Minutes 05-26-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Michael Harvey said the comments from OWASA are valued but the actions of the State are beyond the County's control. He said the County has achieved a reasonable solution to the problem and puts the responsibility on the property owner to come up with a solution. He said there may be exemptions to the State's potential changes as well as studies that the County can complete to show the importance of restrictive stream buffers. Michael Harvey said even though the State may modify the Stream Buffer Program it does not invalidate the benefits of this process. Michael Harvey said he has heard Commissioner Jacobs express concern that while this may have universal application for protected watersheds there is concern that tinkering with the impervious surface limit in the critical watersheds should be prohibited. He asked for both the BOCC and the Planning Board to consider this comment. Chair McKee said he is concerned with the odd shaped lots that have been developed due to the configuration of the land. He said some have very long driveways that eat up the impervious surface. He said he feels this option would allow people to build a larger house, garage, or some other out building on their property which is currently difficult to do. Chair McKee said one of the emails received concerned the ownership of a ten acre property with a 1.8 or 2.3 percent impervious surface, which is well under the 6 percent allowance. He said this particular configuration is affected by the way the developer assigned the impervious surface and puts extreme limits on what a person can build on their property. Michael Harvey said the Board has asked staff to look into whether the Subdivision Ordinance needs to be amended to include a mandatory minimum percentage of impervious for every lot, thus preventing developers from robbing Peter to pay Paul. Chair McKee said the matter must be reviewed thoroughly. Michael Harvey said both Planning and Erosion Control staff meet with individuals seeking to develop property to try to identify alternative means to develop driveways. He said one example is geoweb, a hard composite plastic that is buried subterranean and can support the weight of a vehicle. He said it is not counted as impervious and would allow developers to address the specific instance to which Chair McKee referred. Commissioner Pelissier asked if staff, with regard to a maintenance agreement, is suggesting that the homeowner pay for the additional inspections. She asked if such funds would cover the additional staff required to conduct the inspections. Michael Harvey said the funds could supplement the need for additional staff. He said different options are being considered. Commissioner Pelissier said ask the Planning Board or staff to consider giving home owners up front notification about the repairs, their costs and the exact responsibility the home owner incurs. Michael Harvey said currently the Erosion Control staff clearly details the operations agreement and does a detailed walk through of all expectations. He said cost is not currently discussed but estimates could be provided.