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

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)K To: Mayor Grabek & Orono Council Members COUNCIL MEETING City Administrator Bernhardson From: Michael P. Gaffron, Asst Planning & Zoning QAIAU9 ator lute: October 19, 1989 CITY OF ORONO Subject: Lucia Morrison, 1540 Fox Street - Appeal of Administrative Decision - Re: Alternate Septic Site on Leased Property Su m4ary - Mrs. Morrison had applied for a subdivision of her property in the rural zone. After the application was made, it was determined that a suitable alternate drainfield site for the existing residence could not be located within the property boundaries. She withdrew that application. During further investigaticn by Mrs. Morrison's site evaluator, it was determined that a suitable site may exist just to the west of the existing garage, but on the neighboring property. In discussions with that neighboring property owner, the applicant determined that she would not be able to purchase that portion of property but might be able to acquire a long-term lease which would expire only when municipal sewer was provided to the property. This is designated on the attached sketch as Option B. Just this week, a second option appears to have become available. That would be purchase of a parcel of property from another adjacent owner, which parcel could be incorpora':�!d through a lot line rearrangement into the actual boundaries of proposed Lot 1 (Option A). Issue - The on -site sewage treatment code is worded such that primary and alternate drainfield sites must be within the property they are to serve. Mrs. Morrison early on was advised of that fact. She is requesting that Council consider allowing the alternate site for Lot 1 to be on a leased parcel within a different property but adjacent to her property (Option B). Discussion - Staff notes that to approve the lease option would be precedent setting. Staff can find no instances of a new subdivision where septic sites are on a different lot than the house being served. In fact, in the past the City has gone so far as to require a lot line rearrangement when major components of a septic system were found to be over a lot line. This occurred specifically on a property at 625 North Ferndale Road in 1981 where a lot line rearrangement was required at the time an adjacent vacant commonly owned parcel was sold off.