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Resident urges county investigation after neighbor builds homes without permits; health and zoning questions raised
Summary
A resident told commissioners that neighbors have built multiple houses without septic permits and that graywater was observed flowing to a creek; commissioners advised bringing the complaint to the Area Planning Commission for investigation.
During public comment, resident Brian Bremer asked the commissioners to investigate apparent construction without permits on a nearby parcel along Allentown Road. Bremer said he was told he cannot develop his own 30-acre parcel because of road-frontage requirements while a neighbor has built multiple dwellings without apparent septic permits.
"I got a neighbor that built 2 houses up there," Bremer said, adding he reported the matter to the surveyor's office and the health department. He told the board a health-department representative observed graywater discharging over a bank into a creek and that he remained concerned about the location and legality of septic systems for the houses.
Commissioners and staff said enforcement is largely complaint-driven and advised Bremer to bring the matter to the Area Planning Commission (APC) for review. County staff referenced state statute authority for certain health-enforcement actions but acknowledged enforcement often requires formal complaints and that some code remedies are costly and complicated.
The board asked staff to bring the issue to the APC and the assessor's records were suggested as a method to confirm parcel and structure information. Bremer said he appreciated the time and asked the APC to investigate at its next meeting.
