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Council tables request to relocate private driveway fire hydrant pending cost estimates
Summary
A homeowner asked the council to move a fire hydrant that interferes with a planned driveway; council discussed technical constraints, traffic and utility impacts, and unanimously voted to table the request until staff and contractors provide cost and impact estimates.
A property owner (speaker S14) asked the council Oct. 28 to move a fire hydrant positioned where the owner plans to build a driveway. The owner said a prior approval in 2020 was not properly documented and offered to help with relocation. Council and public works/planning staff explained that moving a hydrant requires excavation, potential outage impacts for nearby houses, and coordination with existing water mains; staff said the installed main includes significant pipe (a 10-inch line was referenced) and moving the hydrant would require opening up pipe and temporary shutoffs.
Council members requested a detailed cost estimate, scope of work, and a count of impacted residents before deciding who should pay. The discussion raised questions about precedent and whether similar requests would lead to multiple relocation demands.
Councilmember Kate (mover) and Donnie (seconder) made a motion to table the request until staff obtains cost estimates and plans; the motion passed on a roll call with all members voting 'Aye.' No cost commitment was made at the meeting.
Next steps: staff will obtain contractor and public-works cost estimates and return the item for council consideration. The council discussed possible cost-sharing with the property owner depending on the final estimate.
