The Clearwater Orderly Annexation Area Joint Planning Board Monday approved an expansion of a conditional use permit (CUP) for Tri-County Lumber to build a 48’x80’ addition to an existing building on Co. Rd. 75 in Clearwater Twp.

 

The addition will include a new showroom, five new offices and a unisex bathroom, plus some remodeling of existing space.

 

The request went before the  joint planning board because the property lies within the orderly annexation area.

 

The property was rezoned in 2000 and approved for a lumber yard. In 2002, Tri-County applied for a CUP to add another storage building. That CUP was amended in 2006 to add another building.

 

Members of the board had only one issue with Monday’s request - the septic system. The applicant is proposing installing a new septic system along with the building addition.

 

Under the existing orderly annexation agreement between the City of Clearwater and Clearwater Twp., three things could trigger annexation: A property could be annexed if the septic system fails; if the applicant petitions for annexation or if a property is surrounded by properties within city limits.

 

Board Member Pete Edmonson asked if adding the new septic system is one of those triggers.

 

Sean Riley, administrator of the joint planning board, said it is only a trigger if the system can’t be replaced.

 

“If there is an issue with the septic system and they can’t correct it on site, that’s when we look at annexing,” he said.

 

The annexation agreement says annexation can take place if there is an inability by the owner to install a replacement septic system under existing ordinances and state law.

 

Riley said an example would be small lakeshore lots where an old cesspool fails and there are no upgrade options.

 

“That’s often when the city would come in annex it and provide services,” he said. “Or an old commercial business district that has outgrown its on-site septic capabilities.”

 

In Tri-County’s case, the new septic is being proposed because the extension is being built on top of the existing septic system.

 

“In this case, there are acres of land to put in a drainfield and tanks,” said Riley. “They’re reproducing what they’ve already been allowed to do.”

 

Jason Hartopf of Tri-County said they might amend the plans to shift the building to the east so it doesn’t interfere with the existing septic system. That would also reduce the total square footage of the extension.

 

In either case, said Riley, there are no issues with setbacks. The applicant would just have to get building permits for the construction.

 

One other issue was drainage. Board Member Kris Crandall asked whether the new construction would alter the draining on site.

 

Hartopf said all the water would still drain into an existing holding pond.

 

Members Crandall, Edmonson and John Notch voted to approve the CUP. Members Sharon Lee and Scott Miller were not present.

 

The Clearwater Town Board had already recommended approval of the CUP at its September meeting.