Storage Project And Extension On T.U.D.’s Agenda

Sonora, CA — The Tuolumne Utilities District board will vote whether to fund a feasibility study for new water storage, and whether to give a developer more time to get a housing project off the ground.

At Tuesday’s meeting the board will vote on spending just over $62,000 to conduct a feasibility study regarding potential construction of a new water reservoir adjacent to the district’s Sierra Pines property in the Twain Harte area. The maximum capacity of the reservoir would be around 350-800 acre ft., and it would be utilized as an emergency water source. Meeting documents indicate that the cost to build the reservoir could exceed $20-million.

The board will also vote on a proposed 18-month extension with the group Miramont Homes, Inc. for water and sewer mainline extensions. T.U.D. entered into an agreement in 2015 to serve the proposed 19-lot Derby Court Development on Racetrack Road. The agreement is set to expire at the end of the month, and the developer has stated that difficulties in obtaining a grading permit are the reasons for the delay in starting construction.

In addition, the board will vote on approving a CEQA notice of exemption related to hazard tree removal, and hear an update on the district’s capital improvement program. Tuesday’s meeting starts at 2pm in the district meeting room on Nugget Blvd. in Sonroa.