Orange County NC Website
136 <br /> (deleted) to Article 6.23 . 10 Water Supply/Sewage <br /> Disposal Facilities. <br /> Orange County standards currently require that <br /> septic systems require that septic systems be <br /> located outside of stream buffers. The minimum <br /> width of stream buffers is 50 ' . Larger buffers may <br /> be required, depending on slope and vegetation. <br /> Outside of Critical Areas, the maximum buffer width <br /> is 150 ' . Within Critical Areas, there is no maximum <br /> width. <br /> The Planning Staff recommends that septic disposal <br /> systems be located outside of stream buffers, or <br /> 100 ' from an intermittent or perennial streams, <br /> whichever is greater. <br /> Burklin asked if the 300 ' setback is based on a <br /> study. Willis responded that was in place when she <br /> began work with Orange County. She noted that <br /> review with Environmental Health indicated they have <br /> no concern with a 300 ' setback. Burklin asked if <br /> DEM had addressed that issue and Willis responded <br /> no. <br /> Collins stated that the 300 ' came from a document <br /> titled "Environmental Planning" . The section on <br /> wastewater disposal related to environmental <br /> concerns stated a recommended requirement of 300 ' in <br /> critical areas. Collins continued that CDM <br /> considered all of University Lake Watershed a <br /> critical area, thus, the 300 ' requirement. However, <br /> CDM did not recommend 300 ' . <br /> Willis continued that another issue was stream <br /> buffers. Application of the proposed stream buffer <br /> requirements on existing lots which were not subject <br /> to stream buffer standards at the time of <br /> subdivision approval could result in difficulties in <br /> developing the lot. Such difficulties can be <br /> addressed through submittal of a variance request to <br /> the Board of Adjustment. Because the State does not <br /> mandate that buffers be applied to existing lots, <br /> there is no minimum buffer width which must be <br /> maintained if a variance is approved. <br /> The Planning Staff recommends that the proposed <br /> stream buffer standards continue to apply to <br /> existing and new lots in all watersheds, as is <br /> currently required. Property owners can request a <br /> variance from the Board of Adjustment if application <br /> of the full width creates a hardship. <br /> Cantrell asked if the general public seems to be <br />