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County won’t promise sewer service for Froehlich parcel ahead of auction; water wholesale option exists
Summary
Warren County water officials told commissioners they cannot guarantee sewer service for the 10.6‑acre Gail Froehlich parcel in South Lebanon before an auction; water service may be available through an existing wholesale agreement with the village but sewer would require a service boundary amendment and likely a privately funded lift station.
County water and sewer staff told commissioners they could not promise sewer service for a 10.6‑acre parcel owned by Gail Froehlich that was scheduled for auction next week.
"This property is actually located in the city of South Lebanon," Chris Brosh, with the Warren County Water & Sewer Department, said, explaining that the county is not the designated management agency for sewer service in that jurisdiction. Brosh said the parcel abuts a county sewer line but the sewer runs at a low grade there and serving the site would likely require a privately built lift station.
Brosh described a 24‑inch county transmission water main that crosses the property under an easement but stressed that the easement does not automatically permit tapping the transmission main: "We would dictate where they tap in." He said the county could provide wholesale water service through an agreement with South Lebanon already in place, but sewer service would require an intergovernmental agreement and a 208 water quality amendment to modify established sewer service boundaries under the Clean Water Act.
City of South Lebanon administrator Jerry (speaker 8) told the board the seller has attempted to market the property for more than a decade and that prior rezoning and a proposed 60‑unit attached housing plan drew neighborhood opposition and was withdrawn; the parcel remains zoned R1, which under the city code could allow roughly 20 half‑acre lots but the current interested buyer was seeking to create five to seven lots.
Commissioners cautioned against making commitments before the auction and said any decision to provide sewer would need to address fairness to other bidders, density and cost allocation. Several commissioners suggested a work session after the auction so staff can present capacity details and options; Brosh said staff could present proposals if the board wanted to consider them after the sale.
No formal action was taken at the meeting; staff reiterated water could be supplied under the county’s wholesale agreement with South Lebanon but sewer service would remain subject to boundary changes, approvals and cost allocation.
