DEPARTMENT: Environmental Resources
FILE TYPE: Regular Action
TITLE
title
Public Hearing To Receive Comments On And Approval Of Variance To Dakota County Ordinance No. 113, Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems For Property Lines And Structures At 29715 Gerlach Way Cannon Falls, MN 55009
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Conduct a public hearing to receive comments on and consider a variance to Dakota County Ordinance No. 113, Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems (Septic Systems) for property lines and structures at 29715 Gerlach Way Cannon Falls, MN 55009.
SUMMARY
The property owner must build a new septic system to replace a system that is showing signs of failure by draining very slowly, according to homeowner testimony and the licensed septic contractor proposing the new septic design. Due to the size of the lot, placement of neighboring wells, and other infrastructure, the only remaining area available would encroach upon the property line to the township road and to the property owners' attached garage. The placement of the proposed septic system would cover most of the same area as the existing system, which must be completely removed. Strict adherence to the ordinance would prohibit the construction of a septic system of appropriate capacity for the three-bedroom house at four hundred fifty gallons per day. The required drain field size for this capacity is three hundred seventy-five square feet. The available area is limited by setbacks to private drinking water wells in the area, and the proposed variance would allow the system to avoid encroaching on those setbacks. Alternatives include installing a more costly system that would operate at a lower capacity or a holding tank system that would require pumping several times a month. The property is in a neighborhood where acquiring additional property is infeasible, as every neighbor has similar restrictions. Denial of the variance would limit the owner's ability to maintain their residence on the lot.
Rules...
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