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Planning panel OKs Lombardo Homes waiver for 14 on-site septic systems at Reserve at Saint Albans
Summary
The Wildwood Planning and Zoning Commission voted to grant Lombardo Homes a waiver allowing individual household wastewater systems for up to 14 lots at the Reserve at Saint Albans, after staff cited a geohydraulic evaluation and developer commitments including escrow and inspection requirements.
The Wildwood Planning and Zoning Commission on March 2 approved a waiver allowing Lombardo Homes to install individual household wastewater treatment systems on up to 14 lots at the Reserve at Saint Albans subdivision instead of requiring a centralized packaged wastewater treatment plant.
Department of Planning staff said a geohydraulic evaluation from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources found favorable soil and bedrock conditions that make on-site systems feasible. The department recommended reducing the developer’s requested 16 lots to 14 to provide wider lot widths and greater separation of drain fields from floodplain areas, and noted Lombardo agreed to conditions including inspection requirements and reserves.
Doug Nance of Lombardo Homes told the commission the developer had reached agreement with the homeowners association and planned a maintenance program for the systems: “we'll set the HOA up to manage the individual septics, with $5,000 escrow going into an account, and then a central service provider, to service and, inspect the systems on an annual basis.” Department staff said the package of information also included a geohydraulic analysis and other submittals incorporated into the report.
Staff explained specific technical points about risk and design. The department noted the site’s geologic profile means smaller lot sizes can be accommodated in principle, but Wildwood’s minimum lot size remains three acres; the department’s recommendation balanced technical findings with conservative conditions. As the department summarized, “the department now believes that the waiver should be granted.”
Several nearby residents raised questions about flooding, erosion and the vulnerability of drain fields in a flood event. Staff and engineering representatives said the tanks are closed systems and that the drain field—the subsurface area where liquid is absorbed—is the main consideration, and they described checks including MDNR and Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District review during the preliminary plat process.
Commissioner Humphrey moved to accept the department’s recommendation to grant the waiver for up to 14 lots; the motion was seconded and passed on roll call with all voting in favor. The approval includes the department’s recommended conditions (inspection regimen, administration, escrow and reserves).
