07-14-1980 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING OF THE ORONO COUNCIL, JULY 14 , 1980 Page 9 Mr. Levens ' position is that he would not want to WEST LAKE STREET spend a large amount of money for a "permanent" septic BAYSIDE ROAD system if sewer is coming in a few years, which is (Continued) understandable . However, at this point, we do not have plans for sewer but his area has been under study, with a building/land use moratorium currently in effect. _ Due to the existing non-conforming use of the Levens ' property, allowing repairs to the septic system might in effect, be promoting continuance of the non-conforming use . If the system is not repaired, it will remain non-conforming and continue to suffer intermittent £ailure as well as being a continuing pollution hazard. If the system is repaired following all Code standards, there will be major expenses for the property owner due to the need for pumping regardless of whether the cabins remain or not. If the system is repaired under relaxed code standards with the assumption that sewer might be coming in a few years, and it does not, then we have not accomplished anything. With the current Council policy of dealing with these non-conforming rental units as problems arise , staff would like some recommendation as to the degree of repairs to be allowed or required for the Levens' property and/or continued use of the cabins. In addition, should we require owners of other obviously � non-conforming septic systems in the area to find alternate methods (holding tanks, etc. ) of the treating their sewage? Should we send questionnaires to find out the neighborhood' s general attitude on sewer in the area? In other areas of the City, certain properties on lakeshore lots have obviously non-conforming septic systems, i.e. within 75 ' of the lake and/or within ' three feet of the water table. Should we enforce a policy of bringing these systems into full compliance even though they are not "visibly failing"? Council Meeting - July 14 , 1980 Mayor Van Nest commented that each on-site disposal system should comply with today' s standards or be substituted with a holding tank. The City of Orono should not allow a few failing systems dictate municipal sewering of a total area. If the systems cannot function in the general area, we shall then review the need to provide improvements for these systems.