Spring Hill News

Water Rates, Private Road, Subdivision, divide Board

February 2, 2010 ⋅  Email this post ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment

The City water rate has recently been the center of debate for the Board of Mayor & Aldermen as well as a point of great concern for many citizens of Spring Hill. The original recommendation by the Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) was to raise the water rate by 55% and the sewer rate by 95%. However, after a Town Hall meeting to discuss the rate increases produced over 100 citizens opposed to such steep increases, the Board took action January 19 to slow the process by addressing the water increase now and deferring the sewer increase to next month. The Board agreed unanimously on first reading, to establish the water rate according to the recommendation of one of the Aldermen instead of acting on the scenario presented by City Administrator, Victor Lay.

The approved plan increases the minimum fee for use up to 2,000 gallons (currently $6.85) by 25.6%, to $8.61. This new plan also changes the discount rate for water use over 2,000 gallons. There is currently a tier system which provides for discounts on a gradual basis as the volume increases. However, the Aldermen have responded to the request of one vocal resident who explained that he conserves water in various ways, including the purchase of bottled water, thereby using less than the 2,000 gallon minimum each month. He asserted that continuing the discounted tier plan will cause him to subsidize those who use more water. The plan approved a discount for water used over the 2,000 minimum from $4.30 per 1,000 gallons to $3.26 per 1,000. There will be no additional tiered discounts as monthly use increases.

There were several comments from Aldermen that water rates could very likely be completely different after the second reading.

The possibility of condemning the road east of O’Charley’s, Logan’s, and Cracker Barrel, was put off in favor of seeking a Declaratory Judgment. The former Chairman of the Planning Commission and the Board representative on the Planning Commission stated that they clearly remember statements by GBT Developers’ representatives that the road in question, Crossings Circle, would be dedicated to the City and become a public road. As a result of that plan, the road was built to City specifications. GBT now insists that the plan has always been for the road to remain private. During development of the City’s Master Thoroughfare Plan, Crossings Circle was listed as a public street.
One Alderman stated that he feels that the conflict should be resolved by deliberation and agreement between GBT and the adjacent property owners. If Crossings Circle remains a private street, GBT may deny access to the neighboring property. GBT points out that there is access to the adjacent property by way of Crossings Blvd. (a public street) which runs between Electronics Express and Books A Million to the rear of the shopping center.

The Board was split on the approval of the Planned Unit Development across Denning Lane from Historic, Oaklawn. The current name of the development is Oakview. After more than two years of negotiation, this development has been reduced to only 34 single family homes, with the three lots adjacent to Denning Lane increased in size to about one acre each. Also added to the front lots is landscape buffers and deep set backs from Denning Lane. The vote for approval of this development was 5 – 4 with Les Cleveland, Eliot Mitchell, Alan Hall, and Jonathan Duda voting against approval.

Each of the above issues will come before the Board in February and will most likely, again, be hotly debated. The BOMA work session will be Monday, February 8, 7:00 pm and the voting meeting will be Tuesday, February 16, 7:00 pm. There will be a Public Hearing prior to the February 16 meeting, starting at 6:55 pm. All of these meetings will be held in the Court Room, City Hall, 199 Town Center Pkwy. The public is encouraged to attend.

BY CHARLIE SCHOENBRODT