Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Utilities Department

TO:	David L. Corliss – City Manager Cynthia Boecker - Assistant City Manager Diane Stoddard - Assistant City Manager
FROM:	Philip Ciesielski – Asst. Director of Utilities
CC:	Dave Wagner – Director of Utilities Mike Lawless – Asst. Director of Utilities Beth Frailey Krishtalka – Management Analyst
Date:	August 20, 2008
RE:	August 26, 2008 Agenda Item – Public hearing to establish Benefit Districts for sanitary sewer and water improvements to Bauer Brook Estates Resolutions Nos. 6771 & 6770.

Please include the following item on the City Commission Agenda for consideration at the August 26, 2008 meeting:

Adopt proposed Resolution Nos. 6770 and 6771 that set September 16, 2008 for a public hearing to establish Benefit Districts for sanitary sewer and water improvements to Bauer Brook Estates.

Project Description

The extension of approximately 2,000 linear feet of sanitary sewer main and 3,400 linear feet of water main for the purpose of extending City Utilities to the recently annexed property commonly known as Bauer Brook Estates. The financing of the public utility extensions is to be via Benefit Districts established per Resolutions Nos. 6770 & 6771.

The proposed sanitary sewer extension serves only property within Bauer Brook Estates. Per Resolution No. 6770, 100% of the costs associated with the extension of sanitary sewer infrastructure will be borne by the properties within Bauer Brook Estates.

The proposed watermain extensions serve the property within Bauer Brook Estates and extend City infrastructure north along Folks Road adjacent to areas of future development. Resolution No. 6771 apportions the estimated project costs based on the infrastructure required to serve each area. Per Resolution No. 6771, 70% of the costs associated with the extension of the watermains along Bauer Brook Court and Folks Road will be borne by the properties within Bauer Brook Estates. The remaining 30% will be assessed to the City, 80% of which will be recovered via future front footage fees at the time properties along the east side of Folks Road within the project area redevelop and are annexed into the City. The remaining 20% of the City’s apportionment will be funded by the City to extend the watermain adjacent to property currently within the City and served by City Utilities.

Project History

January 24, 2008 Staff sent letters to the affected property owners in Bauer Brook Estates informing them of the pending annexation of their property and the subsequent formation of Benefit Districts to finance the extension of City water and sanitary sewer service.

February 26, 2008 the City Commission adopted Ordinance 8194 annexing approximately 140 acres northwest of the intersection of Folks and Trail Roads commonly known as Bauer Brook Estates into the City of Lawrence, KS.

April 21, 2008 Planning Commission approved the rezoning of approximately 140 acres from A-1 (Suburban Home Residential) to RS-40 (Single-Dwelling Residential) District and forwarded it to the City Commission with a recommendation for approval based upon the findings of fact outlined in the staff report.

May 6, 2008 City Commission approved rezoning Z-03-08-08, a request to rezone a tract of land approximately 140 acres for Bauer Brook Estates from A-1 (Suburban Home Residential) to RS-40 (Single-Dwelling Residential).

Action Request:  Adopt proposed Resolution Nos. 6770 and 6771 that set September 16, 2008 for a public hearing to establish Benefit Districts for sanitary sewer and water improvements to Bauer Brook Estates.

Thank you for your assistance.  Please advise if you have any questions.