Seward would allow rainwater catchment in new subdivisions, but only by waiver

New subdivisions in Seward would still have to connect to city water, with rainwater catchment and cisterns allowed only by waiver, under a code rewrite the Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to send to the City Council.

Commissioner Nathaniel Charbonneau tried to strike the catchment provision and was the only vote for it. He said the section "allows contractors to build a substandard home that is essentially a dry cabin" while charging in-town prices.

Commissioner Rhonda Hubbard disagreed, saying she knows "people up in the hills that do have these systems and they work well."

Community Development Director Daniel Meuninck said the provision is aimed at "developments across the bay that don't have any near connection to city water." City Planner Courtney Bringhurst said a waiver requires both a distance of more than 400 feet and topography that makes connecting infeasible.

The rewrite also widens street rights-of-way, the public strip holding the road and utilities, from 50 to 60 feet, sets new lighting standards, and gives the electric utility director sole say over underground lines.