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Board opens hearing on septic setback variance for Cold Spring property
Summary
Stearns County staff told the board a designer recommended siting a replacement septic tank and soil absorption area close to an existing failed treatment area on a 41.7-acre parcel at 14556 Kingwood Road, a plan that would not meet the county's lake setback requirement.
Stearns County board members opened a hearing on a request from Kevin and Anna May Schrom, on behalf of the Schrome Family Trust, to construct a replacement sewage tank and soil absorption area that would not meet required lake setback distances at 14556 Kingwood Road in Cold Spring, Collegeville Township.
Staff said the property is a 41.7-acre tract in a '40' zoning district. The original septic system was designed for a mobile home and was installed in 1991; a recent compliance inspection found the existing tank compliant but the soil treatment area failed for lack of required separation. A licensed designer was engaged to design the replacement; the designer recommended reusing the existing compliant tank, adding a new tank for additional capacity, and locating the new soil treatment area close to the existing failed area. Staff reported the proposed siting would deviate from the required setbacks by roughly 60% for the tank and 57% for the soil treatment area.
Staff and participants said there are extensive wetlands behind the barn, sloughs and proximity to Long Lake on the parcel. Board members asked whether the designer had proposed any alternatives farther from the water. Staff and others said the designer considered other locations but judged the only realistic alternative would be well up in the field, which would require pumping roughly 400 feet uphill and removal of trees; that option was described as technically possible but operationally difficult and costly.
Collegeville Township, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and property owners within 500 feet have been notified, staff said. Board members recorded that Rob and John visited the property; Barry and George said they did not.
At the close of questioning the chair asked whether there was any public testimony and opened the item to commenters.
The board had not taken a formal vote on the Schrome Family Trust request by the end of the segment; the hearing proceeded to public comment.
