HomeMy WebLinkAboutSDP201600019 Other 2016-06-28County of Albemarle
Department of Community Development
Memorandum
To: Patricia Saternye, Senior Planner
From: Mark B. Graham, P.E. , Director of Community Development
Date: 28 June 2016
Subject: Gropen / Parham Site - SDP2016-00019
With respect to the question of whether the subject project is required to connect to the public water and sewerage
system, I find that it is allowed for this development to utilize the existing onsite well and septic system in lieu of
extending the public water and sewer lines to this property.
I base this decision on 18-32.7.5.1.a of the County's Zoning Ordinance, which specifies the requirements for a water
and sewerage system with a final site plan. This section refers me to 18-4.1 of the Zoning Ordinance which states that
connection to the public water supply and/or the public sewer system is not required if that cost, exclusive of
connection fees, exceeds the cost of the onsite facilities needed to support this use. Based on my experience with
construction of water and sewer facilities, with the know length of extension, that cost will greatly exceed the cost of
connecting this addition to the existing well and septic system.
In approving this exception to 18-4.1, I am specifying three conditions:
1. It is dependent on the Health Department finding that the existing onsite well and septic system have
adequate capacity for this planned 11,600 square foot expansion or that alterations to the existing well and
septic system will address this expansion. Basically, Health Dept. approval is needed for the final site plan
and only that buildings covered by the final site plan are allowed to connect to the onsite well and septic
system.
2. It is dependent on the Health Department finding that only domestic sewage is being put into the system or
the Health Department determining that the process waste is not harmful to the septic system. Basically,
ensuring that any other wastes are found safe for this septic system.
3 The connections to the onsite well and septic system are made prior to public water and sewer being brought
to the property. This recognizes the determination made with respect to 18-4.1 was based on the need to
bring and water and sewer lines to the property. If those lines are at the property, the condition is no longer
satisfied.