To provide sewer services to an undeveloped industrial park west of Emporia, the city will extend a sewer line through private property.
The Emporia City Commission is faced with a thorny question of whether to require those landowners to tie in with the city sewer system and if so, should their land be annexed into the city. Another tough question is how much should those landowners have to pay to help with the project.
At a work session this morning, commissioners weren’t ready to force landowners into anything, but they agreed property owners should be contacted to find out how interested they are in a sewer connection. Most properties in that area, including a trailer park and truck wash, have a lagoon.
“Being connected with the sewer is a safer and healthier approach,” said City Manager Matt Zimmerman.
But landowners might not see in that way.
“If they have a good lagoon system they might argue what is the benefit to us of a sewer connection,” said Commission Bobbie Agler.
For the full story, pick up a copy of the Thursday Emporia Gazette.
Buffalo_Breath (anonymous) says...
Planning, I think, is what it's called.
Oughtta try it some time.
November 10, 2010 at 2 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
genxer (anonymous) says...
Okay, first off, by all means contact the property owners to see what they would like. It's possible many of them would like to be on city sewer and may be willing to be annexed to make that happen. Giving them the option was the only sensible comment in the entire story.
Take that away and you have a story that says city of Emporia is going to force itself on landowner properties outside its jurisdiction, tear their property up installing sewer lines, and then force them to help pay for the project and possibly annex them into the city, thus increasing their property taxes. And people wonder why the average person hates the government?
These people chose to live outside the city limits for a reason.
Ask them first. If they decline then LEAVE THEM ALONE!
November 10, 2010 at 3:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
genxer
I agree one hundred percent. If the landowners want on the sewer and are willing to opt in.....fine. If they don't...dig the ditch....put in the line....then get off their property and leave them alone.
November 10, 2010 at 4:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
genxer (anonymous) says...
Wow bb, I don't think that's the first time but it sure has been awhile. :)
November 10, 2010 at 4:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gooseylucy (anonymous) says...
I agree 100% genxer! Great post!!
November 10, 2010 at 4:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hometownkid (anonymous) says...
I Know what I'd say after all the money that has been spent bringing their lagoons up to county standards over the last few years......
I hope the property owners get a choice and it's not forced on them.
November 10, 2010 at 5:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kantaro (anonymous) says...
Yup agree with genxer also.
Also, a piece that caught me as a little odd
" Another tough question is how much should those landowners have to pay to help with the project."
If i am understand this this correctly, the land OWNER, should pay the city for using THEIR property? I am just curious, usually if you want to use someone's object, and it causes an inconvenience to them, (construction equipment etc) shouldn't you pay the owner of the land?
Maybe i am reading it wrong, but that stuck out to me rather abruptly and i find it rather disturbing that Emporia is so money hungry that they are willing to say "were going to tear up your property, but your going to help pay for it."
To me, that sounds rather stupid.
November 10, 2010 at 5:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
If a landowner/builder of a private home requests sewer access in an undeveloped area, they must pay to have it brought to them. Commercial/Industrial properties should be made to do the same. If I owned land or had a business in the path of this "proposal", I'd be rounding up the troops to fight against having the City of Emporia drag me into their tax base.
November 10, 2010 at 11:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
I have a question !
Would any of this land that the City is going to run a sewer line, happen to include the piece of land that Fanestil wanted to locate on ?
November 11, 2010 at 8:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
7
November 11, 2010 at 9:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
one question. when did city commissioners, start making decisions for county residents? what business does the city have outside the city limits? esp up to 5 miles outside the city?
November 11, 2010 at 3:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )