Resident asks Dundee to extend sewer line; council weighs annexation or ordinance route

A Dundee resident seeking to build a home asked council to consider extending city sewer service to a parcel at the edge of 11th Street, where a public sewer main runs roughly 30 feet past the property, but the lot itself lies outside the city limits.

Rudy Gomez described his lot’s steep topography, the cost and tree removal that would be required to place an on‑site septic system, and said two residences further along 11th Street already have city sewer. He asked whether the city could approve a connection or otherwise facilitate a practical path to service.

City staff told the council that state law permits extending service outside city limits but that the city would have to adopt an ordinance to create a standardized process and objective standards for applications. Staff estimated that amending the development code and adopting such an ordinance could take about six months and require public noticing. The alternative discussed was annexation, which has separate criteria and may not be feasible in Rudy’s timeline because his property lies outside the urban growth boundary.

Council directed staff to invite the city planner to the next meeting to explain the ordinance and/or annexation process and asked the resident to meet with the planner beforehand to prepare maps and details. Staff said there is an existing annexation agreement on file for Rudy’s property that contains water‑service stipulations and recommended reviewing that and other records before deciding next steps.

Council members noted that if staff and the planner recommend an ordinance approach, it would include standards (construction, cost‑sharing and permitting) and clear public notice. No vote was taken; council scheduled the planner briefing at the next meeting.