Council continues request from resident to build shop but not connect to water/sewer until scarcity lifted

Jeremy Price requested permission to build a shop on his property and to place plumbing stubs in the concrete now while agreeing not to hook the building to city water or sewer until Wellsville's water scarcity restrictions are lifted. Price said he signed an agreement given to public works acknowledging he would not connect immediately but wants provisions built into the slab so future hookups can be made without tearing concrete.

Council and staff reviewed the city's and state's hookup rules. Scott (city staff) reminded the council that state code requires properties within 300 feet of a public sewer to connect; Scott measured the distance to the nearest sewer and said it was roughly 220 feet to the property line. The city code mirrors the state requirement, the staff said, so the 300-foot rule applies. Staff also noted the property is currently served by a septic tank, and the parcel may be inside the city's new wells recharge zone where new septic systems could be restricted.

Council members and staff told Price he may build the shop and stub plumbing for future connections, but that any in-building restroom or kitchen added later would require a sewer connection and might force the existing house to connect as well. Several council members said they would prefer the house and accessory building use gravity sewer if possible; staff suggested other options, including a grinder pump system, might also be feasible.

Outcome: the council voted to continue the discussion and asked staff to present the city's water scarcity agreement and applicable code language at the next meeting so the council can make an informed decision. The motion to continue passed by voice vote.

Ending: Staff will place the city water-scarcity policy and the hookup code on the next agenda and return the item for council determination.