SUBJECT: Motion establishing a date for a public hearing on the proposal to use approximately 31,838 square feet (0.7309 acres) east of Blackhawk Blvd for a 30’ Wide Utility Corridor for the new 60- inch nominal diameter gravity sanitary sewer diversion line and two (2) proposed manholes (including vents) to facilitate flow diversion from the Easthaven Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) to the Southeast WWTP and consolidation of City Wastewater Facilities as part of the Easthaven WWTP Flow Diversion Package 1 Southeast WWTP to Fuqua and Blackhawk within Blackhawk Park.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve a motion establishing a date for a public hearing on the proposal to use approximately 31,838 square feet (0.7309 acres) east of Blackhawk Blvd for a 30’ Wide Utility Corridor for the new 60- inch nominal Diameter Gravity Sanitary Sewer Diversion Line in Blackhawk Park.
SPECIFIC EXPLANATION: The city acquired the approximately 31,838 square feet (0.7309 acres) of land (Parcel DY22-004) as part of Blackhawk Park, a 76.81 Acre Park consisting of walking, running and bicycle trails, recreational fields, and a covered pavilion located at 9401 Fuqua Street in the southeast portion of the city.
Houston Public Works (HPW) has identified a need for approximately 31,838 square feet (0.7309 acres) and being a thirty (30) foot wide sanitary sewer corridor (Corridor) along North side of Fuqua Street for a proposed Utility Corridor that is necessary to accommodate the new gravity sanitary sewer line which will be placed about 40-45 feet below existing ground level using trenchless methods, and the requested space will be utilized to build and maintain it. The surface of the Corridor shall include two (2) 8-ft diameter manholes (including vents), which will be used to access the project for maintenance. HPW will be placing above ground appurtenances to support the sanitary sewer line. HPW conducted a thorough project routing study for the placement of the sanitary sewer and determined that the route through the Blackhawk Park is the most reasonable, cost effective and safest alternative.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Code Chapter 26 requires the City to publish three public notices and hold a public hearing prior to authorizing the use or taking of park land for non-park purposes. Notices will be published in the Houston Chronicle on November 13, 2023, November 20, 2023, and November 27, 2023. The proposed date of the public hearing is Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. in City Council Chambers, 901 Bagby Street, 2nd Floor, Houston, Texas. At a later date, an ordinance will be presented to Council to make findings relating to the public hearing.
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Kenneth Allen, Director
Houston Parks and Recreation Department
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Carol Ellinger Haddock, P.E., Director
Houston Public Works
WBS No. R-000536-0034-3