Board approves septic-system variance for 11.33-acre Lang parcel; requires type-3 mound system

The Morrison County Board of Adjustment unanimously approved a variance on June 23 allowing Alex Lang to develop an 11.33-acre parcel that staff found could not support a standard type-1 septic system.

Amy, the county land services presenter, said soil borings showed only a 4-inch separation from the seasonally high water table on the parcel created in 2007, while a type-1 drain field requires at least 12 inches of separation and three feet of treatment. Because the parcel was split before current submittal requirements, the lot lacks the soil separation needed for a type-1 system; staff told the board a type-3 mound system would be necessary.

Board members who visited the site described the lot as generally suitable for residential construction but constrained by wetlands to the west and shallow soils. No members of the public spoke on the application. The board answered the required finding-of-fact questions in the affirmative, citing soil constraints and local conditions as a practical difficulty that justified the variance.

Chair and all board members voted to grant Lang’s variance; staff advised Lang to submit the septic design and building plans when applying for permits.

The approval permits development only after required permitting steps (septic design and permits) are completed.