In 2003, the Texas Legislature authorized the creation of Municipal Setting Designations (MSD), which designate an area in which the use of contaminated groundwater is prohibited for use as potable water. The law is administered by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and requires local City support to designate an MSD. The intent of the legislation is to encourage redevelopment of vacant or abandoned properties while protecting public health. On August 22, 2007, City Council approved an ordinance amending Chapter 47 of the Code of Ordinances by adding Article XIII relating to groundwater, which provides a process to support or not support an MSD application to the State (ordinance amended 7/14/2010).
Pick A Part Auto Wrecking, L.P. Application: Pick A Part Auto Wrecking, L.P. is seeking a Municipal Setting Designation (MSD) for 4.3023 acres of land located at 4121 Osage Street, Houston, TX 77036. The contamination consists of 1,1-dichloroethene and Methyl tert-butyl ether. The former Sundown Auto Storage operated an auto storage facility between 1988 and 2012. A licensed Professional Geologist has certified that the area of contamination has been thoroughly investigated, is fully delineated and is stable.
Pick A Part Auto Wrecking, L.P. is seeking an MSD for this property to restrict access to groundwater to protect the public against possible exposure to the contaminants. There is a public drinking water supply system that meets state requirements that supplies or is capable of supplying drinking water to the MSD property and all properties within one-half mile of the MSD property. A public meeting was held on November 16, 2020 via Microsoft Teams, and a public hearing was held on December 1, 2020 during the Regulatory and Neighborhood Affairs Council Committee. Both meetings are necessary steps prior to City Council’s consideration of support.
Recommendations: It is recommended that City Council adopt a Municipal Setting Designation (MSD) ordinance prohibiting the use of designated groundwater at the Pick A Part Auto Wrecking, L.P. site located at 4121 Osage Street, Houston, TX 77036, and support issuance of an MSD by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
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Carol Ellinger Haddock, P.E.
Director
Houston Public Works