AGENDA DATE: 9/4/2024
TITLE:
Title fo
ACSA202400001 Sewer Service for 4874 Three Notched Road
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Public hearing on a proposed amendment of the Albemarle County Service Authority (ACSA) Jurisdictional Area Boundary to permit sewer service to 4874 Three Notched Road in Crozet, Parcel 05600-00-00-07000 (White Hall District).
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Wall, Filardo, Herrick, Barnes, McDermott, Benish
PRESENTER (S): David Benish
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: The applicant has applied for an ACSA Jurisdictional Area amendment to allow sewer service to this parcel due to a failing septic system (Attachment A). The property is located on the north side of Three Notched Road (Rt. 240), near the Beaver Hill Mobile Home Park, in Crozet. The parcel is designated Rural Area in the Comprehensive Plan. Three Notched Road in this area forms the boundary between the Crozet Development Area (south side of Rt. 240) and the Rural Area. The parcel is zoned Rural Areas (RA), consistent with its Rural Area land use designation in the Comprehensive Plan (Attachments B & C).
The parcel is currently designated for “Water Only” service, apparently since 1982. Septic failures have occurred on-site over time. After review, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has denied a permit to install a replacement septic and drainfield due to the size and topography of the property (Attachment D).
STRATEGIC PLAN: Infrastructure Investment - Prioritize, plan, and invest in critical infrastructure that responds to past and future changes and improves the capacity to serve community needs.
DISCUSSION: The Comprehensive Plan’s Community Facilities chapter provides the following guidance concerning delineation of the ACSA Jurisdictional Area and the provision of service in/to the Rural Area:
Strategy 9a: Continue to provide public water and sewer in jurisdictional areas.
Water and sewer jurisdictional areas ensure the County’s Growth Management Policy, Land Use Plan, and Develop Area Master Plans are implemented by guiding the direction of public utility placement. The areas also permit these services to be provided in a manner that can be supported by the utility’s physical and financial capabilities. The jurisdictional areas are those portions of the County that can be served by water or sewer service, or both, and generally follow the Development Areas boundaries. Delineation and adoption of utility project jurisdictional areas by a local governing body is provided for in Virginia Code §15.2-5111. The boundaries of the Development Areas are to be followed in delineating jurisdictional areas. Change to these boundaries outside of the Development Areas should only be allowed when: (1) the area to be included is adjacent to existing lines; and (2) public health and/or safety is in danger. (p.12.29-30) (emphasis added).
This application meets the two criteria established in the Comprehensive Plan for extending service to sites in the Rural Area. In terms of adjacency to existing lines, water lines have been installed adjacent to this site, across Three Notched Road in the Wickham Pond development, approximately 200/250 feet from the parcel/house. The existence of service lines on properties across a street from a property in question has been considered to meet the “adjacency” criteria in past ACSA JA reviews, including previous applications along Three Notched Road. ACSA staff has noted that a Land Use Permit would be needed from VDOT for a road crossing, and a private easement would be needed from the property in Wickham Pond to connect to the closest sewer line. Also, the parcel’s topography sits lower than the sewer manhole and will likely require a grinder pump to allow flow to ACSA’s manhole. The Albemarle Housing Improvement Program (AHIP), which is assisting the property owner with this situation, and VDH are aware of these conditions.
Existing Sewer Lines (green)
Regarding the health and/or safety criteria, VDH has evaluated the site and has denied a request to install a replacement septic system citing, in part, inadequate area for a replacement system, again as noted in Attachment D. Based on the information provided by VDH, staff believes that the health and safety criteria have been met. Extension of public water service is the most viable solution.
Because the parcel is already designated for water service, and because the size of the parcel (one-half acre) and current RA zoning would preclude more intensive development of the parcel, staff is recommending the parcel be designated for “Water and Sewer” service. The designation limiting service to “Existing Structures Only,” typically used for properties in the RA district that are added to the Jurisdictional Area, is not needed in this case.
BUDGET IMPACT: There is no direct budget impact from this request. The property owners would bear the cost for water and/or sewer connections. Funding assistance is being pursued with assistance provided by AHIP.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board approve the attached resolution to amend the Albemarle County Service Authority Jurisdictional Area to designate 4874 Three Notched Road (Parcel 05600-00-00-07000) for “Water and Sewer” service.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Applicant’s Request
B - Location Map with Crozet Master Plan Land
C - ACSA Jurisdictional Area Map
D - Virginia Dept of Health Comments
E - Proposed Resolution