City Moves Forward on Possible Sewer Main Plan for Wallace Crescent
Monday, April 8, 2013 @ 8:14 PM
Prince George, B.C. – Property owners on Wallace Crescent in the Hart Highlands of Prince George will be asked if they are willing to share the cost of installation of a sewer line.
The properties are on septic systems now, but many of the property owners are concerned those septic fields are now reaching the end of their lifespan.
The City has met with some residents, to gauge interest in the proposal which would have the property owners pay for the installation of the sewer mains, the connection from the main to property line plus their individual onsite service connection works. The City would pick up part of the cost of the road rehabilitation as that particular road is at a certain age and is in need of repair.
Operations staff held a preliminary information session for the residents in February to talk about a conceptual plan and present a preliminary cost estimate so each property owner would know exactly what they would be expected to pay. In a report to Council, Operations staff say a survey handed out to area residents generated 65 favourable responses, representing 69% of the total properties. But Operations Superintendent Bill Gaal says there still needs to be final costing so residents will have an accurate amount in their minds when it comes time to vote on the matter.
Council has approved moving forward on this issue and staff will develop a detailed design for the project and a cost estimate.
There would be a formal vote on this matter, and if there is a 50% approval or more of the nmber of households representing 50% or more of the total land value of the area, then the project would move forward.
The vote is expected to take place later this fall.
Comments
They will not be sharing the cost,they will carry the full expense of sewer line installation and any additional hook up fees. The only expense the City will be responsible for will be the planning of said system
And adding sewer to your utility bill!
For some houses this project is essential as they are on their second or third septic field and they have no other options, as if $20,000 per field isn’t enough already. A lot of the lot sizes are just too small to support a proper septic field, yet there are five and six bedroom houses build on these lots. The city should share some responsibility for zoning like that.
For others they have plenty of room for a proper septic field and are having no problems. For those land owners this project is not essential other than it would help with resale values, but at a huge up front cost.
The city collects thousands of dollars every year in municipal taxes for every one of these houses to cover other projects all over the city including the corporate welfare to projects like Boundary Road at the airport. Yet on this project the city wants to roll the full cost of the project to the home owners of the street? Maybe $30,000 or more per house to subsidize the needed repairs by the city to the road surface that needed to be done anyways is convenient for the city.
So will the city also charge other streets in the city the full cost for repairs to their sewer lines as well as they age and need repairs? Or will we have segregated sewer bills in PG based on the street you live on? How does the city determine which streets are funded from the taxes they already pay, and which ones get to pay the full cost plus?
How does the bill come due and how does this effect mortgages and debt to income ratios for the new obligations? The federal government changed the rules for equity and amortization periods, increasing the equity required and shortening the amortization periods, so that combined with an additional property tax surcharge could impact resale or any refinance options? If one opts out of the project the home hostage tax becomes a reality as the city can just opt to foreclose and collect in a round about way.
Our City at work. These residnte have paid taxes for years ahd now they are expected to pay for a sewer system. This city needs a wake up call as to the services they need to provide for the taxpayer.
Cheers
I was at that the preliminary meeting in February. Some of the comments that were made during the meeting suggested that years ago, there was money yearmarked for this sewer system but, the money was used elswhere. This appearently was due to the fact that the septic systems in question were still young and funtioning properly. Thus the descision was made to use the money for something else. I don’t know if this is true, but, if I was a resident on Wallace Cres., I’d sure like to know if this rumor has any weight. Maybe some digging in the right places would confirm where that money came from, went or if there ever was any. I believe, residents normally foot the bill for City sewer through the cost of thier home past along from the developer when each subdivision goes in. City never has paid for sewer infrastructure through residential areas. If this is the case where did that rumored sewer fund come from? Just a long shot as it could mean a difference in footing the bill. Ben? How would one find this out?
Eagleone,
Northern Health dictates and regulates the sizes of new septic fields. The requirements were not nearly as “beefy” when these houses went in 30+ years ago. You are correct by saying that some of the yards do not have enough space to accomodate the new regulation meeting fields, but in my opinion, the city isn’t to blame on this aspect. Northern Health is now demanding these huge fields while most of the original smaller ones lasted for 30years +/-. Also from the meeting in February, the cost can be added to residential taxes over a twenty year period and does not have to be paid up front. My concern is if there was in fact, a fund set aside at one time for this, where is it now and why are the local residents footing the bill?
yes Eagleone, the City does make the homeowner pay for any repairs to their water or sewer line. Plus anyone on the City water or sewer system just had their taxes go up so that the City will have the money to repair or replace the system as it wears out.
And people wonder why the Haldi area does not have city sewer and water….Something that was promised over 35 years ago when they amalgamated with the city…LOL Would not blame the residents for looking at their option of regional district instead of staying with the city.
@VestedInterest
Actually, Northern Health is no longer involved in the design and installation of new septic systems beyond acting as a filing authority. This has been the case since 2005. The onsite wastewater industry is completely privatized in BC. A registered person or a professional engineer can pretty much put whatever they want in the ground as long as they are willing to put their professional stamp on it.
See the BC sewerage regulation here ->
http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/22_326_2004#section7
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