05-04-1992 Council Minutes Stubbs Bay Assessment Hearing

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MINUTES OF THE STUBBS BAY ASSESSMENT HEARING HELD BY THE ORONO COUNCIL ON HELD MAY-4, 1992 Gaffron explained that discussions on sewer installation for the area initiated in 1974. The 1980 Comprehensive Plan identified five areas within the City to be studied for possible sewer Installation. Four of those five areas have been sewered and Stubbs Bay Is the fifth area. He noted that in 1988 an Alternative Waste Management Study was done for the area, which did not include Oxford Road, Cygnet Place and Leaf Street. Since that time the project has been expanded to include those areas due to the proximity to the creek or the lake, the small lot sizes and the potential problem due to a lack of an alternative septic site. In 1989 the PCA updated their septic system regulations, including a redefinition -of what is a non - conforming system, which definition includes systems -that do not have a three foot vertical separation above zones of soil mottling or other indicators of a seasonal water table. The DNR has mandated that cities, with significant lakes and streams adopt shoreland regulations which limit new development near shoreland and mandated the adoption of the PCA's septic regulations. Gaffron reviewed that staff has analyzed a number of factors of the area and established a classification system. He stated that 18 of 127 existing homes have fa i I i ng . or non - conforming systems and 78 homes probably do not have an alternate septic site. He noted that based on their data, nearly all alternative sites would require a mound -type septic system. He stated that homes without an alternative site, would have to Install a holding tank if their system failed. Gaffron said that municipal sewer will eliminate existing septic problems and provide a cost - effective alternative to holding tanks. Cook explained the project design. He stated that the project is expected to take approximately four months to complete, and if they do not encounter any problems with obtaining the required easements, the entire project could be completed by September 1992. Moorse explained that staff worked with a number of assessment experts to determine benefits to the properties which are reflected in the assessment cost. He noted that to keep the cost down, formal individual appraisals were not done in the area. He Indicated that some factors that quantified benefits included: 1. °Cost of sewer vs. holding tank. It was determined that over a 15 year period, a holding tank would cost two to three times the cost of the sewer assessment. 2. 'The're are a number of properties in the area that have systems that are expected to have a short life span and would need to be upgraded. 2