Alton ZBA denies reheard septic special exception in aquifer area; approves narrow setback relief

The Alton Zoning Board of Adjustment on Thursday denied a reheard special exception to allow an individual sewage disposal system within the town’s Aquifer Protection Overlay for a Prospect Mountain Survey application on Eagles Way, and denied a related density variance. The board did, however, approve a small interior setback variance for a manufactured home.

Attorney Sean Dunfee and owner Walter Borowski presented additional material since the prior hearing, including Department of Environmental Services records and evidence that the community operates a DES‑monitored community water system. The applicants argued that DES oversight and routine water testing, plus professional septic design, addressed prior concerns.

Multiple board members said the key unresolved scientific question was whether adding another septic system in the aquifer protection area posed unacceptable risk. Several members urged the board to retain a town‑approved hydrologist or continue the matter until the applicant provided an independent hydrologist study. The applicant offered to obtain a hydrologist report or accept a condition tying approval to a study; the board was divided on whether a conditional approval or a continuance for a report was the correct procedure.

After completing the special‑exception worksheet, the board found the applicant had not demonstrated adequate, safe sewage disposal for the aquifer area and voted unanimously to deny the special exception. Because the special exception was denied, the board then addressed the variances: it denied the density variance (to allow 57 units where 28 are permitted) and related density relief, and it approved a modest interior park‑setback variance (3.9 feet into a 30‑foot setback) for the proposed unit.

Board members suggested the applicant may obtain a hydrologist report and return with new evidence, but the ZBA’s June 5 decisions stand for now.