New Sewer Would Spark New Development In Woodbury

With a nod of their heads, the Woodbury City Council took another step down the road toward new development in the southern portion of the city.

During a workshop session Wednesday, the council informally agreed to vote on whether to solicit bids for a new sewer that would open the door for hundreds of new homes in the area generally south and east of .

The council is expected act on the measure at its July 27 meeting.

The exact cost of the sewer line—part of the city’s —won’t be known until the bids come back, but have put it at about $3.6 million. While the city would initially have to carry the cost of building the utility line, it would recoup the expenses as homes are built.

The city has yet to secure an easement agreement for the project from one landowner, but staff said they anticipate they will have it soon. The engineering plans for the sewer are nearly complete, Community Development Director Dwight Picha said.

Staff noted that the topography of the area has forced a change in the proposed sewer line’s route; the northern portion would be rerouted slightly and likely built as the area is developed.

Dick Putnam, a landowner whose property is set to be developed, urged the council to move forward with the project.

“We are ready to go,” he said.

If the plans continue as scheduled, construction on the new sewer line would begin in spring 2012, with the work completed a year later.

Part of the also include extending Pioneer Drive south to Dale Road.

Also on Wednesday, the council, at the suggestion of staff, agreed that “Fields of Woodbury” would be a good name for the portion of the Phase 2 area developed first.

“It sounds better than sub-Phase 2A,” Councilwoman Amy Scoggins said.