Commission holds first reading to preserve lot-size caps in on-site sewage rules

County attorney Willard introduced a first reading of proposed changes to on-site sewage management code (chapters 18 and 44) that would preserve existing lot-size caps regardless of whether property connects to city sewer. Willard said the original building code's two different sections created a loophole that could allow denser development where city sewer became available; the proposed text keeps the county's intended lot-size limits in force.

Willard told commissioners the changes were limited in number and intended to close the exception that arose as city sewer service expanded outside original drafting assumptions. He said the county will hold a public hearing on the sewage-management updates before pursuing a second reading and adoption. "So this is just to preserve what Union County wanted to keep and take out the exception that arose because of the time and expansion," Willard said.