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Orange Water and Sewer Authority <br /> 400 Jones Fe.rry Road 18 <br /> -OWASA-1 P.0, Box 366 <br /> Carrboro, NC 27510 <br /> (919) 968-4421 <br /> MEMORANDUINI <br /> TO: Everett Billingsley <br /> FROM: Ed Holland <br /> DATE: September 16, 1994 <br /> SUBJECT: Proposed Changes to Orange County Setback Requirements for Septic Systems and <br /> Structures from Streams and Lake Shorelines <br /> Back&oMad <br /> During February and March, 1994 the Orange County Board of Commissioners held a public <br /> hearing and considered amending the County's Zoning Ordinance to allow more flexibility in the <br /> development of certain lots constrained by setback requirements of the water supply protection <br /> measures that became effective January 1, 1994. <br /> The provisions in question require that new structures be located at least 150 feet from a <br /> reservoir, or outside of a designated stream buffer, whichever distance is greater. Septic systems <br /> must be located at least 300 feet from a reservoir, or outside of a designated stream buffer, which <br /> ever distance is greater. Because these new requirements rendered a number of existing one to <br /> two-acre lots unbuildable around Lake Orange, the County considered reducing the setbacks for <br /> lots created prior to January 1, 1994. The more stringent (current) requirements would remain in <br /> effect for all lots created after that date. <br /> On February 24, 1994 OWASA'3 Board of Directors adopted a resolution opposing the proposed <br /> changes for the University lAke and Cane Creek watersheds and reaffirmed its earlier position of <br /> November 11, 1993: <br /> *Ezisfing setback requirements of 300 feet for septic system and 150feet or <br /> structures should remain in place along the shorelines of University Lake and the <br /> Cam Creek Reservoir and along the perennial streams discharging to these <br /> impoundments." <br /> The proposed amendment was not adopted by the Commissioners due in part to OWASA's <br /> opposition and concern that it would be perceived as a relaxation of the County's commitment to <br /> protect the Cane Creek watershed (we September 6, 1994 Commissioners' agenda abstract, <br /> attached), Instead, the Commissioners directed staff to develop as administrative procedure for <br /> conddoting variance requests in a less expensive and more expedient manner than case by case <br /> applications to the Board of Adjustment. County staff determined that no such procedure was <br /> feasible, and proposed the revised strategy described in the Commissioners' September 6 agenda <br /> packet. <br /> An Equal Opportunity Employer <br />