Taos planning commission approves variance for septic receiving station on Bertha Street

The Town of Taos Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4-0 on Feb. 4 to approve a variance allowing a septic receiving station to sit 10 feet from the property line at 223 Bertha Street, reducing the M1 zone front-yard setback from 35 feet.

Town staff and the project agent told commissioners the change responds to an EPA Region 6 administrative order issued in November 2023 requiring plans and eventual relocation of septic receiving operations after effluent-limit violations at the town wastewater treatment plant. Mark Flores, assistant town manager, said the town submitted engineering plans by the Jan. 5, 2026 deadline and must complete relocation by March 30, 2027.

“The purpose of the septic receivable station is to allow for septic haulers to discharge septic upstream and away from the town’s wastewater treatment plant,” Flores said, explaining the facility will pretreat and dilute septage to avoid overloading the plant.

Douglas Patterson, the applicant’s agent with Living Design Group Architects, described a small metal building on the town yard parcel with an overhang where large septic-hauler trucks will back up to plug into an enclosed receiving and screening machine. Patterson said the machine will screen and grind solids and add water before discharging to the town sewer, and that a typical truck can unload in “5 to 15 minutes.” He told commissioners the proposed location uses existing sewer and water infrastructure, and that placing the building farther back would require significant utility relocation and create risky maneuvering for drivers.

“If we were to build this building another 20 feet back, that would mean that the septic haulers have to negotiate two 90-degree turns while backing up,” Patterson said, adding that the configuration would become “a public safety liability.”

Staff and the applicant said the receiving system is fully enclosed to limit odors, will include exhausts and containment, and has monitoring capabilities to track flow and pollutant loads for accurate billing. Flores said only Town of Taos and Taos County licensed, permitted septic haulers will be allowed to discharge at the site. The applicant also said the equipment will separate grease and other debris for proper disposal and will not act as long-term storage of septage.

There were no written or in-person public comments submitted for the application. Commissioner De Herrera moved to approve case PZ2025-78, Commissioner Gooch seconded, and the commission approved the variance by roll call (De Herrera, Gooch, Chairman Mondragon and Vice Chairman Goldman — all yes).

The decision grants the variance subject to any conditions the commission determines are necessary to protect public health, safety and community aesthetics and requires the applicant to comply with applicable local, state and federal regulations. The applicant and staff said the relocation is part of the town’s compliance plan under the EPA administrative order, with a relocation target of March 30, 2027.