ITEM:            CONSENT CALENDAR

 


3.         CONSIDER REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF VARIANCE – SOUTH COUNTY

HOUSING CORPORATION - 650 JEWELL AVENUE, PACIFIC GROVE

 

Meeting Date:           August 18, 2003                                 Budgeted:  No

Program/Line Item No.: N/A

Staff Contact: Gabriela Ayala                                   Cost Estimate: N/A

                                   

General Counsel Approval:  N/A

Committee Recommendation:  N/A

CEQA Compliance:   N/A

 

SUMMARY: South County Housing Corporation is requesting an extension of a variance to allow a single Cal-Am connection (master meter) with individual in-line meters to supply water to 49 low-income senior housing units at 650 Jewell Avenue in Pacific Grove. On October 21, 2002, the Board approved the variance request due to the cost savings and increased affordability resulting from the use of a centralized recirculating hot water system. The Board’s approval of the variance is time limited to one year.  Within the year, the applicant must obtain water and building permits. The variance is scheduled to expire October 21, 2003.    South County Housing Corporation’s request for extension of the variance approval is due to a delay in financing and is shown as Exhibit 3-A.

 

RECOMMENDATION:  District staff recommends the Board approve the extension of South County Housing’s variance to allow a master meter for one year to allow the applicant to obtain water and building permits.  South County Housing Corporation anticipates obtaining all permits in July 2004.  If approved, South County Housing Corporation’s variance will expire October 21, 2004 and the approved Findings of Approval attached as Exhibit 3-B, with remain in effect.

 

BACKGROUND: District Rule 23-A (3), shown as Exhibit 3-C, requires that each water user have a separate water meter.  However, the Rule also allows for a variance when there are special circumstances or undue hardship.  As stated in the variance request approved in October 2002, the applicant has indicated that there are special circumstances which merit consideration of a variance to the rule for this particular affordable senior housing project.

 

PRIOR BOARD ACTION:  District’s Board of Directors granted a variance to allow a single Cal-Am connection with individual in-line meters to supply water to 49 low-income senior housing units at 650 Jewell Avenue in Pacific Grove at their October 21, 2003 meeting.

 

 

 

 

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