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14 <br /> The mandated standard that septic tanks and nitrification fields be located <br /> at least 100' from perennial or intermittent streams is proposed to be <br /> moved from Article 6.23.4 Setbacks (deleted) to Article 6.23.10 Water <br /> Supply/Sewage Disposal Facilities. <br /> Environmental Health, as well as DEM require that septic tanks and nitrification fields <br /> be located at least 100' from perennial or intermittent streams. Orange County standards <br /> currently require that septic systems be located outside of stream buffers. The minimum <br /> width of stream buffers is 50'. Larger buffers may be required, depending on slope and <br /> vegetation. Outside of Critical Areas, the maximum buffer width is 150'. Within <br /> Critical Areas, there is no maximum width. <br /> RECOMMENDATION- The Planning Staff recommends that septic disposal systems be <br /> located outside of strewn buffers, or 100'from an intermittent or perennial streams, <br /> whichever is greater. <br /> b) Requirements pertaining to stream buffers <br /> There are currently no stream buffer requirements in the Haw, Jordan, Lower <br /> Eno and South Hyco Creek watersheds because they are not classified by Orange <br /> County as water supply watersheds at this time. In the portions of the Back <br /> Creek, Upper Eno, Little River and Flat River watersheds in Cedar Grove and <br /> Little River Townships, a 50' stream buffer is currently required by the <br /> Subdivision Regulations. The proposed regulations require a stream buffer of 50' <br /> to 150', depending on slope, except within a Critical Area, where there is no <br /> upper limit. <br /> Application of the proposed stream buffer requirements on existing lots which <br /> were not subject to stream buffer standards at the time of subdivision approval <br /> could result in difficulties in developing the lot. Such difficulties can be <br /> addressed through submittal of a variance request to the Board of Adjustment. <br /> Because the State does not mandate that buffers be applied to existing lots, there <br /> is no minimum buffer width which must be maintained if a variance is approved. <br /> RECOMMENDATION - The Planning Staff recommends that the proposed <br /> stream buffer standards continue to apply to existing and new lots in all <br /> watersheds, as is currently required. Property owners can request a variance <br /> from the Board of Adjustment if application of the full width creates a hardship. <br /> 10 <br />