10-23-1989 - Agenda Packet City Council - regular meeting

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Zoning File #1458 September 15, 1989 Page 4 of 5 The ultimate question to ask is whether this house should be allowed to virtually double its livable space without requiring expansion of the drainfield system. The existing system is working under its current usage, but the proposed additions to the house probably will tend to make the house large enough for three or possibly four inhabitants. Chances are if soil testing was done, the existing system could not be expanded in a conforming manner using trenches, but would require a mound system. There is no feasible location on the property to construct a mound. Should further development of this property, including the currently proposed expansion, be held up until municipal sewers are provi'^d to this neighborhood? Council has made no determination as to if or when sewers will be provided. The applicant should be advised that these questions and this discussion would be occurring regardless of the need for the side setback variance, since expansion of a residence on a substandard, unsewered lot is subject to the on -site sewage treatment code provisions noted earlier. Staff Recossendation - Aside from the septic system issues, Planning Commission could recommend approval of the side setback variance based on additions being no closer to the side lot lines than the existing structure. Considering Lots 4 and 5 as a single building lot, no average setback variance is necessary. One condition of approval would logically be that the two lots be combined for tax purposes, thus negating the need for a north side setback variance but bringing up the issue of the second structure as a guest house vs. storage only. Finally, Planning Commission is requested to consider the septic system issue. If municipal sewer was available, the concerns about a aubstandard septic system would be eliminated. The fact that the existing substandard system is functioning correctly indicates that under current usage, no problems are occurring. If Planning Commiss on feels that the proposed additions will effectively increase the probable number of inhabitants of this residence, that creates a potential for septic system problems in the future that perhaps cannot be solved in a conforming manner until municipal sewer becomes available. One interim option could be lengthening of the existing drainfield onto Lot 4, troviding extra capacity but being in soils and water table conditions which will limit the useful life of the system. This would seem to be a reasonable option if City sewer is definitely expected to be provided in the relatively short-term future (5-10 years).