City will notify property owners of intended service change.

Next meeting is Aug. 16.

Florence City Council decided Monday evening to continue the public hearing regarding the withdrawal of portions of Heceta Water District’s territory that are within current city limits until the Aug. 16 meeting, citing concerns that affected property owners may not have been notified.

The city is making preparations to provide water service to all properties located within current city limits, not including Driftwood Shores Resort or the Fawn Ridge subdivision.

The withdrawal is part of the city’s update to the Water Master Plan and in response to Heceta Water District stating it would be unable to provide fire flows of 3,500 gallons per minute to industrial and commercial properties north of Munsel Lake Road and along Highway 101 north of 46th Street. Florence City Council claims those properties must receive an “urban level of service.”

Marvin Ryall owns two pieces of property that are part of the proposed withdrawal. He told the council Monday night he is happy with the water Heceta provides.

“I was annexed into the city in 1990,” said Ryall. “I’ve been happy with Heceta water for 20 years now.”

Ryall said he had “differences” with the criteria the council had established, specifically the required fire flows.

“The fire chief indicated (at the time of construction) that I met all the requirements,” he said.

Ryall also told the council he believed the city should install water lines once they decide to put sewer lines in the area.

“Right now, we don’t need (the water lines),” he said.



For the complete article see the 07-21-2010 issue.

Click here to purchase an electronic version of the 07-21-2010 paper.