Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Utilities Department

 

TO:

David L. Corliss – City Manager

Cynthia Wagner – Assistant City Manager

Diane Stoddard – Assistant City Manager

FROM:

Andy Ensz – Project Engineer

CC:

Dave Wagner – Director of Utilities

Mike Lawless – Deputy Director of Utilities

Philip Ciesielski – Asst. Director of Utilities

Date:

January 8, 2014

RE:

2727 Iowa Street, Fire Line Variance Request

 

 

Please include the following item on the City Commission agenda for consideration at the January 14, 2014 meeting:

Approve the request by Landplan Engineering, P.A. for variance from City Code 19-122 with respect to 2727 Iowa Street.

Project Description:

During site plan review for the proposed Dick’s Sporting Goods located at 2727 Iowa Street, Department of Utilities staff discovered that the backflow preventer for the 450 foot long 8-inch diameter fire line is located inside the building.  City Waterline Design Criteria Section 5907.2.2 states if the connection of the private line to the water main is greater than 50 feet then backflow prevention must be located outside the building within a privately maintained vault.  Locating the backflow preventer within 50 feet of the main minimizes the amount of stagnant water in the line reducing the possibility of water quality issues.

 

Department of Utilities staff and Landplan Engineering discussed several alternatives to remedy the existing condition.  The agreed upon alternative is to extend an 8-inch waterline south from the existing fire line along the access road west of the building to tie into the existing 8-inch waterline that dead-ends at Four Wheel Drive (see attached exhibit).  The existing 8-inch fire line and proposed extension will be within a new utility easement and the waterline will become a public main, eliminating the potential of stagnant water in the fire line and providing more reliability by connecting to the dead-end line at Four Wheel Drive.  The water service to 2727 Iowa Street will also be relocated to the new 8-inch public main.

 

City Code 19-122 states “the maximum size of any fire service connection shall be at least two inches less in diameter than the main from which such fire service connection is made, provided; that the City Commission may waive this requirement.”  Landplan Engineering requested a waiver (see attached) of this requirement that the fire line to 2727 Iowa Street be 6-inch diameter or smaller because the existing 8-inch backflow preventer located inside the building is in good working condition and does not need to be replaced.  After completion of the public main, the backflow preventer will meet the previously mentioned Design Criteria by being within 50 feet of the main.

 

Summary:

Department of Utilities staff recommend granting the request for variance from City Code 19-122 which requires that a fire service connection shall be at least two inches less in diameter than the main from which such fire service connection is made.

 

Action Request:

Approve the request by Landplan Engineering, P.A. for variance from City Code 19-122 with respect to 2727 Iowa Street.

Thank you for your assistance. Please advise if you have any questions.