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now going over. I think that the reason I would rant to address you tonight is that in
making the decision to allow Herunwood that three of the things basically that were just
mentioned in the Findings of Fact were that the island would not be developed, that
causeway not be allowed to interfere with the waterway, and third that the septic sewage
system be used and that the sewage not be chemically treated and put out into the lake.
I know that you folks are looking at an ordinance that in the future will allow that,
but I think for the protection of the area that is being developed and for many of the
reasons that Mr. Bryan just mentioned, that the people who live in that area are entitled
to the protection that was voted at the time it was done, and that was to the developers
and their credibility, and really that's the reason I ended up voting for the project
because I had a (not clear) . . . credibility with the developers, that they would do what
they said they would do. I'm not implying that they are here requesting this change on
Their own, maybe it's come abut from different area. But I still think that the way the
project was started and allowed is the way it should be, and that is the septic system
should be in the field back behind the condominiums and that the effluent should not go
into the lake. I think we are entitled to protect the lake and because of the (not
clear). . . . The argument made that maybe one system is better than the other, but we're
not in the area of the lake where it does move swiftly, that these detergents and things
don't settle on the bottom of the lake, that they are indeed out (not clear) . . . .
I think that might be a different (not clear) . Based on where the project is,
what the developers said they would do, what the commissioners last year voted to do, I
think that's just the way it ought to be.
If you want to ask me any particular questions or anything concerning the vote last
year or the year before, I will be glad to respond to it. I just felt that as a person
who was instrumental in the project to begin with that I should come and give the intent
of how it was introduced and allowed at the inception of its approval.
HEDRICK: Thank you, Mr. Troutman. yes, Mr. Walser?
WALSER: I don't disagree with anything he has said concerning the basis, and I don't
want any implications or anybody to think for a minute that Heronwood is here because of
any attempt to mislead anybody. There is no question that at the time that it was
approved, the septic tanks were a part of what was presented to this board. The reason
was, quite honestly, that at the time we had engineering studies that told us that the
septic tanks were the way to go.
Since that time there has been (not clear) tens of thousands of dollars spent
that, going all the way to the state level, that have convinced the developers that, long
term, that septic tanks for 'che benefit of the whole project is not the proper way to go.
Now as I told you, earlier, and I'm telling you again from the standpoint of cost,
it's going to cost a lot more to put in a treatment plant than it's going to cost to put
in a septic tank. For operations and everything else. So this is not something that is
being done to save money and build a cheap type development. It is not the purpose
whatsoever. This is being modified based on the best information that is available. I
think if you see what's gone up there you will see that there hasn't been any cutting of
corners. It's not a cheap development. The buildings have got the rock face. You know,
pretty much like we've said, they're nice. I don't know how many of you have been up to
see them.
But at this time the best information that we have available is that the treatment
facility is the best route to go and that's why we're here. We're not trying to pull the "
wool over anybody's eyes.
Secondly, I would like to point out something just for the record that has been said
that I think we all need to keep in mind when we're talking about the island. The
agreement and the understanding is that there will be no PUD's or PRD's or anything else
on that island. However, I'm not going to stand here and agree that that island will
never be used. That, in effect, is saying that you can zone land for no use in Iredell
County, which I don't think any of us can do. We will say it will not ever be used as a
PRD. And certainly I have no plans for that island at this point. I don't think
Heronwood as such does, but it certainly is zoned for single family residences at this
time. There's nothing that will keep that from happening because that's the highest
zoning you can do.
We're here based on the best information that's available. If you say don't build a
treatment facility, then we'll go with septic tanks. That's what we have to do. But the
county. . . .