AGENDA ITEM EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
ITEM TITLE*
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Update Regarding Planning in the Southern Extraterritorial Jurisdiction
presenter
RESPONSIBLE STAFF, TITLE, DEPARTMENT*
Tas Lagoo, Long-Range Planning Manager, Planning Department
STAFF RECOMMENDATION*
Receive staff’s update and affirm or provide feedback on the Town’s expectations for potential density in the southern extraterritorial jurisdiction (Southern ETJ).
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LEGISLATIVE CONTEXT*
Council previously approved an expansion of OWASA’s service area to include a portion of the Southern ETJ. In 2025, Council voted to receive and refer a petition calling for accelerated planning to support missing middle housing in the Southern ETJ.
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT*
Sewer Extension: To advance planning efforts in the Southern ETJ, the Town worked with OWASA to commission an analysis of extending sewer infrastructure into the expanded OWASA service area. OWASA selected the engineering firm Dewberry to conduct the analysis.
Dewberry assessed potential routes for new sewer lines against a variety of factors including environmental impacts, ability to provide service using gravity sewer, initial capital costs, lifecycle operations and maintenance costs, constructability challenges, and number of parcels impacted. Dewberry ultimately recommended that the most appropriate alignment would place sewer lines near Wilson Creek and Fan Branch, but largely outside of the Resource Conservation District.
The Dewberry report was presented to the OWASA Board of Directors on March 12 and is included in this meeting packet for Council reference.
Development Opportunities: At their March 12 meeting, the OWASA Board of Directors voted to ask the Town to clarify the level of density expected in the Southern ETJ. Town staff had previously estimated that gross densities across the expanded OWASA service area could eventually fall between 3 to 6 units per acre. This original estimate was provided so that OWASA could conduct a high-level capacity analysis before expanding its service area.
A parcel-level analysis conducted by Town staff confirms that these original estimates are reasonable and accurately reflect a range of plausible development scenarios.
ATTACHMENTS
Southern ETJ_Sewer Extension Report
Southern ETJ_OWASA Board Request to Town Council
Southern ETJ_Draft Staff Presentation
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