Not in our backyard

The site of a proposed water tower is drawing opposition from Weddington residents, with more than 40 attending a Jan. 11 conditional-use permit hearing to say they don’t want the 156-foot structure built near a cemetery and homes.

In October 2009, Union County Public Works applied for a conditional-use permit from the town to build the tower at 1929 Weddington Road, a vacant lot across the street from the town hall and next to Weddington United Methodist Church’s cemetery. County officials say the 1.5 million-gallon tower will improve water pressure for area residences and fire departments.

“This is not about water pressure. This is a faith issue,” Weddington resident Paul Modesque said. “I don’t want my daughter to have to see it when she goes to pray at her grandparents’ grave. The spirituality of the area is taken away by having to look at that thing each time.”

Others asked why they should have to look at a structure that would be better placed near a highway. “Look at the pictures. Who would want to sit at home and see this?” said Weddington resident Scott Baker, whose property borders the lot. “As an adjoining homeowner, I don’t see where we’re screened (from) seeing it.”

The property meets the town’s land-­ordinance requirements for an essential public service site: a minimum 40,000-square-foot lot area and minimum 120-foot lot width. The Weddington Road lot is 4.87 acres and more than 500 feet wide. The Weddington Planning Board recommended approval of the permit at its December meeting.

“We’re not talking about a shopping center, we’re not talking about a strip mall, we’re talking about providing clean water for Weddington,” County Attorney Keith Merritt said. “All you’re doing is saying it’s a not-in-my-backyard issue.”

Merritt said county staff was instructed to find a lot with a willing seller, and the Weddington Road lot, owned by Claire King, was the only one in the area that met the criteria.

According to Providence Road Fire Department Chief David Banick, the tower most likely would have little impact on fire services, because just 18 percent of the town’s 73 subdivisions have fire hydrants, which draw from the nearest water source.

Banick said there are hydrants along major corridors such as Providence Road but very few in neighborhoods, citing Willow Oaks and Steeplechase as examples.

Council members questioned the benefit to the entire town, where 80 percent of homes use wells instead of county water. Sixty of the 73 subdivisions use only well water.

“We understand it will help with pressure, and yes, it will help for future development, but these (residents) already live here,” Weddington Mayor Nancy ­Anderson said. “How does this benefit the town when 80 percent of Weddington uses well water?”

Councilman Werner Thomisser agreed, asking why there’s a pressing need, given that growth has slowed dramatically in Union County. “Right now the county is in a severe water shortage and we’re working to develop new supplies,” Union County Public Works Director Ed Goscicki said. “We know today we have pressure problems in Weddington. Not even considering future growth, we have problems. As others connect (to the water system), we will not have the pressure to meet those needs without this tank.”

After four hours, the town continued the hearing until Jan. 14, when a vote was expected by council members. The hearing occurred after press time.