3. Properties to Be Served

The properties to be served are commonly referred to as Cañada Woods, Cañada Woods North and Monterra Ranch subdivisions. Combined, the subdivisions include 259 market-rate residential parcels averaging 4.5 acres; 42 low/moderate-income residential units; 20 employee housing units; a golf course, with clubhouse and maintenance building; 12 golf course member suites; five commercial parcels; 35 acres of farmland; a fitness center; and stable facilities. Applicant states that, at full build-out, the company will have 623 sewer service connections, 344 water service customers and one reclaimed water customer.

The application states that the source of supply serving the existing Cañada Woods properties consists of on-site wells. A treatment plant for removal of iron and manganese is currently under construction. The Monterra Ranch properties will be served by two on-site wells. Additionally, the applicant has appropriative water right permits that will allow withdrawal of 147 acre-feet of water annually from the Carmel River subterranean streamflow. Applicant states that these sources of water exceed that which will be necessary for the proposed service area.

The Eastwood trusts own much of the land that is under development. Cañada Woods will serve as the developer of the Cañada Woods subdivision, marketing vacant residential parcels. Cañada Woods has constructed and paid for the water and wastewater system infrastructure, and it will retain ownership of the golf course, recreation and commercial parcels.

Applicant has attached exhibits to the application showing other governmental approvals it has obtained or is in the process of obtaining for the utility operation. The California Regional Water Quality Control Board in July 1997 issued an order for waste discharge and water reclamation requirements. The Monterey County Department of Environmental Health has issued a permit to operate the wastewater treatment facility and the water system. The State Water Resources Control Board has issued permits for appropriative water rights to withdraw water from the Carmel River. Applicant states that it will meet the fire flow requirements of the Salinas Rural Fire protection District and the Mid-Valley Fire Protection District.

Pursuant to Pub. Resources Code §§ 21000, et seq., the County of Monterey completed environmental review of the water system and each of the subdivisions to be served. Environmental documents and resolutions of approval are attached to the application as appendices 1 through 5.

As a condition of approval for the Cañada Woods and Monterra Ranch subdivisions, the county required that the subdivisions annex into county service areas for back-up sewer service and back-up water service. The purpose of the annexations is to ensure that a mechanism is in place for operation of the water and wastewater treatment facilities in the event that the public utility fails to maintain the facilities. These annexations were completed in 1997.