COMMISSIONERS APPROVE SEWER ALLOCATIONS
Dodge bullet regarding Verdict Ridge controversy

Commissioners George Arena (left) and commission chairman Alex Patton listened during county manager George Wood's presentation on the remaining sewer allocations of the old Forney Creek Waste Water Plant. Photo by Adam Diaz/TCS

By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLNTON -- Lincoln County Commissioners Monday night unanimously approved the allocation of the remaining sewer flow capacity in the Forney Creek Waste Water Plant.

The move opens more than 62,000 gallons of flow capacity in the plant, ending a two-year moratorium the previous Board of Commissioners placed on the plant.

One development absent from the list was Pulte Homes' Carolina Ridge, which was previously alloted 37,680 gallons of sewer flow. According to county manager George Wood, however, Pulte's allocation letter expired December 29, 2008.

"Pulte was subject to a two-year time limitation for beginning their project," said Wood in a memo to commissioners. "They've not begun construction on any of the infrastructure for the development. Therefore, other developers are able to use the released capacity."

About 32,000 gallons of Pulte's capacity went to the Villages at Unity Church subdivision.

Two developers -- Westport and Verdict Ridge -- contended Monday night they have written agreements that they claim supersede the county's allocations.

Westport received nearly 7,000 gallons of additional capacity, while Verdict Ridge received a little over 4,000 gallons.

Tom Daniels represented the Westport development and said he needed resolution on the phase three of the townhome project. The sewer allocation covered only phase two.

"Lincoln County government should consider using the flow numbers by the state in regards to flow capacities in Forney Creek," contended Daniels.

Attorney Alan Brotherton represented Verdict Ridge and said the development is eligible for 103 lots to be allocated for sewer flow.

"Since I have letters verifying numbers from the county, the county should stand by that," said Brotherton. "Going forward, 17 of the allocations are new and the rest are pre-allocated."

County commissioner Carrol Mitchem took Brotherton to task for changing the numbers on the commissioners.

"Are you going to come back later and change the numbers again," asked Mitchem. "We've got to know what the numbers are."

County manager Wood said the numbers for Verdict Ridge can change, especially regarding phase six of the development. Sewer flow numbers for the first five phases cannot be changed.

Wood added with the unanimous approval, the next step is to inform developers of the decision.

"With the approval, the public works director will make the listed allocations through a letter," said Wood.