Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Utilities Department

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager Cynthia Wagner, Assistant City Manager Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager
FROM:	Beth Krishtalka, Assistant to Director
CC:	Dave Wagner, Director Mike Lawless, Deputy Director Philip Ciesielski, Assistant Director of Utilities
Date:	February 26, 2014
RE:	Ordinance No. 8964, Amending City Code Section 19-122 to Provide for City Manager Approval of Fire Service Connection Waiver Request

Please include the following item on the City Commission Agenda for consideration at the March 4, 2014 meeting:

Adopt on first reading, Ordinance No. 8964, amending Code Section 19-122 Fire Service Connections to permit the City Manager to approve waiver requests related to the maximum size of a fire service connection and to provide for appeal of waiver denials to the City Commission within 30 days of such denial for further consideration at a public hearing to be scheduled within a reasonable time thereafter.

City Code Section 19-122

Department of Utilities staff maintains detailed construction material specifications, design criteria and standard details in support of planning, design, review and construction processes, including Fireline Connection Requirements. Code Section 19-122 provides that the maximum size of a fire service connection must “be at least two (2) inches less in diameter than the main from which such fire service connection is made” unless otherwise waived by the City Commission.

Proposed Changes

Staff proposes amendment to Code Section 19-122 to permit the City Manager to waive the maximum size requirements of fire service connections based on staff recommendation following Department of Utilities’ staff review and identification of unique circumstances requiring such a waiver, provided the granting of such waiver would not compromise life, health or fire safety requirements. If a waiver request is denied, the applicant would have 30 days to file a Notice of Appeal with the City Clerk. The City Commission would conduct a public hearing on the appeal within a reasonable time after such timely filing, thereby preserving the applicant’s access to waiver consideration by the City Commission should that prove necessary.

Staff believes the proposed amendment will facilitate more business-friendly, responsive and efficient development processes. Inclusion of a “unique circumstances” review standard is consistent with the “special or unusual project conditions” review standard in City of Lawrence Construction and Material Specifications as set forth in Section 2901.4 (Waterlines) and Section 2502.5 (Sanitary Sewer).

Action Request

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