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Burrell Christiansen annexation: council negotiates 8‑inch water line, hydrant and removal of rental water‑share clause
Summary
Council discussed the proposed 2.8‑acre annexation by Burrell Christiansen, agreeing in principle to an 8‑inch water line and a fire hydrant but raising concerns about dead‑end loops, master‑plan alignment and a proposal to lease irrigation shares back to the petitioner. Staff will remove language enabling the petitioner to lease water shares back and confirm the annexation draft meets town policy and master‑plan requirements before the council signs.
The council reviewed Draft 4 of an annexation agreement with petitioner Burrell Christiansen. The draft included town benefits the petitioner proposed: granting a right‑of‑way for a future 60‑foot road, installing an 8‑inch water line to the west end of the property and placing a fire hydrant—items the council described as material benefits that help extend town infrastructure toward the cemetery and future growth.
Council members expressed technical and policy concerns: several noted that dead‑end or short “loops” in water lines are undesirable because they can create stagnation and maintenance issues unless planned as part of a future loop consistent with the town master plan. Staff and engineers advised the council on routing the 8‑inch line to follow future road grid and to include valves and provisions so future connections can avoid dead‑end lines. Council also identified a rental‑of‑shares clause in the draft that would have allowed the petitioner to lease irrigation water shares back for life; members agreed that town policy (and fairness to other residents) makes that provision inappropriate. The council directed staff to remove the lease‑back language and to confirm share accounting (quarter or half shares per acre as currently written), then return with a revised draft.
Council also discussed right‑of‑way and whether the annexation acreage reaches far enough west to reserve a future 60‑foot road; staff committed to measuring property lines and confirming where the hydrant and alignment would sit. No final annexation vote occurred at the work meeting; the council agreed on direction and requested engineering and redlined contract language for the next steps.
