Findlay committee OKs exception to water rule to allow tap for flag lot; MOU required

The Findlay City Water & Sewer Committee voted to allow a one-time exception to Section 5 of the city's water rules so a property owner may connect at an existing main rather than extend the city 10-inch main to the farthest point on his parcel.

The move affects a flag-lot property whose owner, Rick Wagner, asked to tap the existing water line on the south side of the frontage instead of paying to build a full extension to the farthest property point. City staff warned that the regulation normally requires property owners to extend mains to the farthest point to protect future development and avoid crossing in front of neighboring parcels.

City staff presented two layouts during the meeting: a short “green” service line that would connect to an existing valve and a full “red” extension that would extend the 10-inch city main north to the farthest parcel. Staff estimated the full extension would exceed $100,000 in construction cost, while a minimal service tie would be roughly $10,000. Jeremy (staff member) said if the full extension is built later, it would be turned over to the city as a public main and future property owners would be eligible for taps and reimbursement under the city’s cost-sharing (rotary) rules.

The committee also discussed a contract between the city and Van Buren (Township) that limits the volume available under that agreement and can affect whether lines are extended beyond certain boundaries. Committee members asked that the Van Buren contract status be verified as part of the administrative steps before final approval.

To protect neighboring property owners the committee required that approval be conditioned on a recorded memorandum of understanding (MOU) and an agreement recorded with the property file. Jeremy explained the MOU will specify that if the property to the north later develops and requires extension of the main, the developer or property owner will contribute their share of the construction cost under the city’s cost-sharing rules. Jeremy also noted the city's cost-sharing (rotary) reimbursement mechanism carries a 10-year limit for recovery of construction costs.

Rick Wagner, the property owner, told the committee his rental sits on a well and septic and that he wants to connect both water and sewer if possible. He described the present situation as "a rental property for me. I don't live there, but it's on a well and a septic," and said the shorter connection would avoid an immediate six-figure expense.

The committee motioned to make an exception to Section 5 of the water rules and to require that an MOU be prepared by the law director and recorded before the exception is finalized. The motion passed with committee members saying “aye.”

Next steps: staff will prepare the MOU and a recorded agreement tying future obligations to the property; the law director will draft the document and return it to the committee prior to issuing the administrative permit or tap.