The city has narrowed its choices to two locations for a $75 million sewage treatment plant: one near U.S. Highway 59 and several homes, and another in a more rural location near the intersection of O’Connell Road and the Wakarusa River.

Both locations drew wary responses from residents in the area, but city leaders said Friday that making the plant as unobtrusive as possible was a key goal.

“I think one of the things we can definitely reassure people about is that our committee has taken into consideration a lot of factors,” Mayor Mike Amyx said. “And one of the bigger factors is a site that will affect as few properties as possible.”

The two sites are:

¢ A location south of the Wakarusa River and west of U.S. Highway 59 where it intersects with North 1200 Road. The city said it was looking for property on both the north and south side of North 1200 Road.

¢ A location south of the Wakarusa River where East 1600 Road, which is O’Connell Road extended, dead ends at the river. The city said it primarily would be looking for property east of East 1600 Road.

City leaders have not gotten more specific about locations because they have not decided how much property they will need to purchase. Plans call for the plant and appropriate buffer ground to be on a site ranging in size from 235 acres to 1,000 acres.

The site near U.S. Highway 59 would place the plant less than a mile from Oakwood Estates, a large rural subdivision featuring upscale homes. Neighbors there have concerns about odor, appearance and property values.

“They could tell you a plant won’t be any problem, but you won’t know until they build it,” said Shannon Mason, who lives in Oakwood Estates.

The area near East 1600 is less populated, but does still have several rural residences. Pat Drewes, who lives near East 1600 and North 1100 roads had many of the same concerns.

“I would just need to know more about how one of these plants work,” Drewes said. “If I can see it, smell it or if it affects my property values, then, hell yes, I’m going to care about whether they build it here.”

A committee appointed by city commissioners has been reviewing possible sites since October. The reviews, which have been behind closed doors, narrowed the sites from seven to two. City commissioners ultimately will choose the final site.

City planners say the plant is needed by 2011 in order to keep up with projected growth. The plant, which will be paid for through sewer rate increases, is expected to allow the city to grow to 150,000 people.