Developer asks city to consider altering its septic tank policy

Talk about it

A Mitchell developer wants the city to allow septic tanks closer to Lake Mitchell.

Charles Mauszycki Sr. will appear before the Mitchell Planning and Zoning Commission Monday. The current rule is 350 feet; state law is a minimum of 100 feet.

“He’d like to have a discussion with the Planning Commission and perhaps the council,” said City Planner Neil Putnam. “He just wants to have a discussion about it.”

Putnam said Mauszycki is considering building some homes along the lake and wants to see if the city would be willing to alter its rule on the tanks.

In other agenda items, the commission will:

• Hear a report on the proposed new zoning code from City Attorney Carl Koch.

The proposed new code has been in the works for nearly two years and the council gave initial approval to it this summer. But after Koch replaced Randy Stiles as the city attorney, he said he had some problems with it and has been working on changes for several weeks.

Stiles and Putnam, along with the commission and other city staffers, after holding public meetings and studying other cities’ codes, drafted the new code this year and submitted it to the planners, which recommended approval and then passed it ahead to the council.

It was studied and given a first reading by the council and was near final approval when Koch registered objections. Putnam said he has no idea what revisions and recommendations Koch will make.

• Hold a hearing on the application of Bailey Metal Fabricators for a variance to construct an addition at 807 North Rowley St. The request is being made because the front yard setback of 35 feet would not be met, with a 13-foot setback being proposed.

• Hold a hearing on the application of Jordan and Masondra Metzger for two Variances to construct an accessory building at 901 E. Fourth Ave. The request is being made because the side yard corner setback of 20 feet would not be met, with a 5-foot setback proposed, and a proposed backyard setback of 3 feet when 5 feet is the standard.

The planners did not recommend approval of the application two weeks ago, and when the Metzgers appeared before the City Council last week they were advised to return to the commission and make another attempt.

• Examine a plat of lots 1 and 2, block 4 of the Woods First Addition and a portion of East Birch Avenue.

• Review a plat of lot 109 of Maui Farms Second Addition. It was tabled on Sept. 10.

• Review a plan from Stacy Nettinga at 200 W. Seventh Ave. for a project in a neighborhood shopping district.

He has proposed converting some office space into a duplex.

• Review a plan from Boyd Reimnitz at 717 S. Sanborn Blvd. in a highway-oriented business district.

He wants to build garages on some currently empty spaces.

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