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1 <br />ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: April 14, 2015 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. 2 <br />SUBJECT: Presentation on Alternatives to On -site Septic Systems <br />DEPARTMENT: Health /Planning PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) No <br />ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Powerpoint: Septic System Options Alan Clapp, 245 -2363 <br />Craig Benedict, 245 -2592 <br />Michael Harvey, 245 -2597 <br />PURPOSE: To receive a presentation from Environmental Health and Planning staff on septic <br />system and subdivision development alternatives. <br />BACKGROUND: Typical subdivision development in Orange County in areas not served by <br />public sewer primarily utilizes septic systems on individual lots. There are off -site septic <br />alternatives available using cluster development principles with smaller lots and much larger <br />open spaces. Staff will present some of these development principles that keep the character of <br />the individual lot, but offer the developer flexibility to work around topography and soil <br />limitations. There are watersheds (e.g. University Lake Protected) that have limited options <br />because of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). Planning and Environmental Health <br />staff will discuss how alternatives for septic systems and development could be incorporated <br />into the UDO. <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with receiving the presentation. <br />There is a financial impact with septic system installation that is borne by the developer or <br />eventual lot owner. The cost of a gravity flow system ranges from approximately $5,000 to <br />$12,000 (depending on number of bedrooms for which the system is sized), with pump systems <br />typically costing an additional $1,500 to $2,500. Septic systems also create some personnel <br />costs to the County in the form of permitting and inspection. All systems with a pump require an <br />inspection every 3 to 5 years by Health Department staff based on the drainfield type. The <br />developer, homeowner or Home Owners Association (HOA) incurs fees from the Health <br />Department for the inspection. <br />RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board: <br />1. Receive the presentation; and <br />2. Provide feedback and questions as appropriate. <br />