Grundy County Board: Ordinance amends water, sewer requirements

An ordinance amending portions of the Grundy County Health Department code concerning water and sewer system requirements was approved by the county board Tuesday, following a short public hearing. The Grundy County Board held the hearing at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, prior to the regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. During the seven-minute public hearing, Jim Leonard, director of Environmental Health for the Grundy County Health Department, explained changes in requirements for septic systems. Specifically, the changes, which were approved during the regular portion of the county board meeting, regulate trenches which receive any discharge from a septic system. Previously the ordinance simply said “sand filter and aerobic systems shall have seepage trenches installed to help absorb the affluent.” The purpose of the trenches is to keep phosphates and nitrates from entering streams. Under the changes specific requirements for the trenches are outlined. The trench shall be installed no more than 36 inches below the surface of the ground, it shall have a minimum of 12 inches of gravel and will have a minimum cover of six inches. The trench must be designed at three gallons per square foot of trench based on the daily flow of the system. Leonard explained the effluent has already undergone aerobic treatment, filtering and disinfecting, so it is considered the cleanest type of effluent released. "This is common practice in Will County and proposed for the new state code so we are taking good things from both," Leonard said. In another change which was approved, all permits for water and sewer systems will now expire after one year. A written request for an extension can be filed. Variances, where full compliance with the ordinance is not practical, can be granted by the Environmental Health Director.

Zoning In zoning matters, the board took no action on a conditional permitted use to allow Access Ag of Mazon to add 2.23 acres to the east boundary of their existing location along Grand Ridge Road, west of Mazon. A conditional permitted use to allow a bed and breakfast in the agriculture-residential zoning district was approved. Charles and Linda Herman, 10940 S. Dwight Road, requested the conditional permitted use. Located on 3 1/2 acres at Scully and Dwight Roads, additional landscaping was required. A conditional permitted use request from Grundy County was placed on file. This would allow the construction of the new highway department on 14.5 acres zoned for agriculture, located at Illinois 47 and 113. Land Use Director Heidi Miller said with the planned landscaping, detention pond and other features, this will be a very green development. A conditional permitted use to allow a stable on 40 acres at 343 Kinsman Road in Vienna Township was placed on file. Plans call for a home, stable and hay building. Proposed conditions include a limit of 30 horses, closing by 9 p.m. daily and no rodeos or racing A resolution setting pay for election judges in November was approved. Base pay will be $140, plus $40 for those who attend the school, $10 for ballot pickup and $25 for ballot return. John Almer abstained on the vote. No action was taken on an ordinance to expand the existing Ottawa Enterprise Zone to aid the Grande Ridge Energy Farm. The 1986 Enterprise Zone extends from Ottawa east into Grundy County and covers about 12.35 miles. Under the proposal about one-half square mile, contiguous to the enterprise zone, would be added.

Closed session Following a 35-minute closed session the board acted on three motions. Board members agreed to remove an unspecified parcel of land from the list for the September tax sale. The city of Morris has indicated it would ask that the five acres on the west side of the Federal Paperboard property be removed from the tax sale list. The city has said it would be interested in buying the property. The board agreed to extend the date for the closing on real estate. No one would confirm that this involved the Save-A-Lot store. The board also agreed to hire attorney James Sotos to be involved in a federal lawsuit concerning the confiscation of vehicles in drug cases.

Deputy Lonnie Harvey Lonnie Harvey of the Grundy County Sheriff's Department was recognized by the board. Board member Ken Iverson said Harvey is also a sergeant in the National Guard, he has been called to active duty at the end of August and will be going to Afghanistan. Harvey will serve about 13 months. Sheriff Terry Marketti said of Deputy Harvey, "he is very dedicated to the sheriff's department and to his country. We are very proud of him." In other business, the board selected a new list of petit jurors. All board members attended Tuesday's meeting.