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PCMemoSepticSystemOrd1.5.16Memorandum To: Scandia Planning Commission Copies To: Neil Soltis, City Administrator Brenda Eklund, City Clerk Reference: Septic System Ordinance— Proposed Ordinance Update Project No.: 15745.000 From: Sherri Buss, RLA AICP, Routing: Planner Date: December 30. 2015 Washington County's Health Department contacted the City, and has requested that the City's Development Code be updated to adopt the County's Subsurface Septic System Ordinance (Chapter Four of the County's Development Code), and clarify that the City will handle variances related to setbacks and zoning issues. County staff indicated that the current reference to the County code in our ordinance does not make it clear that the County will handle variance requests that relate to the technical requirements of septic systems, and the City will handle variances related to setbacks and zoning. The County ordinance states that modifications related to zoning will be heard by the Washington County Board of Adjustment and Appeals. This has created some confusion about roles in handling variances in recent applications such as the Helms variance in 2014. The Helms tried to appeal to the County to overturn the City's decision and conditions for that variance. Staff reviewed ordinances from other cities in Washington County that rely on the County to enforce its Subsurface Septic System Ordinance requirements within those cities, including those from Hugo, Forest Lake, and Cottage Grove. The proposed amendment, attached, is based on the language that was used in those ordinances. Staff request that the Planning Commission review the proposed ordinance amendment, attached, and consider a public hearing on the proposed change at the February meeting. An employee owned company promoting affirmative action and equal opportunity 444 Cedar Street, Suite 1500 Saint Paul, MN 55101 651.292.4400 tkda.cam TKDA Memorandum To: Scandia Planning Commission Copies To: Neil Soltis, City Administrator Brenda Eklund, City Clerk Reference: Septic System Ordinance— Proposed Ordinance Update Project No.: 15745.000 From: Sherri Buss, RLA AICP, Routing: Planner Date: December 30. 2015 Washington County's Health Department contacted the City, and has requested that the City's Development Code be updated to adopt the County's Subsurface Septic System Ordinance (Chapter Four of the County's Development Code), and clarify that the City will handle variances related to setbacks and zoning issues. County staff indicated that the current reference to the County code in our ordinance does not make it clear that the County will handle variance requests that relate to the technical requirements of septic systems, and the City will handle variances related to setbacks and zoning. The County ordinance states that modifications related to zoning will be heard by the Washington County Board of Adjustment and Appeals. This has created some confusion about roles in handling variances in recent applications such as the Helms variance in 2014. The Helms tried to appeal to the County to overturn the City's decision and conditions for that variance. Staff reviewed ordinances from other cities in Washington County that rely on the County to enforce its Subsurface Septic System Ordinance requirements within those cities, including those from Hugo, Forest Lake, and Cottage Grove. The proposed amendment, attached, is based on the language that was used in those ordinances. Staff request that the Planning Commission review the proposed ordinance amendment, attached, and consider a public hearing on the proposed change at the February meeting. An employee owned company promoting affirmative action and equal opportunity