to the City water system for the past twenty-five years. The City has no record of a preannexation agreement with this property. However, at that time, preannexation agreements were not required in order to receive City services. Preannexation and Provisions of Sanitary Sewer Service Agreement Historically, when an owner of property located outside the City limits requests sewer service, the City has granted such request only after determining that the use on the property to be serviced is consistent with the City's General Plan and after receiving assurances that the property owner will enter into a preannexation agreement. This agreement allows the owner to connect to the City's sewer system prior to the property being annexed to the City providing the following requirements are met: The property owner agrees to (a) pay the sewer connection fees, (b) pay all costs associated with extending the sewer system to serve this property, (c) pay all costs associated with the connection to and use of the sewer system, (c) abandon the existing septic system on the property, (d) pay all City and County processing fees for LAFCo approval, and (e) support any subsequent annexation initiative that may occur. DISCUSSION The City normally requires that properties annex to the City in order to receive City utility services. The Hempy parcel is not contiguous to the City limit boundary and would require annexation of other parcels if annexation of this parcel were to occur. There are 42 parcels within the unincorporated Remen Tract and currently 25 preannexation agreements with the City. The issue of annexing the Remen Tract goes back over 25 years with the first request for City utilities. As with other efforts to annex this area, the City has not yet reached a consensus with the residents regarding such issues as infrastructure costs, land use policies, and the willingness to be annexed into the City. Annexation of the Remen Tract will require a number of neighborhood meetings to address concerns of the residents. Page 2 of 3