05-04-1992 Stubbs Bay Sewer Public Hearing Packet

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE STUBBS BAY ASSESSMENT HEARING HELD BY THE ORONO COUNCIL ON HELD MAY 4, 1992 m Gaffron explained that discussions on sewer installation tor the area Initiated in 1974. The 1980 Comprehensive Plan identified five areas withlr 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 Manaflement 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 smal I 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 sol I motti Ing or other indicators of a seasonal V4ater table. The DNR has mandated that deles with significant lakes an 1 s t reams adopt shore I and regulations which limit new ^ny^lopment near shoreiand and mandated the adoption of the PCA s septic regulations. Gaffron reviewed that staff has analyzed a number of factors of the area and estabiished a classification system. He stated that 18 of 127 existing homes have failing or non-conforming systems and 78 homes probably do not have an alternate septic site. He noted that based on their data, nearly ail alternative sites would require a mound-type septic system. He stated that homes without an alternative site, wou'd have to Install a holding tank If their system failed. Gaffron said that municipal sewer will elImlnate 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. There are a number of properties that are expected to have a short i upgraded. in the area that have systems fe span and would need to be