HomeMy WebLinkAboutZMA198500033 Review Comments 1990-01-04 •
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COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
Dept. of Planning & Community Development
401 McIntire Road
Charlottesville, Virginia 22901-4596
(804)-296-5823
MEMORANDUM
TO: Guy B. Agnor, Jr. , County Executive
FROM: V. Wayne Cilimberg, Director of Planning and ae,/
Community Development
DATE: January 4, 1990
/
J RE: Earlysville Forest Fire Hydrant
Historically, for larger residential developments remote
from public water service, the County has required
installation of a dry hydrant system for fire protection.
In other areas, volunteer fire companies have installed and
maintained hydrants in farm ponds and the like. These dry
hydrant systems are of direct benefit to property owners in
the area and to date, the County has not been involved in
maintenance or ownership.
A request has been submitted for the County to accept
dedication of a dry hydrant system in Earlysville Forest
PUD. As opposed to other systems of which I am aware, an
electrical pump is involved. Robert Jenkins, Fire
Prevention Officer, has stated that this pump should be
operated at least on a monthly basis and should receive
thorough examination including flow testing on an annual
basis.
The following comments are offered:
1. While the hydrant system would be of benefit to other
property owners in the general area, it was a specific
requirement of the Earlysville Forest PUD and would not
have been installed otherwise. Arguably, since the
Guy B. Agnor, Jr.
Page 2
January 4, 1990
system would be employed to protect other properties,
an inequity exists for Earlysville Forest residents,
however, not every inequity can be addressed by
government. Certainly there are property owners who
are served by the Earlysville Volunteer Fire Company
who do not make donations to support that service.
2 . Acceptance, repair and maintenance, and replacement
expenditures would be an expense to County taxpayers
not served by this system and could likewise be viewed
as an inequity. Such action could arguably lead to
requests for acceptance by the County in any case where
inequities exist (i.e.- private roads, open space
buffers required to protect adjoining properties,
central water and sewer systems, etc) .
3 . It is recommended that the Board not accept dedication
of the Earlysville Forest hydrant system. Should the
Earlysville Forest Homeowners Association be unable to
contract for maintenance services with private
enterprise, perhaps a contractual arrangement with the
Earlysville Volunteer Fire Company could prove
satisfactory.
VWC/RSK/jcw
cc: George Gilliam