(A) Except in cases of hardship connections approved pursuant to § 50.290, no water or sewer connection or extension will be allowed until the property owner has petitioned and been approved for annexation and the property has been zoned.
(B) Exceptions for certain government-owned properties. In its discretion based upon its weighing of the public interests, and upon such additional conditions as it may choose to impose, Town Council may authorize a water or sewer connection of property located outside the town corporate limits if the property is owned by the State of North Carolina, the town, or Watauga County and either:
(1) The property is to be used for public utility purposes as authorized per G.S. § 116-35 (regarding university utilities); or
(2) The property is to be developed with the financial assistance of Watauga County and/or the town pursuant to the authority granted by G.S. § 158-7.1 for local government support of economic and industrial development. For purposes of this division, “financial assistance” is intended to include the provision of a leasehold interest in real estate, but is not intended to include the mere provision of water or sewer or other utility infrastructure itself. This exception is not intended to include any residential housing project of any nature.
(C) In order to proceed with an application under division (B), the applicant must present to the Town Council a general development plan setting forth planned uses, siting of structures, sketch drawings of buildings/elevations, and any such additional information, drawings, or plans as may be required by Council. However, the foregoing provisions is not intended to limit the Council’s discretion as to what information, drawings, or plans it may require. For example, in its discretion, the Council may require documentation sufficient to meet the requirements for site-specific plan approval under the town’s development ordinance.
(D) Any water or sewer connection granted under division (B) is limited to the use of development site as presented in the general development plan presented to Council. In the event the use of the site is substantially changed or the property sold to a non-governmental entity, the Director shall provide 30 days written notice and disconnect the water/sewer connection.
(Ord. passed 1-15-2019; Ord. passed 8-9-2023)