Developer pitches large project to JCWSA

A developer proposing to annex more than 1,600 acres into Arcade for a project that would include 4,000 residential units plus commercial and industrial space pitched the project to the Jackson County Water and Sewerage Authority on Thursday, Dec. 1, as an economic development initiative.

Arcade and the Walton Group want the authority to sell water wholesale to Arcade, which would then use existing authority water lines and additional infrastructure to service the development.

It’s not a new discussion. The county water authority has repeatedly insisted that it will directly service any developments in the area.

Guy Herring of the Walton Group made a brief presentation at the authority’s work session outlining what he said are the benefits of the development and proposing to “share” water revenue between the two entities.

He pointed out that the 1,604 acres on U.S. Hwy. 129, without annexation into Arcade, could accommodate 1,070 dwelling units, but if annexed could accommodate 3,999 units — almost tripling potential water revenue.

A chart he presented noted that five years after build-out, the authority could expect annual revenues of $4 million, compared to almost $16 million for Arcade – whose residents currently buy water directly from the authority.

“It takes you guys to provide the water and Arcade to annex and zone for that density so those 3,000 (additional) customers could be realized,” Herring said.

He asked the authority to vote to begin work on an intergovernmental agreement with Arcade toward that end.

The agreement, he said, would open up the “129 corridor” to a “huge potential” in commercial and industrial development.

“We need to make sure we have water and sewerage lined up for economic development in this part of the county,” Herring said, calling an agreement “an avenue to develop” the corridor.

In response to a question, Peter Lawcham, also of Walton, said that his group would like to start working on the sewerage system “possibly next year” so it “can break ground on houses in 2014.”

The company does not yet have a discharge permit for wastewater.

The authority did not indicate enthusiasm for Herring’s request.

“We’ll take no action in this session,” said chairman Randall Pugh, pointing out that the meeting was a work session. He also reminded the developer that the authority can serve the property directly, without involving Arcade.

“You are familiar with the fact that this area is in the Jackson County Water and Sewerage Authority’s service area, we have the infrastructure there and are ready, willing and able to provide water service to your development,” he said.