Orange County NC Website
18 <br />system to serve the same purpose and fulfill a promise that was made to the citizens in that <br />area. There is relatively high density and poor soil, so this system will provide help to this area. <br />This will also help with the Efland Small Area Plan in that it will assist with the economic <br />development. This new section describes how no one will be paying the County back for this <br />system. Any new development in areas where sewer system is available will be required to <br />connect to the system. However, people with functioning septic systems can continue to use <br />their system. If a property owner's system fails, then they would be required to connect to this <br />system. <br />The recommendation is to receive public comment and to refer the matter to the <br />Planning Board for a recommendation back to the Board of County Commissioners on April <br />17'h. <br />Commissioner McKee said that he understands that property owners with a previously <br />approved repair area would not be able to use that if their system failed and would have to <br />connect to this system. It was answered yes. Commissioner McKee said that this concerns <br />him. <br />Frank Clifton said that all of the citizens of Orange County are subsidizing the users of <br />this system now and the revenues do not even cover the costs of operating the system. This is <br />the standard to require people to connect to this system if their systems fail. Ultimately, the <br />County will be turning this system over to the City of Mebane and their policies will take <br />precedence. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that he shares Commissioner McKee's concerns. He <br />thought that an alternative was that there was a compromise for people to be able to use their <br />repair area and not have to hook on. He thinks that C1 is a good compromise because it allows <br />for some reasonable continuation. <br />Commissioner Yuhasz said that there are a number of parcels that are served by sewer <br />that are very large. He asked if there was any consideration given to maximum distance. <br />Kevin Lindley said that this is more of a concern for a pumping system and this is not as <br />much of a concern with this system. <br />Frank Clifton said that there may be some provisions that make sense. <br />Pete Hollenbeck said that he does not think that anyone in Efland who would say that <br />this makes sense to have to hook onto a system when there is an approved repair area. He <br />said that no one will think this is a good idea. <br />Commissioner McKee asked that there be an amendment that a viable repair area be <br />acceptable for a septic system that fails. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Foushee to <br />refer the matter to the Planning Board with a request that a recommendation be returned to the <br />BOCC in time for the April 17, 2012 BOCC regular meeting; adjourn the public hearing until April <br />17, 2012 in order to receive and accept the Planning Board's recommendation and any <br />submitted written comments; with the addition that it be returned to the Planning Board with the <br />suggestion that the Planning Board discuss and consider an additional item #2 using an <br />approved repair as a possible alternative, and also to consider distances. <br />NO PUBLIC COMMENT <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that when the Planning Board considers this, then maybe it <br />could consider whether this is ad infinitum or whether there would be a time limit beyond which <br />property owners would have to hook up. <br />Frank Clifton suggested having the time limit be until ownership is transferred to the City <br />of Mebane. <br />