08-09-1993 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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TO: FROM: DATE; SUBJECT: Mayor Callahan and Orono Council Members Ron Moorse, City Administrator V-c Michael P. Gaffron, Asst. Planning & Zoning Administrator August 6 1993 Time Frame for Septic Upgrades when a Building Pemiit is Requested List of Exhibits A - DNR Letter 8/5/93 Issue In light of the recent allowance of a 2-year period for compliance, should building permits be withheld until commencement (or completion) of required septic upgrades, when the system ’s nonconformity is solely based on the lack of 3’ separation? What are the options? Staff Viewpoint Withholding a remodeling, addition, or accessory building permit until the septic upgrade is complete (or at least underway concurrently) is a useful "lever" to ensure not only that the property owners ’ resources are channeled to the septic system repairs, but also to ensure that the property improvements do not have a negative impact on the existing system or future ability to upgrade. Therefore, we would prefer that systems identified as needing upgrade be repaired concurrently with improvement projects in most situations. As a minimum, site evaluation should be complete before a permit is issued, and repairs occur within a reasonable lime frame, generally before the building project is finished or shortly thereafter. We would develop an agreement to this effect, for signature by the owner in order to be issued the building permit. Discussion In a situation encountered last week for a property in Webber Hills, the property owner wished to add a third stall to his two car garage. The request for a permit triggered a septic conformity inspection, since the property was within the Shoreland District. Inspection determined that the existing trench drainfleld has less than 3’ separation and needs to be replaced. The owner generally accepted the replacement requirement, but was reluctant to accept the idea that he would not be allowed to do the garage addition without concurrently making progress towards septic repairs (i.e., hiring a site evaluator to do testing and design, getting a septic contractor lined up for the installation, etc.). Staffs intent would be to work with the homeowner in accomplishing the projects concurrently, not necessarily deferring the a ition