Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Burke County backs Valdez sewer lift station to enable phased housing development
Summary
The county authorized a development agreement with Valdez and Natural Land Alliance to support a housing project (Valdez Bluffs) and agreed to use $400,000 of state-directed municipal water/sewer grant funds to cover half a cost increase for a required sewer lift station; the deal includes protections (deed of trust and liquidated-damage provisions) if developer defaults.
Burke County commissioners authorized May 18 the county's execution of a development agreement with the Town of Valdez and the Natural Land Alliance to facilitate a phased housing project known as Valdez Bluffs.
County Manager Bridal Hipley outlined the terms: the overall plan allows up to 140 homes; phase 1 consists of 27 homes with an average developer-quoted home value near $350,000. The town previously secured an $800,000 state grant for a sewer lift station; project cost increases raised the pump-station estimate to about $1.6 million, creating an $800,000 funding gap. The proposed arrangement splits that gap, with the county contributing $400,000 funded from a state-directed municipal water/sewer grant allocation (explicitly not local property tax dollars) and the town contributing the other $400,000.
Hipley said the county's contribution would be secured by a deed of trust and include liquidated-damage provisions (about $14,000 per unit) to protect the county and town if the developer fails to deliver homes within a three-year period after sewer availability. "The developer believes that they can be started as early as July," Hipley said.
Supporters at the public hearing said the project would create needed housing and that the grant program is intended to increase housing in locations that otherwise lack infrastructure. Opponents and some residents stressed that Valdez's water and sewer finances are fragile and urged caution, including calls to confirm municipal capacity and municipal management of existing systems before adding more demand.
The board authorized the county manager to execute the development agreement, subject to county attorney review, by unanimous vote (5-0).
What happens next: staff will perform title searches and appraisals, record the deed of trust, and, if all conditions are met, proceed with the grant-funded payment to the town. The agreement includes clawback provisions if the developer does not meet progress milestones for the referenced 27-unit phase.
