Agenda 8-e - Major Subdivision Preliminary Plat Application – Morgan Ridge Subdivision

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24 met with Robert Kirkley at their home located at 4020 Jones Ferry Road on Wednesday 2114118. Robert showed Warren and Wesley the location of the septic tank drainfield and the well location. We noticed that the existing septic field showed no signs of failure. It appears to be working correctly at this time. The Kirkleys are concerned about their options when and if the septic system fails in the future. The letter from Jeff Vaughan states that the only repair septic system suitable for this lot is a surface wastewater discharge system. These types of systems are state approved systems. Mr. Mitchell has designed several of these systems and Mr. Lloyd has installed many of these systems. The system will treat the wastewater first with the septic tank and next with a sand filter or proprietary system like the Advantex by Orenco Systems. This system would be installed next to their existing septic system and the treated wastewater would discharge into the small creek behind their house. It appears that their existing well could remain where it is in the northeast corner of their property. There are other possible locations for another well on their property but the system proposed by Mr. Vaughn doesn't require the well to be relocated or abandoned. Their existing well is approximately 75 feet from our common property line where we show the proposed septic systems for Lots 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6. We prepared a sketch of the system that Mr. Vaughan proposed for the Kirkley's septic system repair. Staff Note: After the 216118 Planning Board meeting and during discussion regarding the off -site septic areas with the developer, it was discovered that the original soils map included in the First Plat submittal and prepared by Central Carolina Soil Consulting, PLLC did not identify the well located on the Kirkley's property that is 75 feet from the common boundary line with Morgan Ridge and the location of the 5 proposed off -site septic areas. Chatham County requires a 100 foot separation between a well and a septic system unless there is a `fixed lot condition' which may allow the distance to be reduced to 50 feet. Per Environmental Health, this is not considered a `fixed lot condition'. Thomas Boyce requested a revised soils map showing the Kirkley's existing well and showing a 10.0 foot separation from the proposed 5 off -site septic areas. Jason Hall, Soil Scientist, provided a revised map, see attachment # 16. Mr. Boyce reviewed and stated that "the septic layout now meets the 100' setback to the neighboring well ". See attachment # 17. *Development is located in an area designated as a Conservation Area in the newly adopted Comprehensive Plan. Did the developer consider doing a Conservation Subdivision which is encouraged in a Conservation Area? A Board member noted that there are limitations on a Conservation Subdivision when wells and septic systems are required. We like the Conservation Subdivision concept but we don't think that this property is ideal for that type of design. The natural features, namely the stream buffers and wetland are linear in shape. The usable area on the property is also linear like the buffers. This makes it difficult to cluster the homes together in a compact manner. The roadway would be the same length in a conservation layout on this property because over half of the useable area is across Meadow Branch Creek. *Concern that Meadow Branch drains to Terrell's Creek which drains to the Haw River and there is a rare species in the river and this is a sensitive watershed. Acknowledge Page 9 of 6