Commissioner proposes policy to require new development to connect to existing renewable systems

Commissioner Harold Smith read recommended language for the plan urging that new development that can connect to an existing renewable water system should do so rather than rely solely on groundwater. Reading the recommended paragraph aloud, he stated: "If a new development chooses not to connect to such an existing system and relies solely on groundwater, an appeal for increased density would be inconsistent with county policies and generally should not be approved." The paragraph aims to remove incentives for developments that depend on nonrenewable groundwater when renewably served systems are adjacent.

Commissioners discussed clarifying the definition of "new development," how the recommendation would interact with Regulation 18A (appeal processes), and whether the wording should say "generally should not be approved" or be stronger. Evan Ela and others suggested tying the language to the specific regulatory process (Regulation 18A) to avoid ambiguity; staff agreed to refine wording in the redline draft.