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Public forum highlights sewer, septic and building-permit concerns as Broadhead property development is discussed
Summary
Speakers urged the town and planning commission to limit private sewer systems crossing public roads, and one resident opposed expanded building-permit requirements such as res-checks and soil compaction tests, saying they could add cost and open the door to further mandates.
During the public forum residents raised two planning issues: a proposed development concept connected with the Broadhead property and broader concerns about proposed building-permit requirements.
Norm Begley, a member of the planning commission, asked the planning commission and council to review restrictions on septic systems on private property and to consider limiting multiple septic systems on a single lot. Begley said he serves on the planning commission and asked that commissioners be consulted on process and ethics concerns.
The mayor and staff explained that the discussion about septic systems arose from a developer proposal tied to the Broadhead property that would have required moving sewer from lower lots to higher lots. Staff told the council they had met with the developer and the county health department and that the county health department expressed support for the town’s position. Staff said the town clearly told the developer that crossing public roads with private sewer infrastructure was not acceptable and that the developer agreed to look for other solutions. Council members said crossing public roads is under the town’s control, but noted that crossing private properties without road crossings raises questions they would need to investigate.
Several speakers expressed opposition to mandatory residential engineering checks (res-check) and soil compaction testing as part of building-permit requirements. One resident, Corinne, said she had researched building-code practice and believes that in many cases state code does not mandate res-checks or compaction testing and that such requirements can impose costs on homeowners without guaranteeing prevention of problems. She asked the council to prefer recommendations and options rather than strict mandates and suggested waivers could be considered to address liability concerns.
Council members and staff said the town will refer the septic-system question to the planning commission for prompt review and that they had sought input from county health officials and developers. No new ordinance was adopted at the meeting; council members indicated follow-up at the next planning commission meeting and additional staff analysis would be forthcoming.
