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Discussion regarding approval of Water Line Service Request Peachtree Drive - Utility Extension
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SUMMARY: A contractor, on behalf of the property owner of Tax Map 112L J 008.00 has requested water service. This property is located outside the City of Crossville and is within a “failed subdivision”.
Per City Ordinance 18-107, there are options to handle a utility request inside a failed subdivision.
Option 1: 18-107(E)(iii),
Which states, “If located outside the City limits and not adjacent thereto, a developer receives approval from the appropriate Planning Commission to either install utility main line extensions or re-subdivide the area.”
Option 2: 18-107(F) Special Tap Fees
Summary of that section: The Planning Commission can recommend a special tap fee to be used for a water line extension. The City would pay for the upfront cost of the mainline extension and then charge a special tap fee to each property owner along the extension; at the time they request to connect. A special tap fee would be calculated based on the total cost of the extension and then divided by the property owners along it. This does cost the City up front, but if/when the properties along it connect, the City does recoup their money. Special Tap fees can be used in “Failed Subdivisions.” This option does take the burden of cost for a mainline extension away from a single property owner and puts the cost on the City, with a possibility of recouping their money. If the mainline extension was made by the single property owner, they would bear the full cost of the extension and all properties along it would be able to connect for the standard tap fee and share no cost in the extension.
Option 3:
Recommend to City Council, to waive the requirements of the ordinance and allow a meter to be placed along the road to the rear of the property, and a service line be extended from that meter to the property along a private easement. This option was used for the property next door to this parcel. The reasoning for that is a little different than this one. A building permit was issued by the City, and the construction of the house was started before realizing no water service was available.
The request from the property owner, through their contractor, is for option 3. They have obtained a verbal agreement with the property owner to the rear, to run a service line along their property line.
The Crossville Regional Planning Commission met on August 20, 2026 and recommended Option #2 - Special Tap Fees to the City Council.
The Crossville Engineering Department created a cost estimate for a 6-inch water line to extend from the end of an existing line near Camelia Drive and connect to an existing water line on Canary Drive. The proposed 6-inch water line extension is approximately 1,600 feet. There is an existing short, dead-end cul-de-sac along the proposed extension. The Engineering Department did include a proposed 2-inch water line extension to provide water service to an additional 4 lots on the cul-de-sac. The proposed 2 inch line extension is approximately 230 feet. To meet the requirements, as laid out in the Crossville Regional Planning Commission’s Subdivision Regulations for fire hydrants, two new fire hydrants are proposed.
This water line extension would provide water service to 22 existing lots within the failed subdivision.
The total estimated cost for the water line extension and fire hydrants is: $249,525.00
Under the provisions of City Ordinance 18-107(F), the special tap fee would be an estimated amount: $11,342.05
This is a project that the City staff is proposing to be put out for bid. Once bids are received, the item would be brought back to City Council for approval. Once the final cost of construction, per the bids, is established then the Special Tap fee will need to be adjusted to reflect the actual cost.
City Council must establish a timeline for the project as well. If done within the Fiscal Year 26/27, a budget amendment would be required. City Council can approve the project for Fiscal Year 27/28 and funding provided at that time.
Recommended Action
NECESSARY COUNCIL ACTION: Discuss options and Planning Commission recommendation to approve one of the three options presented.