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Preliminary review of a proposed subdivision variance request brought some differing opinions about the plan from Orchard City town board members on April 11. The mayor and three trustees offered differing views.

The proposed Benson Brothers subdivision would split a single 3.79-acre parcel located at the intersection of Austin and Fairview roads into two parcels. Each parcel would have an existing large storage building on it. Dwight and Ed Benson are asking a variance from the town's requirement that domestic water be conveyed for the newly created lot.

Dwight Benson told the trustees that one of the buildings "for 40 or 45 years has always been a storage building." It has never had a domestic water tap and the Bensons don't foresee the need for one there, he said.

The storage building on the second lot does have a domestic water tap.

Mayor Don Suppes said, "My initial concern is with the variance." Granting a variance from the town's water policy could set a precedent, he explained, and noted the trustees had not yet discussed the proposal at a work session.

Dwight Benson countered, "This is different from the normal (residential) subdivision."

Trustee Jan Gage said that she wanted to talk with the town attorney about the variance request, and she wondered aloud whether other similar variances had in the past been granted by the town.

Trustee Jim Boyd pointed out that the town does have a variance provision in the town code for dealing with individual situations.

Trustee Gale Doudy said the entire water conveyance policy might need to be reconsidered.

Suppes announced that he had already scheduled a workshop session for new trustee orientation the following week and that the town's attorney would be present. The issue can be taken up at that time. Trustee action was postponed until the May 9 regular meeting.

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