The Airline Improvement District (the “District”) is a special district created in 2005 by the 79th Texas Legislature pursuant to Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution. The District, located wholly within unincorporated Harris County and the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the City of Houston, was created to supplement government services to improve the overall quality of the District and its desirability for residents, consumers and businesses.
As provided in the creation legislation, the District must obtain the approval through the City Council for the issuance of bonds for improvement projects. Council previously consented to the District’s issuance of bonds through the Texas Water Development Board’s (“TWDB”) Economically Distressed Areas Program (“EDAP”) in 2010 and 2015 to extend water and wastewater utility services to residents and businesses within the District.
TWDB’s EDAP program provides funding in the form of 70% grant and 30% loan for projects serving economically distressed residential areas where water or sewer services do not exist, or existing systems do not meet minimum state standards.
On June 6, 2023, the TWDB extended additional EDAP financial assistance to the District, authorizing a $2,674,000.00 grant and $1,145,000.00 in bonds to provide first-time water and sewer services to the Lillja area, benefiting approximately 190 residents.
Residents of the Lillja area, which is in the north central part of the District, currently obtain water from private wells and treat wastewater with on-site sewage facilities. The residential lots are inadequately sized for private water wells with adjacent on-site sewage facilities, and clay soil in the area prevents septic waste from draining, which can cause septic tanks to overflow. During wet weather, runoff containing septic waste can accumulate around the water wells, which poses a risk to public health.
Pursuant to an Interlocal Agreement between the City and District authorized by Council on September 1, 2010 the District will design and construct its water and wastewater systems in accordance with the requirements of the City, with plans and specifications subject to review and approval by Houston Public Works, and convey constructed improvements to the City for operations and maintenance.
HPW has reviewed this request and has no objection to the passage of this ordinance.
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Margaret Wallace Brown, AICP, CNU-A
Director
Planning and Development Department