Town board approves sewer tie‑in for hotel cottages contingent on annexation

The town board voted to permit a proposed sewer tie‑in for an eight‑bedroom cottage project near the Klondike subdivision, but only after the developer completes annexation paperwork and provides a master plan and sewer‑flow modeling for staff review.

Justin Harris, a project representative, told the board the cottages are under roof and that bookings have started; he said an unexpected state requirement for fire suppression briefly delayed progress. Harris said the project is an eight‑bedroom unit composed of joined cottages intended for short stays tied to conference and golf events.

Town staff and board members pressed for technical assurances before granting permanent service. Clint (staff member) said the town’s sewer system is variable but estimated non‑wet‑weather usage to be roughly “50 to 62 percent” of capacity and warned that wet‑weather flows create the town’s primary compliance concerns. Clint also put the cottages’ demand in context, saying, “they’d be about 100 gallon per day per person,” which he said equates to roughly two and a half residential homes for planning purposes.

Board members repeatedly raised process and notification concerns: several said stubbed sewer lines and earlier design work for a pavilion had been discussed during an earlier redevelopment project but not presented to the full board, which contributed to confusion about whether the town had already permitted an extension under prior bids. Members asked for clearer communication between redevelopment staff, the engineer, and the board going forward.

The board’s motion approved the immediate physical tie‑in work to connect to the existing 8‑inch line only after the developer files an annexation petition and provides a master plan the town can run through its sewer CAD model. A board member moved to approve the conditional tie‑in; the motion was seconded and, by voice vote, carried with the board answering “all in favor.” The board asked staff to model projected flows once provided and to return with funding and permit implications if capacity improvements are needed.

What’s next: The developer said he will begin annexation paperwork immediately and share a master plan with staff. Town staff will input projected flows into the sewer model to determine whether upgrades (for example upsizing to a 12‑inch line in segments identified as overflow risk) are required before additional permitting or more permanent connections are granted.