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#2356 - Rappaport <br />Aril 16, 1998 <br />Page 2 <br />Farview was one of the last plats created without having to do septic testing at the time of <br />subdivision. My letter of August 8, 1978 noted concerns related to soil disturbances prior to the <br />existing trench system's installation, although it has apparently held its own for nearly 20 years. <br />Note that the alternate site tested in 1978 was on the north side of the driveway, which has since <br />encroached into that site. That area was not veiy suitable even then as an alternate site, due to its <br />slope orientation and narrow configuration. <br />This property provides a good example of the difficulty encountered in bringing septic systems into <br />compliance with current codes. In the late 1 970’s when many of the homes on Farview were being <br />built, the state of the art in site evaluation was significantly less sophisticated than it is today in terms <br />of interpretation of soil characteiistics and system design. The difficulties were only compounded <br />when lots were platted without the benefit of site evaluation, so that individual site planning was <br />burdened by inflexible lot lines. As a result, many systems approved in the late 1970's are in <br />locations that would not be approved under todays standards. <br />Municipal Sewer On The Horizon? <br />Up until three weeks ago the City had no plans to bring sewer to the Farview neighborhood. <br />However, the Council on March 23 directed staff to proceed with an amendment of the MUSA <br />(Metropolitan Urban Serv ice Aiea) boundary to incorporate the northeast shore of Maxwell Bay, as <br />a first step toward bringing sewer to Orono's remaining few miles of unsewered Lake Minnetonka <br />shoreline. <br />While no specific schedule has been discussed for actual sewer construction, it may be appropriate <br />for this and other property owners in the Fan iew neighborhood to delay system replacements <br />pending further discussion of municipal sewers. Applicant notes he plans on constructing a 'sport <br />court’ in the area of the existing drainfield, and will likely go ahead w ith the system replacement <br />regardless of the potential for sewer. <br />Staff Recommendation <br />The proposed easement relocation w'ill have no negative impacts on this or neighboring properties. <br />Staff recommends approval of vacation of the existing easement, subject to: <br />1. Dedication of a new easement as proposed; and <br />2.Relocation of the drainageway to the new easement location at the time the septic system is <br />constructed.