(A) Reservoir plan. No domestic water reservoir shall be built by the city except on a site authorized for it by a Rank Two Facility Plan hereafter approved by the City Council. The plan, which may be part of a broader water utility plan, shall address water system needs, storage capacity needed on specified sites, location and general size of reservoir sites, elevation of reservoirs, and the prudent use of city funds. The guidelines which follow shall generally be followed, but may be varied when justified by balancing cost against the amount of impact inflicted on residents and the number of dwellings impacted.
(1) New sites. The following evaluation and standards apply to sites not now occupied by city water reservoirs:
(a) Evaluations of site alternatives shall be performed and shall include consideration of the following: underground installation, aesthetics, multi-uses of the sites, environmental concerns, economic factors, and the requirements of this policy and the zoning code.
(b) Reservoir sites which will not abut residential development are preferred, and reservoir sites which do not abut zoning code residential zones with height limits of 26 feet are strongly preferred, unless the reservoirs will be completely or nearly completely below grade. In planning reservoir sites in a water pressure zone previously undeveloped with reservoirs, planning for all the needed reservoir sites in the zone should be considered so as to avoid later sites in the water pressure zone which would contradict the above standard.
(c) If a site for an above-grade reservoir is in a location which is reasonably likely to be adjacent to residential development, a large site should be secured so that a reservoir will not be too close to residences. The excess land should be planned for public purposes, including but not limited to park, library, or police substation. If non-residential development is later built next to such a site, the reservoir site may then be reduced in size.
(2) Partially developed sites. The following evaluation and standards apply to sites which are already occupied by above-grade city water reservoirs and which currently have available space for additional reservoirs:
(a) If the partially developed site can contain an additional reservoir structure which will not be within 150 feet of a residentially zoned lot which is available for residences, an at-grade reservoir shall be built on the site; where the site can be enlarged at modest cost to accomplish this, that may be pursued.
(b) In cases other than above, the second reservoir shall be built on a different site rather than the partially developed site in the following circumstances:
1. There is an appropriate alternative site for the second reservoir; such site does not exist unless:
a. It is essentially vacant and owned by the city or available to the city at modest cost; and
b. It is located within about on-quarter mile of the existing reservoir site; and
c. It will be the site of a below-grade reservoir or an at-grade reservoir structure 150 feet or more from any residentially zoned lot which is available for residences (a policy more permissive of above-grade reservoirs than is the general policy, division (A)(1)(b) of this section); and
2. Placing the reservoir on the new site not unreasonably interfere with plans adopted by the City Council; and
3. The new reservoir would have the same overflow level as the existing reservoir which needs to be supplemented; and
4. Where it is quite costly to acquire the alternate site and to build on it, the amount of visual impact the new reservoir on the existing site would have on nearby residents and the number of such residents shall be weighed against the cost of going to a new reservoir site.
(c) In cases other than (A)(2)(a) or (A)(2)(b) above, the second at-grade reservoir shall be built on the partially developed site.
(B) Site development standards. Once sites and their general development character have been selected by the Rank Two Facility Plan, detailed site development plans shall be developed as follows:
(1) Evaluation. An evaluation of site development alternatives shall be performed and shall include consideration of the following: aesthetics, multi-uses of the sites, environmental concerns, engineering factors, economic factors, and the requirements of the zoning code.
(2) Site development standards for new sites.
(a) Reservoir sites shall be well landscaped. Earthen berms will often be appropriate in order to minimize the apparent mass of a reservoir which is visible to view by many people.
(b) For reservoirs in or abutting Zoning Code residential zones, reservoirs shall be constructed completely or nearly completely underground, except in situations where there is a compelling need to use a given site, and below-grade development is deemed economically unreasonable for the city; factors which might justify that reservoir burial is unreasonable include but are not limited to major rock deposits, high water table, and need to match the water overflow level in use in the pressure zone. In such situations, reservoirs in or abutting residential zones with height limitations of no more than 26 feet shall be set well back from their sites' property line(s) abutting such residential zoning. If applicable, variances shall be obtained.
(3) Site development standards for partially developed sites.
(a) If justified by other portions of this section, needed additional reservoirs may be above ground with overflow elevations matching that of the existing reservoir.
(b) Reservoir sites shall be well landscaped. Earthen berms will often be appropriate in order to minimize the apparent mass of a reservoir which is visible to view by many people. Berms around non-buried reservoirs abutting residential zones shall be used wherever site area allows it.
(c) Every attempt shall be made to select the material and color that most aesthetically matches or pairs with the existing reservoir and the surrounding environment while providing a satisfactory engineering design.
(d) As to sites in or abutting zoning code residential zones with height limits of no more than 26 feet: Reservoirs shall be set back from their sites' property line(s) abutting such residential zoning as much as is reasonably possible, consistent with system needs of the water utility.
(4) Procedures. Procedures for review and approval of city water reservoir site plans shall be as follows:
(a) During the planning and design phase for reservoirs, the Public Works Department shall meet and confer with any affected recognized neighborhood association and with surrounding property owners to provide information, assure coordination, and provide opportunity for comment.
(b) In addition to other requirements of the Zoning Code, where the site is in or abuts a residential zone, as specified by the zoning code, the site development plan shall be submitted to the Environmental Planning Commission and construction shall not take place without the approval of the Environmental Planning Commission, or the City Council on appeal. The zoning code applies, and any needed variances or zone changes shall be obtained prior to approval by the Environmental Planning Commission. Notice of such consideration at a public meeting shall be given as is required for zone changes.
(C) Reservoir site signs. Where above-grade reservoir(s) are planned for a city-owned site, the city water utility shall keep posted there one or more signs which give clear public notice of the city's plans for the site.
(D) Exceptions. Notwithstanding division (A) of this section:
(1) The second reservoir at the Ponderosa Site may be built prior to all approval of a Rank Two Plan.
(2) The second reservoir on or in the vicinity of the Simms Reservoir site (east of the Glenwood Hills North Addition) may be constructed based on a single-site plan approved by the City Council, prior to approval of a general Rank Two Plan.
(3) Two new primary reservoirs: the Volcano Cliffs Reservoir located in the vicinity of the intersection of Montano Road and Unser Boulevard N.W. and the Gonzales Reservoir located northwest of the intersection of Coors Road and I-40 may be constructed based on site development plans approved by the Environmental Planning Commission prior to approval of a general Rank Two Plan.
(Res. 1-1988, approved 1-5-88; Am. Res. 70-1990, approved 6-11-90)