20210202-003a: Travis County WCID #10 memo — original pdf

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MEMORANDUM TO: Chair and Members of the Environmental Commission FROM: Andrei Lubomudrov Housing and Planning Department DATE: January 25, 2021 RE: Proposed annexation of 36 properties (approximately 115.4 acres) into Travis County Water Control and Improvement District No. 10 (District) C12M-2020-0137 On November 19, 2020, the City received an application requesting the City’s consent to the annexation of approximately 115.4 acres into Travis County Water Control and Improvement District No. 10 (District). The subject tracts are located south of Barton Creek Road approximately 2,000 to 2,500 feet southwest of the intersection of Canyon Rim Drive and FM 2244 in Austin’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) and in the Barton Creek Watershed. The District includes properties in western Travis County and is located in the City of Austin’s ETJ. A map identifying the tracts to be annexed into the District and its location relative to existing District boundaries and City jurisdictions is attached. The assigned case number is C12M-2020- 0137. Applicant’s Proposal The 36 properties requesting annexation are currently served by the Camelot Water Supply Corporation, which was formed to serve the Lower Camelot neighborhood and now purchases water from Travis County WCID 10 as a wholesale customer. In light of aging infrastructure, the properties served by Camelot have entered into an agreement with the District to be annexed and receive upgraded infrastructure as fully annexed ratepayers. The annexation would also enable the installation of high-pressure fire hydrants, which would be valuable in mitigating potential damage from wildfires in the area. Representatives of the property owners appeared before the District’s Board of Directors at its meeting on March 11, 2020, and the District Board approved the annexation request contingent upon receiving the City’s approval of the District’s annexation of the property. 1  • • • • • • City Review Process The Agreement Concerning Creation of the Travis County Water Control and Improvement District No. 10 (Consent Agreement) requires City approval for the annexation of land by the District. The District is considered a “noncity service district” and as such, the City is not authorized to place restrictions or conditions on this consent. If the City fails or refuses to consent within 90 days of receipt of a written request, the owner may petition the City to make available those services to be provided by the District. Failure to execute a mutually agreeable contract for services within 120 days constitutes authorization for inclusion of land within the District. Requests for annexation into a water district are typically evaluated in terms of: Impact on the City’s annexation program Land Use impacts The City’s ability to provide direct water and/or wastewater service The terms of the City’s consent agreement/contract(s) with the water district Environmental impacts Whether the proposed annexation would induce development within the DWPZ beyond what would occur otherwise Recommendation Staff recommends consent to the proposed annexation into the District. Annexation into the District will not affect the City of Austin’s annexation plans, and staff does not anticipate any negative land use impacts on adjacent property. The properties requesting City consent to annexation into the District are located within the Camelot Water Supply Corporation CCN and currently receive wholesale water service from the District. In the review of direct water service for the area, Austin Water has concluded that water service is not feasible given the CCN and the location of the properties in relation to its system. With respect to potential environmental impacts, any development that were to occur in the area following the annexation would be subject to same ETJ regulations currently in place today. Therefore, the annexation is not expected to have an impact on development in the environmentally sensitive Barton Creek watershed. If you have any questions or need any additional information, please contact me at (512) 974- 7659. 2