HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 03-07-24; 6-a - Amendments to the Water and Sewer Management, Planning, and Boundary Agreement 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: March 7, 2024
Action Agenda
Item No. 6-a
SUBJECT: Amendments to the Water and Sewer Management, Planning, and Boundary
Agreement
DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections
ATTACHMENTS: INFORMATION CONTACT:
1. Resolution for Adoption Consideration Judy Johnson, Town of Chapel Hill Assistant
2. Towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Planning Director, (919) 969-5078
Hillsborough Resolutions Brittany Waddell, Chapel Hill Planning
Director, 919-968-2731
3. Southeast Portion of WASMPBA Cy Stober, County Planning Director, (919)
Appendix A Map Showing Area Proposed 245-2592
for Addition to OWASA Primary Service Perdita Holtz, County Deputy Director— Long-
Area Range Planning & Administration, (919)
4. Petition from The Chamber for a Greater 245-2578
Chapel Hill — Carrboro to the Town of
Chapel Hill
5. OWASA Staff Letter Evaluating Boundary
Expansion on OWASA's Water
Distribution and Wastewater Collection
Systems
PURPOSE: To consider a resolution approving amendments proposed by the Town of Chapel
Hill to the Water and Sewer Management, Planning, and Boundary Agreement.
BACKGROUND: The Water and Sewer Management, Planning, and Boundary Agreement
(WASMPBA) is an agreement signed in 2001 between Orange County, the Orange Water and
Sewer Authority (OWASA), and the Towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough. It was last
amended in November 2020. The agreement provides a comprehensive county-wide system of
utility service areas upon which signatory entities could rely when making decisions related to
issues such as planning, land use, annexation, zoning, and growth management.
The Town of Chapel Hill received a request from the Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro
to modify the boundaries of OWASA's Primary Service Area within the Town's planning
jurisdiction at the June 14, 2023 Council meeting (Attachment 4). At its November 15, 2023
Council meeting, the Town adopted a Resolution to amend the WASMPBA (Attachment 2). All
five signatories to the Agreement must adopt resolutions amending the Agreement before any
proposed amendment is incorporated into the Agreement. Materials for the November 15, 2023
Town Council meeting, including a staff report, are available for viewing at:
https://chapelhiI1.legistar.com/LegislationDetaiI.aspx?ID=6414722&GUID=5B798FC2-BED6-
2
47A5-BB9F-24D77186A447 The staff report prepared by Town staff includes links to additional
materials.
As is shown on the map attached to the Resolution in Attachment 1, the area proposed to be
designated OWASA Primary Service Area contains 139 parcels totaling approximately 360.23
acres. The area has been reviewed by OWASA staff and is technically feasible for provision of
both water and sewer service (Attachment 4). The map in Attachment 3 depicts the southeast
portion of the WASMPBA Appendix A map and shows the extent of the proposed additional
OWASA Primary Service Area.
The area proposed for amendment is entirely within the Town of Chapel Hill's planning jurisdiction.
The majority of the area (approximately 239 acres) is within the Town's Extraterritorial Jurisdiction
(ETJ)while approximately 121 acres to the southeast of Highway 15-501 is designated "Transition
Area" in the Joint Planning Land Use Plan (plan and maps available here). Both ETJ areas and
Transition Areas are lands expected to be served by urban services, such as public water and
sewer systems, and are zoned and otherwise regulated for land use by the Town of Chapel Hill.
Nearly all of the properties within the area of consideration are currently zoned "Residential Low
Density, 1 unit/acre". Rezoning of a property within a Transition Area requires a joint public hearing
of the Town and Orange County, unless a property is voluntarily annexed into the Town of Chapel
Hill, in which case a land use change such as rezoning will be solely within the Town's jurisdiction.
As is explained in the Town staff's report (within the link to the Town Council meeting materials),
some properties in the area under consideration are already served by public water and/or sewer
as they were connected prior to 2000, when the Town's land use plan contracted the urban
services area in this general area of the Town's planning jurisdiction.
Because the WASMPBA is a multi-jurisdiction interlocal agreement, not an adopted plan or
ordinance, amendments to the WASMPBA have historically occurred prior to any subsequent
amendment to a jurisdiction's plans or ordinances. Any necessary reviews related to subsequent
development occur in accordance with the relevant jurisdiction's ordinances. The WASMPBA
does not require any particular analyses or studies be conducted prior to amending the
Agreement.
The dates for considering the proposed amendment to WASMPBA have been/are as follows
(subject to change based on a jurisdiction's agenda review process):
Town of Chapel Hill - November 15, 2023 [approved] - agenda materials:
https://chapelhiI1.legistar.com/LegislationDetaiI.aspx?ID=6414722&GUID=5B798FC2-
B E D6-47A5-B B9 F-24 D77186A447
Town of Carrboro - February 6, 2024 [approved] -
https://carrboro.legistar.com/MeetingDetaiI.aspx?ID=1152754&GUID=B2113EBE-166D-
4D95-8803-AADD1 C5AA44C&Options=info &Search=
Town of Hillsborough - February 12, 2024 [approved] -
https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/hiIIsbronc-pubu/MEET-Packet-
f5750cdc3ecc4acf9401 d22cc2a260cc.pdf
Orange County March 7, 2024
OWASA April 11, 2024
3
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is applicable to
this item:
• GOAL: ESTABLISH SUSTAINABLE AND EQUITABLE LAND-USE AND
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES
The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people of all races, cultures, incomes
and educational levels with respect to the development and enforcement of environmental
laws, regulations, policies, and decisions. Fair treatment means that no group of people
should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences
resulting from industrial, governmental and commercial operations or policies.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal
impact associated with this item.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board review and consider the
proposed amendments to the WASMPBA and consider approval of the Resolution contained in
Attachment 1.
Attachment 1 4
Resolution # RES-2024-013
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, in 2001, Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, Orange County, and
OWASA adopted a Water and Sewer Management, Planning and Boundary
Agreement ("Agreement"); and
WHEREAS, the Agreement was last amended on November 17, 2020, and
WHEREAS, the Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro submitted a petition
to the Town of Chapel Hill on June 14, 2023, requesting that the Town extend the
water and sewer boundary along the US 15-501 South corridor to the Chatham
County line; and
WHEREAS, OWASA's Primary Service Area (Urban Services Area) is where
water and/or sewer service is now provided or might reasonably be provided in
the future; and
WHEREAS, the area proposed for inclusion into OWASA's Primary Service Area
is within the Town of Chapel Hill's planning jurisdiction and is currently
designated as either Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) or "Transition Area" on the
Orange County— Chapel Hill— Carrboro Joint Planning Land Use Plan Map and
Agreement, and
WHEREAS, both of these designations expect urban services, such as public
water and sewer will be provided, and
WHEREAS, the area proposed for designation as OWASA Primary Service Area
has been reviewed by OWASA and is technically feasible for provision of both
water and sewer service; and
WHEREAS, amendments to the Agreement require the approval of all
signatories to the Agreement.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of
Commissioners approves amending Appendix A of the Agreement to designate
approximately 360.23 acres in the southeast Chapel Hill area as an addition to
the "OWASA Primary Service Area", as shown on the map attached hereto.
Upon motion of Commissioner , seconded by
Commissioner , the foregoing
5
amendments were adopted this the day of ,
2024.
Laura Jensen, Clerk, Orange County Commissioners
6
Water & Sewer Service Area Proposal for Southern Chapel Hill
� r
1 I
r
---------------
f
I
r
r
r ►
i ►
r ►
1 ►
►
i 1
I '
r �
r
f f.l
I
I
F ►
► f
1 � �
f
1
i
HA I
J
Area:360.23 acres
Number of parcels: 139
Legend ti
Propawd New Service Area '
r—w= [x din ng Urban Service Boundary ' 11 I'
Ofinge County Parcels
ti
r� CNgel Hill lwndvion Boundary
Orange County Boundary Town of Chapel Hill GlS&Analydcs Q 0.1 02
15•Sol Southern Corridor August 2023 MIIes
7
I, Amy T. Harvey, Deputy Town Clerk of the Town of Chapel Hill,
North Carolina, hereby certify that the attached is a true and
correct copy of (2023-11-15/R-5) adopted as amended by the
Chapel Hill Town Council on November 15, 2023.
This the 7th day of December, 2023.
V f
Amy T. Harvey
Deputy Town Clerk
8
Resolution (Approving the Boundary Agreement Amendment)
A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO APPENDIX A OF THE WATER AND
SEWER MANAGEMENT, PLANNING AND BOUNDARY AGREEMENT (WASMPBA) TO
DESIGNATE 360.23 ACRES IN THE SOUTHEAST CHAPEL HILL AREA AS OWASA
PRIMARY SERVICE AREA" (2023-11-15/R-5)
WHEREAS, in 2001, Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, Orange County, and the Orange
County Water and Sewer Authority ("OWASA") adopted a Water and Sewer Management,
Planning and Boundary Agreement ("Agreement"); and
WHEREAS, the Agreement was last amended on November 17, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro submitted a petition to the Town
of Chapel Hill on June 14, 2023, requesting that the Town extend the water and sewer
boundary along the US 15-501 South corridor to the Chatham County line; and
WHEREAS, the petition notes that the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area is experiencing significant
pressure on the housing supply which is causing prices of housing to increase by up to 20
percent per year; and
WHEREAS, the petition also notes that approximately 43,000 workers commute into Chapel
Hill daily; and
WHEREAS, OWASA's Primary Service Area (Urban Services Area) is where water and/or
sewer service is now provided or might reasonably be provided in the future; and
WHEREAS, expanding the Primary Service Area to the Chatham County line will enable
opportunities to expand housing diversity and bring more housing adjacent to a potential
transit corridor; and
WHEREAS, the 139 lots or portions of lots of Proposed New Service Area as shown on the
map attached hereto, constituting a total area of approximately 360.23 acres, has been
reviewed by OWASA and is technically feasible for provision of both water and sewer
service; and
WHEREAS, to ensure that this proposed service expansion aligns with our Climate Action
plan and our goals of increasing middle housing (including but not limited to townhomes,
triplexes, quadplexes, cottage courts) along with multi-modal infrastructure in this area, we
request that our staff bring back additional steps or strategies the Town Council needs to
take to guide growth in this area and achieve these results; and
WHEREAS, amendments to the Agreement require the approval of all signatories to the
Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the
Council approves amending Appendix A of the Agreement to designate approximately
360.23 acres in the southeast Chapel Hill area as an addition to the "OWASA Primary
Service Area", as shown on the map attached hereto.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council hereby requests that the governing boards of
the Town of Carrboro, the Town of Hillsborough, Orange County, and OWASA consider
approval of the amendment.
This the 15th day of November 2023.
9
Water & Sewer Service Area Proposal for Southern Chapel Hill
i
---------------- �...+
F f
o
1 �
_ F
M
� � r
I � ►
`.`
� t` r
�I
a
�k
2 s47
44� '
f
Chapel Hill
Area:360.23 acres
Number of parcels: 139 - ----L--
15 ND23,pm
Legend x
0 Proposed New Service Area W _ E
Existing Urban Service Boundary
Orange County Parcels
r� Chapel Hill Jurisdiction Boundary S
r j Orange County Boundary Town of Chapel Hill GIS&Ana lytics 0 0.1 0 2
i 15-501 Southern Corridor August 2023 Miles
10
A motion was made by Council Member Posada seconded by Council Member Fray to
approve the following resolution:
A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO APPENDIX A OF THE WATER AND
SEWER MANAGEMENT, PLANNING AND BOUNDARY AGREEMENT (WASMPBA) TO
DESIGNATE 360.23 ACRES IN THE SOUTHEAST CHAPEL HILL AREA AS "OWASA
PRIMARY SERVICE AREA"
WHEREAS, in 2001, Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, Orange County, and the Orange
County Water and Sewer Authority ("OWASA") adopted a Water and Sewer Management,
Planning and Boundary Agreement("Agreement"); and
WHEREAS, amendments to the agreement require the unanimous approval of all signatories; and
WHEREAS, the Agreement was last amended on November 17, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro submitted a petition to the Town of
Chapel Hill on June 14, 2023, requesting that the Town extend the water and sewer boundary
along the US 15-501 South corridor to the Chatham County line; and
WHEREAS, the petition notes that the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area is experiencing significant
pressure on the housing supply which is causing prices of housing to increase by up to 20 percent
per year; and
WHEREAS, the petition also notes that approximately 43,000 workers commute into Chapel Hill
daily; and
WHEREAS, OWASA's Primary Service Area(Urban Services Area) is where water and/or
sewer service is now provided or might reasonably be provided in the future; and
WHEREAS, expanding the Primary Service Area to the Chatham County line will enable
opportunities to expand housing diversity and bring more housing adjacent to a potential transit
corridor; and
WHEREAS, the 139 lots or portions of lots of Proposed New Service Area as shown on the
map attached hereto, constituting a total area of approximately 360.23 acres, has been
reviewed by OWASA and is technically feasible for provision of both water and sewer
service; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel Hill adopted a resolution on November 15, 2023 approving an
amendment to the water and sewer service boundary as described; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel Hill has requested that its staff bring back steps and strategies
to ensure that this proposed service expansion aligns with the Town's Climate Action plan and
its goals of increasing middle housing (including but not limited to townhomes, triplexes,
quadplexes, cottage courts) along with multi-modal infrastructure in this area.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Carrboro Town Council that it approves
amending Appendix A of the Agreement to designate approximately 360.23 acres in the
southeast Chapel Hill area as an addition to the "OWASA Primary Service Area", as shown on
the map attached hereto.
This the 6th day of February in the year 2024.
11
The motion carried 4-2.
Ayes: Mayor Foushee, Council Member Nowell, Council Member Posada, Council Member
Fray
Noes: Council Member Merrill, Council Member Haven-O'Donnell
12
Water & Sewer Service Area Proposal for Southern Chapel Hill
--- •• -
1
1 ,
1 V j
1 �
1 �
1 I �
I � r
�`� �1
+� 1
' +1
1
1 -
542
/r
Tr
� r
� 1
R
Chapel Hill
o f
i
1
Area:360.23 acres r
Nun-ker of parcels: 139 ----L---
_ _ -. - _ nrrGISlNew�mrlµan�ar r-a,ip•,w'�rr g 5rwr-FEZ. 'o�O61&23.aPn
Legend x
Proposed New Service Area
Existing Urban Service Boundary W E
Orange County Parcels
C'_-j Chapel Hill Jurisdiction Boundary S
rJ Orange County Boundary Town of Chapel Hill GI5&Ana lytics 0 0.1 0.2
i 15-501 Southern Corridor August 2023 Miles
13
0R0
RESOLUTION
Amending the Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, Orange County and OWASA
o 17 541, Water and Sewer Management, Planning, and Boundary Agreement
ITN C NRw
WHEREAS, in 2001, Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, Orange County, and OWASA adopted a Water and Sewer
Management, Planning and Boundary Agreement(WASMPBA); and
WHEREAS,the agreement was last amended on Nov. 17, 2020; and
WHEREAS,the Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro submitted a petition to the Town of Chapel Hill on June
14, 2023, requesting that the town extend the water and sewer boundary along the US 15-501 South corridor to
the Chatham County line; and
WHEREAS, OWASA's Primary Service Area (Urban Services Area) is where water and/or sewer service is now
provided or might reasonably be provided in the future; and
WHEREAS, the area proposed for inclusion into OWASA's Primary Service Area is within the Town of Chapel Hill's
planning jurisdiction and is currently designated as either Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) or"Transition Area" on
the Orange County- Chapel Hill - Carrboro Joint Planning Land Use Plan Map and Agreement; and
WHEREAS, both of these designations expect urban services,such as public water and sewer will be provided; and
WHEREAS, the area proposed for designation as OWASA Primary Service Area has been reviewed by OWASA and
is technically feasible for the provision of both water and sewer service; and
WHEREAS, amendments to the agreement require the approval of all signatories to the agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Hillsborough Board of Commissioners approves the amendments to
Appendix A of the agreement to designate additional "Primary Service Area" in Chapel Hill's jurisdiction as shown
on the map attached hereto.
Approved this 12th day of February of the year 2024.
° R o AACJ BW
Mark Bell, Mayor
y Town of Hillsborough
o �7 54`,
C A�°~ Attestation:
Sarah Kimrey,Town qlerk
14
Attachment 3
WATER AND SEWER MANAGEMENT PLANNING AND BOUNDARY AGREEMENT
0
M %. pp e^iEn1ET2 Ar Y1q0
E S L S
61
S
�'Zo
r.
Odd GREENSBCD 0
0
M
Milk—r-
OWASA Primary Service Area
OWASA Long-Term Interest
Area
Area to be Designated OWASA
Effective data 101&20 Primary Service Area
Updated Hillsborough primary Service
Area-B ri:n Carson 10?6f2C
I in=5.0W feet
Updated OWASA Primary Service Aea-a l.nC,.n612WI?
Added Hillsborough Long-term Se"i"AFMiFiam Cd....,I(V5110 ORANGE Am Fed
Revised Orange Cou Iy Primary Service Area,Miriam 1.10 COUNTY
Hillsborough marySurvicoAua_Miriam
r.Pa_._IW27J(M Miriam Coleman,
•
Updated Street.. 21102 Orange County Planning and InspectionsRevised Map to show regraded Chapel Hill Urban Service Boundary,Carrie Whilehill,III 14AH
Original Map prepared by Beth McFarland,04117197 BC 111912024
15
104 South Estes Drive
Chapel
CCC*
The Chamber l Hill,NC .7 p 919.96770750755
For a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro carolinachamber.org
June 14, 2023
2023 Chamber Officers
Lori Doherty,Chair,Doherty Home Inspections
Dan Lehman,Vice Chair,UNCHealth I Mayor Hemminger, Members of Chapel Hill Town Council, and Interim Manager Blue,
Vakesia Graves,Immediate Past-Chair,Duke
Energy
Creighton Blackwell,Chair of the Partnership, In support of Chapel Hill's objectives to increase housing affordability, consistent with the
Coastal Credit Union keytenants of Complete Community, and in furtherance of the affordable housing goals
Sweta Adkin,Treasurer,Adkin CPA
Robert Saunders,General Counsel,Brooks Big Bold Ideas,The Chamber formally petitions the Town of Chapel Hill to evaluate a
Pierce Law Firm
Aaron Nelson,Secretary, limited extension of the current water and sewer boundaries by extending the 2001
The Chamber President&CEO boundary one mile south of the current line to include the US 15-501 corridor to the
2023 Board of Directors Chatham County line at a width ranging between one half mile on either side of US 15-501
Elie Abou-Rjeileh,Olmaz Jewelers
Manish Atma,Atma Hotel Group at the northern portion and narrowing as it approaches the Chatham County line, designed
Jes Averhart,Jes&Co. i to exclude Smith Level Road.
Donna Bell,Congruence Counseling '
La-TashaBest-Gaddy,Infinity Bridges Please note that the land included in this proposed extension is within Chapel Hill's
Tim Dalton,Truist
Greg Fitch,Fearrington Village j Extraterritorial Jurisdiction and outside of the Rural Buffer and that the boundaries set by
Rory Gillis,Triangle Media Partners the 2001 Water and Sewer Management Planning, and Boundary Agreement(WASMPBA)
Dr.Nyah Hamlett,Chapel Hill-Carrboro City
Schools has been modified several times to respond to changing conditions.
Betsy Harris,Vice Chair Government Affairs, i
Armacell In making this petition, we offer the following in support of your consideration of our
Mayor Pam Hemminger,Town of Chapel Hill
Kelly Holcombe,BCBS of NC request:
Joel Levy,Joel I Levy,CPA - Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro is experiencing a significantly increased pressure on our
Scott Maitland,Top of the Hill
Lydia Mason,Piedmont Health limited local housing supply, with prices of for-sale and for-rent housing growing by as
Chris McClure,UNC-Chapel Hill much as 20% per year in the last several years.
PoonamNandani,Hendrick Southport Auto _ The most recent Census commuting data shows more than 48,849 workers commuting
Mall
Tola Oguntoyinbo,Vice Chair Technology, into Orange County from outside every day (43,349 commuting into Chapel Hill).
ShineBig Feedback - The area proposed for service extension is along a robust transportation corridor
Chris Peronto,Vice Chair Strategy,UNC
Kenan-Flagler Business School already served by local transit routes (NS and CCX) and within reach of the planned
Jennifer Player,Habitat for Humanity North-South Bus Rapid Transit.
Eliazar Posada,Posada Strategy Consulting
Anna Richards,Orange County Government - Expanding the OWASA service area will enable the development of multifamily
Caroline Riggsbee,Pinnacle Financial Partners housing, bringing housing more proximate to employment centers, and creating the
Michael Rodriguez,Subway
Wes Rowe,Wintergreen Hospitality population density needed to support transit and reduce commuter traffic.
Mayor Damon Sells,Town ofCarrboro - Extending water and sewer service along the corridor will guide future development to
Mark Sherburne,The Carolina Inn
the 15-501 corridor and away from Smith Level Road.
Ryan Stewart,Trinsic Residential Group
Connolly Walker,Vice Chair Membership, j - Expanding OWASA service will provide reliable water and sewer service, diminishing
Harris&Company Insurance
reliance on aging well and septic systems and offering improved fire protection.
Chamber Staff - Without extension, undeveloped properties along the corridor, currently zoned low-
Aaron Nelson,President&CEO
Jensen Anderson,Director of Community density residential, will likely result in high-end single-family homes as opposed
Engagement I Assistant to the President density.
Rebecca Dickenson,VP for Membership
Seth Hoyle,Communications and Member - Extending water and sewer service to this area is well within OWASA capacities.
Relations Coordinator
Brian Rowe,Chief Financial Officer
McKenzie Steagall,Director of Programs and TThank
kelson,
Member Engagement
Aury St.Germain,Director of Communicationsand Business Development
sident and CEO
You to Our 2023Community Champions!
triangle V NN C !1 i1 THE UNIVERSITY
1� i of NORTH CAROLINA
media �-r H E A LT H. I ! CHAPEL HILL
16
Appendix A
Water and Sewer Management Planning and Boundary Agreement
49 JF
57
�86
i
i
r
/
a
n
1 Y
obano
•
70
'-'Hillsborough f
r�
T.a `
e��1 Caae
i
40 r.
Legend
j Hillsborough Long-Term Interest Area
T Hillsborough Primary Service Area
— OWASA Long-Term Interest Area
Orange County Primary Service Area
OWASA Primary Service Area
J Orange County Long-Term Interest Area
Ch apc l.N
Rural Buffer Boundary
Carrboro b'
f
0 1 2 3 4
Miles
1 inch= 3 miles
Orange Count'Planning antl lntpeGions Oepartmem
1 Updated OWASA Pnmary SONVe Area.Bran Carson 1111712020
f v Updated Hiesa—gh Pnmary Se-ce Area,Brian Carson/0,6120
r Updated OWASA Primary Semce Area.Bran Carson 8126117
Added He"boough Long-Tenn Service Area.Minam Coleman,101Y10
R.-ted orange Caontry Primary
mary Sa Area.Minam Coleman.703/10
Updated Hilsborough Primary Service Area.Miriam Coleman.70r2V08
Updated Streefs.Maiam Coleman.2002
R—of Map to show retracted Chapel Hih Urban Semm Boundary.Came WhdehN.17/1 eql
�WASA Orange Water and Sewer Authority 17
Our community's trusted partner for clean water and environmental protection.
November 9, 2023
Ms.Judy Johnson, Assistant Planning Director
Town of Chapel Hill
405 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd.
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
SUBJECT: Impact of proposed water and sewer boundary expansion in Southern Orange County on
OWASA Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection Systems
Dear Ms.Johnson,
In response to your inquiry, we are providing a summary of a preliminary analysis we conducted to
determine the impacts to the water distribution system and sewer collection system as a result of
potential expansion to the service area. The area of expansion used for analysis is shown below:
�p a at
4Lai
y� r �� rnY GF idir L+F
.� MY An
n pp
p i1N GH6TWr a4 i 6
• dl �
GGyy N
9LfN�E-up �
°po4c�ze5 i r9f'��kµ4yrp �U4
�K N)" /'MY A'3TJYU7 A DR
QA7^Y_'r 9F lF (J� fir_,
WAlEUSL
T.i "0 �r � '4 Existing Water and
Ci
�f Sewer Boundary
� V
"'NARK lT a
�r '•O
�'� r ° Proposed Banded bound ary Figure 1—Proposed Boundary Expansion for the analysis
Demand Projections
Based on conversations with Town of Chapel Hill planning staff, we conducted the analysis assuming
buildout development densities would align with the "missing middle" housing and would result in three
to six dwelling units per acre; we assumed no non-residential development would occur. We further
400 Jones Ferry Road,Carrboro,NC 2751E 0 919-968-4421 (D info@owasa.org 0 @OWASA_NC .' www.owasa.org
18
Impact of proposed water and sewer boundary expansion in Southern Orange County on OWASA Water
Distribution and Wastewater Collection Systems
November 9, 2023
Page 2
broke this assumption down based on whether a parcel was developed or not, and the acreage if it was
developed. Our assumptions are further described in Table 1 below.
Lot type # Dwelling Units # Dwelling Units
Low density scenario High density scenario
Undeveloped 3 per acre 6 per acre
Developed, less than or equal to 2 acres 2 total (1 new) 2 total (1 new)
Developed, greater than 2 acres 3 per acre 6 per acre
Total number of dwelling units 1170 2202
Table 1: Development Assumptions for Water Demand Projections
We did not evaluate the validity of these assumptions on a parcel-by-parcel basis but we did eliminate
OWASA property from the analysis as well as another parcel designated as a utility right-of-way in the
County's parcel data. This resulted in a total of 1170 new dwelling units under the low density scenario
and 2202 new dwelling units under the high density scenario. We assumed that each unit would use an
average of 110 gallons of water per day (gpd) which aligns with average multi-family residential water
use and median residential water use throughout the OWASA service area. Wastewater flow for a
dwelling unit under an average dry weather condition was estimated at 88 gpd (aligning with multi-
family residential use) plus 10 percent of the future flow increase to account for groundwater
infiltration. The resulting water demands for the low density and high density scenarios were analyzed
using our hydraulic models to determine their impact on the existing water distribution system and
wastewater collection system capacity.The results are described in the following sections.
Water Distribution System
Freese and Nichols conducted the water distribution system analysis, which incorporated the additional
demands under average day, maximum day and peak hour conditions and determined the resulting
impacts on existing system capacity, pressure, fire flow and resilience.
Without the additional development, buildout projections of average day demands for the entire service
area are 12.99 million gallons per day (MGD). Based on the assumptions listed in the prior section,
additional demand from the expanded service area would equate to between 0.13 and 0.24 MGD for
the low and high density scenarios, respectively. A desktop analysis of water storage requirements
showed that adding the projected service area expansion had minimal impact on overall system storage
requirements, with the high density scenario requiring an additional 0.20 MGD of storage within the 640
pressure zone that feeds this area, based on peak hour — average day demands. Available fire flow
capacity in the area decreased on average by 7%with the high density demands.
19
Impact of proposed water and sewer boundary expansion in Southern Orange County on OWASA Water
Distribution and Wastewater Collection Systems
November 9, 2023
Page 3
The existing water distribution system extends south along Smith Level Road to the intersection of
Highway 15-501 and Smith Level Road. The neighborhood of Heritage Hills is served by OWASA's
existing system in this area; however, the distribution system is not 'looped' back along Highway 15-501
(connected with two-directions of water supply). Freese and Nichols considered the implications of
additional new development in this area both with and without additional system looping along
Highway 15-501 to analyze the differential impacts on system resilience.
1 _ Due to the decrease in available fire flow capacity
noted above, additional looping was modeled to
improve system resilience in this area assuming the
° .� 6 ma• • " ° ° _ high density scenario. Additional looping would
consist of approximately 4800 lineal feet of
era^ ��• b ' ..�.'..:..
additional 8-inch water main along Highway 15-501
° to improve resilience to the area and restore fire
° flow availability under buildout conditions. Under
•tip a the assumptions of the high density scenario, this
looping is the only capital expenditure found to be
ue necessary for the distribution system as a result of
•'l feN�6.!!h S!Oi i
�. the additional demand at a buildout condition.
ems..
_
Figure 2—Distribution System Additional Looping
Sewer Collection System
CDM Smith conducted the gravity sewer analysis, adding the additional demands to the baseline
buildout scenario, and determining impacts to collection system capacity under both dry weather and
wet weather scenarios.
Based on the assumptions listed in the Demand Projections section above, the expanded service area
would generate an additional 113,000 to 213,200 gpd of flow (low and high density scenarios,
respectively). To convey this additional flow, two new 8" diameter sewer outfalls would be required to
be extending along the east and west side of Highway 15-501 from OWASA's existing system for
approximately 7,700 lineal feet (combined total). Additional footage within the development area is not
included in this total.
20
Impact of proposed water and sewer boundary expansion in Southern Orange County on OWASA Water
Distribution and Wastewater Collection Systems
November 9, 2023
Page 4
~' rxisong Y1raSer and
Sewer Boundary
4.
-r+•'4"' it auifalls a#ended to
exisling sewer system
—Roposed expanded boundary
y
Figure 3—Gravity Outfall Extensions
In addition to the new sewer extensions, there are some impacts to the receiving sewer interceptors
north of the proposed expansion. Between 1,600 and 2,300 lineal feet (low density vs high density
scenarios, respectively) of the Morgan Creek Interceptor would require upsizing from 24-inch to 30-inch.
This interceptor is considered backbone sewer as described in the section below.
Morgan eek.
Cre sitle
eypn
rr o9 c uefl �_
i ritl9e leeF M 61uff
ah
Sy[a re e
eavb.rry ar a o,rya, Low De"Pipe Upsize
Morgan 9ln �h Additional High pens4
Pipe Upsaze
Master Flon upwe
uh Acceptable Sureharpe
Figure 4—Downstream Interceptor Upsizing
OWASA Cost Policies for Growth
OWASA was created with the requirement that it would ensure,to the extent possible,that the ultimate
cost of any extension of water or sewer main would be borne by those primarily benefitting from such
extension. OWASA uses two primary methods to ensure that "growth pays for growth" in its service
area. One method is through adoption and enforcement of service extension policies. The second
method is through System Development Fees that are charged to the owner of any property who
21
Impact of proposed water and sewer boundary expansion in Southern Orange County on OWASA Water
Distribution and Wastewater Collection Systems
November 9, 2023
Page 5
connects their property to OWASA utilities. The purpose of these fees is to recover a portion of
OWASA's Primary Capital Facilities necessary for providing water, sewer, and/or reclaimed water and, in
effect,to "buy in"to the utility system.
The benefitting party pays for main extensions as needed to bring water, sewer, or reclaimed water to
and throughout their property. The extension of service may consist of constructing water, sewer,
and/or reclaimed water mains, service lines, pump stations, and other appurtenances necessary to serve
a property. In addition, to support future orderly development, they are required to provide easement
within their property for main extension to unserved properties. For developed but unserved areas,
residents may request an assessment project, where OWASA manages and builds the desired
infrastructure and recovers all costs needed to serve the benefitting properties through assessment.
When the mains need to be sized larger than required for the property in order to support the needs of
future development, there may be a cost differential, or excess capacity cost, between the size of pipe
required by OWASA and the base size of the pipe required to serve the property. For sewer mains, this
cost is borne by the developer but may be partially or fully recovered through an Excess Capacity Credit
Agreement. With this agreement, OWASA recovers additional 4%of the System Development Fees from
each new customer benefitting from the upsized main and returns them to the developer annually for
ten years. There is therefore no direct cost of the main extension to current customers. For upsizing of
water mains, OWASA pays the excess capacity cost through a betterment agreement with the
developer. Because of the looped and interconnected nature of water mains, there are not distinct
future beneficiaries of the upsized main to whom the cost is attributable: as the entire distribution
system is strengthened,the excess capacity cost is paid by OWASA ratepayers.
System Development Fees ensure that new development pays its share of OWASA's Primary Capital
Facilities, for which OWASA is financially responsible. Those facilities benefit all or large portions of
OWASA's service area and customer base, and include OWASA's lands, buildings, reservoirs, and
treatment facilities; raw water storage and transmission; treated water pumping; ground and elevated
storage tanks; interconnections with Durham, Hillsborough, and Chatham County; "backbone" water,
sewer, and reclaimed water mains (generally those that are 12 inches or larger in diameter); and sewer
pumping stations and force mains collecting flows from multiple interceptors or those deemed
necessary and permanent by past formal action of the OWASA Board. By paying these fees, the
property becomes an equal partner in the existing OWASA infrastructure and holdings, and shares
equally in any excess capacity costs borne by customers.
Summary
The recommended adjustments to the water distribution and wastewater collection systems to serve
the modeled demands under a high density buildout condition are summarized below.
Type Cost Purpose
Water Main Reinforcing Loop (4800 feet) 1.5 to 3 million Restore available fire flow capacity
Sewer Main Extension (7700 feet) 2 to 3 million Extend from existing system
Sewer Interceptor(2300 feet) 3 to 5 million Provide necessary downstream capacity
22
Impact of proposed water and sewer boundary expansion in Southern Orange County on OWASA Water
Distribution and Wastewater Collection Systems
November 9, 2023
Page 6
As described in the Cost Policies for Growth section above, the extension of sewer main to the existing
system would be completed by the benefitting party (developer). The other projects would be included
within OWASA's Capital Improvements Program and would need to be completed sometime before
ultimate buildout occurs. Should the proposed expansion of the water and sewer boundary become a
reality, we expect that the timing, cost, and scope of projects would be further clarified through our
periodic master planning efforts for the distribution and collection systems.
Sincerely,
Ik Vishnu Ga ga haran, P.E.
Director of Engineering and Planning
Copy: Todd Taylor
Ruth Rouse
Coleman Olinger
Jessica Godreau