Property owner tells council proposed water, sewer hookups will cost her $200K

Water and sewer hookups for 53 homes in Naples Bembury Drive Assessment Area will cost each $24,376 or nearly $37,000 over 20 years.

But Mary Guadagno will be hit with six assessments, prompting the Naples resident to angrily complain to City Council on Wednesday.

Its approximately $200,000, which is more than 50 percent of what I can sell this property for, said Guadagno, who co-owns a .95-acre parcel on Bembury Drive with a duplex and four small homes she rents to low- to medium-income residents.

I would be paying for six meters, which is a large expense, she told council. I just feel the city is going to be gaining every month with these meters running. Theres no way we could possibly afford this.

Homes on Bembury Drive, 13th and 14th Avenue North and 15th Street North will be asked to pay $24,376, or $1,843 yearly, for 20 years to hook up to the city sanitary sewer system. Bembury Drive residents, who use well water, also will pay $2,011 to hook up to city water.

Council unanimously voted Wednesday to adopt the fee estimates and set up the assessment area. On June 11, council will hold a public hearing on the charges, which will be tacked onto property tax bills beginning November 2015.

The reality is shes got a legally nonconforming property, Mayor John Sorey said after the meeting, referring to current codes prohibiting six homes on such a small property. I feel for the lady, but at the same time, there are other folks who understand its critical to get it done.

The small ranches and rental homes tucked behind the post office on Goodlette Frank Road are among 1,400 properties outside city limits that have been targeted for an expansion of the citys sanitary sewer and water system. About 40 percent of Naples utility customers live in unincorporated areas of Collier County.

Residents received a letter in February, calling the hookup a priority due to septic systems negative influence on the Gordon River and Naples Bay. The letter said septic systems cant adequately treat human waste or remove nitrogen and phosphates, which present health risks and pollute waterways.

Some have asked for the hookups and many complain they must buy bottled water, Sorey said, noting the expansion means theyll be hooked up to city water without charge.

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Property owner tells council proposed water, sewer hookups will cost her $200K