Pine County considers loosening septic-lot rules, zoning board proposes administrative variance

County staff presented a proposed update to the subsurface sewage treatment (septic) ordinance intended to reduce the need for variances when creating new lots that cannot meet the 12-inch good-soil requirement for a type 1 septic system.

Kelly Schroeder, county administrator, summarized the problem and a zoning-board suggestion: Minnesota rule 7080.100 subpart 3(f) requires new lots created after Jan. 23, 1996 to have two soil treatment areas able to support a type 1 system, but many existing lots in Pine County commonly use type 3 systems. Schroeder explained the zoning board's proposed administrative variance criteria — for unplatted splits of 2.5 to 4.99 acres require 60% buildable area as shown by a wetland delineation; for new lots over 5 acres require at least one acre of buildable area — and asked the board for feedback before returning to the zoning board and scheduling a public hearing.

Commissioners questioned the split thresholds and suggested a consistent standard. Multiple commissioners urged consistency and proposed a 1.5-acre minimum buildable-area standard across applicable minor subdivisions. Commissioners also raised process issues: when staff would perform site visits, whether the county would rely on licensed septic designers and soil borings, how dispute resolution between designers and county would work, and whether smaller lots should be required to obtain wetland delineations. Schroeder said the current ordinance already contains dispute-resolution steps and that the zoning board's language is meant to provide an administrative, simpler pathway while retaining the formal variance process when appropriate.

No formal vote was taken; Schroeder said she would return to the zoning board in December with revisions and that a public hearing would follow. Commissioners indicated a preference for consistent standards (one suggested 1.5 acres) to make application and enforcement easier.