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CC 2017-02-14_09h Replacement Irrigation Well at 980 E Cherry Ave MEMORANDUM TO: CITY COUNCIL FROM: GEOFF ENGLISH, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS BY: SHANE TAYLOR, UTILITIES MANAGER SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN APPLICATION BY TERRY CHANDLER TO DRILL AND INSTALL A REPLACEMENT WELL ON PROPERTY ZONED AGRICULTURE; APN 007-731-015; 980 EAST CHERRY AVENUE DATE: FEBRUARY 14, 2017 RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council adopt a Resolution approving the application by Terry Chandler to drill and install a replacement irrigation well on a property zoned Agriculture; APN 007-731-015; 980 East Cherry Avenue. IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES: There are no funding impacts associated with this property. The cost to provide the report is limited to staff time, which equates to approximately $250. BACKGROUND: The agricultural parcel has been irrigated by a dedicated agricultural irrigation well. The existing well has fallen into disrepair and is no longer functional. In addition the location of the existing well needs to be changed to comply with the new sanitary siting requirements due to the septic disposal system on the property. ANALYSIS OF ISSUES: Arroyo Grande Municipal Code (AGMC) Chapter 13.08 requires Council approval for new or replacement wells or abandonment of existing wells. Approval to drill a well may be granted if the Council determines: 1) the well will neither deplete nor contaminate the City water supply and, 2) service from the City’s water system is neither practical nor feasible. Depletion or Contamination: It is staff’s opinion that the proposed replacement irrigation well will not deplete or contaminate the City’s water supply. This is based upon the location of the proposed dedicated irrigation well is located approximately 2.5 miles from the nearest City of Arroyo Grande well. This parcel is outside of the adjudicated Santa Maria Groundwater Basin and the property owner retains overlying water rights. Item 9.h. - Page 1 CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN APPLICATION BY TERRY CHANGLER TO DRILL AND INSTALL A REPLACEMENT WELL ON PROPERTY ZONED AGRICULTURE; APN 007-731-015; 980 EAST CHERRY AVENUE FEBRUARY 14, 2017 PAGE 2 Practicality of Supply from the City’s Water System The City currently serves the property with potable water for domestic and fire protection purposes. The property is connected to the City’s water main on East Cherry Avenue. The City currently does not provide irrigation water to any agriculturally zoned parcels within the City limits. A separate connection to the City’s water system would be required to irrigate the 7-acre parcel. A properly sized meter connection would be a substantial cost to the applicant. The City’s current water supply analysis does not account for this connection in that the City does not serve agricultural lands with potable water for irrigation purposes. ADVANTAGES: A replacement irrigation well will provide the parcel with the required water to continue in its production of typical row and truck crops in addition to a number of fruit trees. The property is zoned Agriculture and the request is consistent with the following General Plan Policies: Ag2-1 Maintain water resources for production agriculture, both in quality and in quantity, so as to prevent the loss of agriculture due to competition for water with urban development. Ag2-1.2 Support efforts to provide needed surface and/or ground water resources for agricultural irrigation to those properties zoned Agriculture, Very Low Density and Low Density. Item 9.h. - Page 2 CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN APPLICATION BY TERRY CHANGLER TO DRILL AND INSTALL A REPLACEMENT WELL ON PROPERTY ZONED AGRICULTURE; APN 007-731-015; 980 EAST CHERRY AVENUE FEBRUARY 14, 2017 PAGE 2 DISADVANTAGES: Even though irrigation of this parcel does not count against the amount of water for urban use, a new well would allow for additional groundwater use. However, this is a replacement well and the existing well was historically used to irrigate this parcel, but no records are available to determine how much water was actually pumped per year. ALTERNATIVES: Not applicable at this time. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: This project is categorically exempt per section 15303 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND COMMENTS: The Agenda was posted at City Hall and on the City’s website in accordance with Government Code Section 54954.2. Attachment: 1. Letter from Terry Chandler dated December 23, 2016, with map Item 9.h. - Page 3 RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING AN APPLICATION BY TERRY CHANDLER TO DRILL A REPLACEMENT IRRIGATION WELL ON A PROPERTY ZONED AGRICULTURE; APN 007-731-015; 980 EAST CHERRY AVENUE WHEREAS, Terry Chandler has submitted an application to drill a replacement well to irrigate the agricultural fields at 980 East Cherry Avenue; and WHEREAS, Municipal Code Chapter 13.08 requires City Council review and approval of all new or replacement wells; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds the proposed well will neither deplete nor contaminate the City water supply based upon the use and placement; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that service from the City’s water system is neither practical nor feasible to irrigate the agricultural fields. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Arroyo Grande does hereby approve the application to drill and install a replacement irrigation well at 980 East Cherry Avenue, subject to the conditions as set forth in Exhibit “A”, attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference. On motion of Council Member ________________________, seconded by Council Member ______________________, and on the following roll call vote, to wit: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted this 14th day of February 2017. Item 9.h. - Page 4 RESOLUTION NO. PAGE 2 ______________________________________ JIM HILL, MAYOR ATTEST: ______________________________________ KELLY WETMORE, CITY CLERK APPROVED AS TO CONTENT: _______________________________________ ROBERT MCFALL, INTERIM CITY MANAGER APPROVED AS TO FORM: ______________________________________ HEATHER WHITHAM, CITY ATTORNEY Item 9.h. - Page 5 RESOLUTION NO. PAGE 3 EXHIBIT “A” CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL FOR TERRY CHANDLER REPLACEMENT IRRIGATION WELL GENERAL CONDITIONS: 1. The applicant shall ascertain and comply with all State, County and City requirements as are applicable to this project. 2. The event shall occur in substantial conformance with the application and plans on file in the Public Works Department. 3. The applicant shall agree to defend at his/her sole expense any action brought against the City, its agents, officers, or employees because of the issuance of said approval, or in the alternative, to relinquish such approval. The applicant shall reimburse the City, its agents, officers, or employees, for any court costs and attorney fees, with the City, its agents, officers or employees may be required by a court to pay as a result of such action. The City may, at its sole discretion, participate at its own expense in the defense of any such action but such participation shall not relieve applicant of his/her obligations under this condition. 4. The applicant shall install a meter on the well head and report annual pumping amount to the City by December 31st of each year. 5. An approved backflow device shall be installed per City standard on the water meter service. 6. The applicant shall abandon the existing well on site and supply the Public Works Department with a letter stating said abandonment by the County of San Luis Obispo Public Health Department. 7. A copy of the well/driller report required by the provisions of Section 13751 of the Water Code of the State shall be submitted to the Public Works Department upon completion of the construction of the well. Item 9.h. - Page 6 I t e m 9 . h . - P a g e 7 I t e m 9 . h . - P a g e 8