RESIDENTS VOICE CONCERNS ABOUT PROPOSED RESORT NEAR CARMINE

  

Fayette County residents are concerned about how a proposed resort development near Carmine could affect traffic and the town’s water supply.

A large crowd attended last week’s meeting of the Carmine City Council regarding the plans of developer Dirk Winter, who seeks to build 100 rental duplexes, commercial spaces and a Christmas market on a 150-acre property on the north side of West Fuchs Road.  Concerns raised by citizens included possible traffic congestion around the resort and how the project’s water intake would impact existing and future water availability.

According to Carmine Mayor Wade Eilers, a feasibility study for water capacity shows that the city’s water supply could support the development and still have room for future growth.  However, the city does not have the ability to regulate traffic, noise or environmental issues at the property.

Eilers said Winter will pay the full construction cost, estimated at $340,000, for a six-inch line to bring water to his property.  In February, the council approved a contract to supply the development with water, but if Winter does not finish the water line by December 31, 2023, then the contract becomes void.

Per the feasibility study, the anticipated peak water demand would be approximately 15,000 gallons per day.  The demand does not include water for irrigation, as Winter plans to use a private well for that purpose.

According to the study, the average daily demand for the city’s water system is 44,331 gallons, which would increase to an average of 59,331 gallons with the addition of the development.  The city’s total storage capacity is 160,000 gallons.

In addition, the study said the city’s well capacity is 260 gallons per minute (GPM), greater than the average and peak demand conditions of 41 GPM and 126 GPM, respectively.