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<br />the project and conditions of zonings, delay occupancy until the improvements are actually
<br />constructed.
<br />
<br />When we look at number 1, the, the nearest public water system is approximately 8/10ths of a
<br />mile away from the property located near the highway. To be able to have the Applicant
<br />construct the improvements to bring the water system up to the property is unfeasible. When we
<br />look at number 2, it says specific improvements to the existing public water system, which we
<br />spoke about, unfeasible, or a private water system equivalent to the requirements of Department
<br />of Water Supply. We’ve—staff has met with the Department of Water Supply on numerous
<br />occasions to identify what these requirements are of the Department of Water Supply that are
<br />equivalent to a public system. We’ve been informed which is stated within the Recommendation
<br />that this consists of two wells of equal capacity, transmission water lines, and then off-site,
<br />100,000 gallon concrete reservoir located 100 feet above the highest elevation of the subject
<br />property, which actually means that it has to be located off-site at a higher elevation for gravity
<br />flow. Obviously, when you’re looking at this option, this is also unfeasible.
<br />
<br />So, again, as stated, when we look at an application, we need to see if, if this applies to the
<br />change of zone request. The Planning Department, I would say, if not on a daily basis, many
<br />times during the week, we receive inquiries, similar inquiries, about changing the zoning of a
<br />property without these specific requirements. We—our standard response is that you can submit
<br />an application, but by law, we will, be not supporting that change of zone going up to Council.
<br />
<br />Just to go on further, the implications that would result if concurrency requirements were
<br />deemed satisfied through private water catchment systems, it would be an unwarranted precedent
<br />that would set, that would allow any property owner, County-wide, to rezone their property into
<br />smaller lots and/or higher densities without the need for adequate support of public water system
<br />infrastructure.
<br />
<br />For example, in this general area of Mountain View, there are over 1,000 basically contiguous
<br />acre zoned Ag-20 consisting of 25- to 50-acre lots that could potentially come in for similar
<br />change of zone if private water catchment systems were allowed to meet minimum water
<br />requirements for the change of zone. The, what—what I believe is happening at this time is
<br />there’s more discussion regarding this, this area. Obviously, many areas around the Island do not
<br />have adequate public water systems, so what, what—what is happening currently, is there’s
<br />discussions going on with, with people regarding the possibility of allowing change of zones
<br />maybe with various degrees of standards that may be created by the water supply instead of one
<br />specific standard that is unreasonable for most everyone to meet. Even developers would have a
<br />hard time meeting that.
<br />
<br />Or, again, we look to counsel for direction on this, because again, we’re mandated by law that if,
<br />if these requirements aren’t met, we need to forward an unfavorable recommendation. As
<br />mentioned, we go into greater detail regarding these issues in the Recommendation.
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<br />EXHIBIT A
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