DeKalb approves sewer upgrades tied to new housing and advances Pine Lake septic-to-sewer petition

DeKalb County’s Public Works & Infrastructure Committee approved an agreement to finance sewer upgrades up front for a developer-led project and advanced a petition-driven septic-to-sewer conversion for a small Pine Lake neighborhood toward public hearings.

The committee approved agenda item 2026-0568, an agreement for upfront construction and financing of sewer upgrades associated with a development that staff listed in item materials as Westberry Family ILP. Staff said the project will support the construction of approximately 210 housing units and some retail space; the developer contribution was cited in committee materials as $682,000 and the county’s contribution was described as $213,000. Director Wells explained the county funds sewer upgrades up front with the expectation of developer reimbursement.

Separately, agenda item 2026-0601 described a petition-driven conversion from septic to gravity sewer in a small Pine Lake area on Forest Road. Staff said homeowners submitted a petition that exceeded the 51% threshold required for special tax districts (staff reported 100% signatures in this small area). The program allows homeowners to contribute up to $7,500 each toward connection costs; staff said additional county costs arise when restoring pavement and extending laterals to properties.

During the Pine Lake discussion, staff cited an example of roughly 240 linear feet of pipe and noted that the full project cost—after pipe work, lateral extensions and pavement restoration—could approach amounts in the mid-six-figure range (a figure of about $650,000 was discussed as an illustrative example). Staff emphasized the homeowner cap limits direct homeowner cost to $7,500 and that the county must absorb or finance other elements of the restoration.

In a related infrastructure action, the committee approved a fleet purchase (agenda item 2026-0473) for a vaccon sewer truck (Vac-Con International model HV507 with hot shot jetting) from Vatcon Incorporated (care of Carolina Environmental Systems) at an amount not to exceed $412,880.15 to replace aging equipment used to clear sewers and manholes.

Actions recorded in the meeting were approved by voice vote; the transcript does not include roll-call tallies. Staff said they will correct item documentation going forward to include company names in agenda subjects where appropriate and will return with necessary documentation for the Pine Lake public hearing.