The Crestview board has approved two contracts to report on the feasibility of connecting the existing dry sewer system near Well #8 to the Camarillo sewage system and connect adjacent properties to this system. It has also approved funding a preliminary environmental study by the City’s contractor. These actions respond to the City’s demands on June 10, 2022 but were not taken until August 11 and September 6. The City has received Crestview’s $11,408 check but has not completed the contract for the environmental work. The City has not received the sewage system feasibility report.
We are coming up on the third anniversary of Crestview’s application filing date, and it has not even been deemed complete.
- January 8, 2020 Application to City for a conditional use permit filed by Crestview
- March 24, 2020 City’s Design Review Letter sent to Crestview
- March 24, 2022 Exactly two years later, Crestview resubmitted the application with revised architectural plans.
- June 10, 2022 City’s 2nd Incomplete Letter sent to Crestview
- August 11, 2022 The Crestview board authorized the Company to enter into two contracts to prepare a report on the feasibility of connecting the existing dry sewer system to the Camarillo sewage system and connect adjacent properties to this system.
- September 6, 2022 At a special meeting, the Crestview board authorized the Company to fund a preliminary environment study by the City’s contractor.
There is no explanation for this dawdling. Why was nothing done for two years after March 24, 2020? Why was the environmental study not authorized on August 11 when both items were on the agenda? Did momentary fiscal prudence suggest not spending money on the environmental study when connecting the sewer system was likely to prove not feasible, and make moving Well #8 back to its original planned site on Corte Corrida a much better option. If so, why did the board reverse itself 26 days later?
Speaking of fiscal prudence, the board should formally review whether this project should be redesigned or abandoned. It is way over budget, nobody knows the probable cost to complete, and Crestview will have to repay all Calleguas advances (probably about $1 million so far) if the project is not completed. The original site on Corte Corrida looks better and better, and our board’s fiscal management looks worse and worse, with every passing month.
Why? or How? does a water company spend shareholder dollars for sewer research for “some” shareholders.
Peter,
Well #8 requires a “conditional use permit” from the City of Camarillo. The application must be denied unless the applicant shows, and the Planning Commission finds, that the proposed use is not “detrimental to existing uses.” Camarillo Municipal Code Section 19.62.030(B). A new public water well would be detrimental to up to 19 existing homes within 600 feet of the well because they could not get City permits to replace their seepage pits but would have to go to the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board which would likely require the homeowner to install an “advanced treatment unit” costing at least $65,000 upfront and about $7,000 per year for operating permits and mandatory professional maintenance and sampling. The “incomplete letter” from the City signals that it may require Crestview to connect those 19 affected homeowners to the sewer so they will not need new seepage pits.
Another way forward, suggested two years ago by homeowners near Well #8, is for Crestview to enter into risk transfer agreements with the affected homeowners so that if they have to replace their seepage pits, Crestview will step in and get the necessary permits and pay for the installation.