Board approves compliance plan for 818 Denton Street; owner agrees to immediate water repairs

The Board of Public Works unanimously approved a plan to bring 818 Denton Street into compliance with city water and sewer lateral requirements.

Tina Erickson of the utilities office told the board the water connection must be brought into compliance immediately under current code, while sanitary sewer lateral replacement can be deferred until the lateral fails, the property is redeveloped, or a scheduled main replacement occurs, consistent with the Board’s sanitary sewer lateral replacement policy.

Property owner Spencer Nicolati said he purchased the property in a dilapidated condition intending to renovate or sell it and confirmed the sewer lateral is currently functioning. Nicolati agreed to complete the water lateral "immediately," as Erickson suggested, but asked the board to avoid premature rerouting or replacement that would impose unnecessary costs until a street reconstruction or lateral failure makes rerouting necessary. Staff said Ninth Street is the closest existing sewer main that would be used if rerouting becomes necessary, and neither Ninth nor Denton is currently in the city’s five‑year plan.

A motion to approve the compliance plan was made by Director Train and seconded by Council President Dickinson; the motion passed unanimously.

The board did not set a specific timetable for any sanitary lateral replacement beyond the triggers outlined by staff; staff will follow up with property‑specific instructions and requirements.