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Residents and consultants urge more public review of county septic 'LAMP' update; board approves consent items including ordinance referral
Summary
Speakers asked supervisors to send the Local Agency Management Program (LAMP) back for revisions, citing cost, setbacks and housing impacts; staff said the LAMP will go to the Regional Water Quality Control Board with further public comment. Consent calendar including the ordinance was approved.
Several speakers on Sept. 11 urged the Board of Supervisors to delay or revise a Local Agency Management Program (LAMP) update for onsite wastewater systems, arguing the proposed changes could raise costs, increase setbacks and impede housing development.
Consultants and private‑sector commenters, including Greg Brown and Larry Newcomb, described the LAMP document as lengthy and complex and asked staff to return it for further revision and public input. Brown said the revision would "dramatically reduce density and affect housing throughout the county," and cited potential conflicts with state government code language mentioned during public comment. Newcomb, a private consultant, urged the board to return the LAMP to DEHQ for more revision and stakeholder input.
DEHQ and Planning staff responded that the ordinance before the board contained permitting and enforcement language only and that technical details remain in the LAMP document. Staff said the LAMP revision was the product of more than two years of work and some 16 stakeholder outreach sessions; it must be approved by the Regional Water Quality Control Board, which will provide an additional public comment period. Staff offered to meet with constituents and assist with public participation in the regional board review process.
The board approved the consent calendar, which contained the second reading of the ordinance tied to the LAMP, by roll call vote (unanimous). Staff said the Regional Water Quality Control Board is anticipated to hear the LAMP in the fall and that additional stakeholder outreach will continue.
Why it matters: The LAMP governs permitting and management for septic and alternative onsite wastewater systems in unincorporated areas. Changes to setbacks, monitoring or permitting can affect lot development, housing feasibility, and costs for property owners. Residents said they need more clarity about implementation and appeal pathways.
What's next: Staff will continue outreach, assist constituents in participating in the Regional Water Quality Control Board public comment period and, if necessary, return to the board with further refinements following regional board review and stakeholder input.
