Septic repair at Canongate condos split commissioners; approval contingent on Board of Health remains unresolved

The Kingsville Conservation Commission considered a proposal on June 23 to replace a failed septic system at 15–18 Canongate Road that would serve the condominium buildings as a repair designed for 60 bedrooms.

John Riley of Hancock Associates presented a detailed repair plan showing leaching chambers in existing footprints and proposed additional tanks and a pump chamber. He said the current design follows a 60‑bedroom design completed in 2020.

Board members and public participants raised two recurring concerns: whether the homeowners association and property manager have accurately reported the current bedroom count, and whether any change to the number of bedrooms would convert the repair into a new construction project requiring a Notice of Intent (NOI) and additional review. "If there are additional bedrooms and the HOA ... wants that incorporated into the septic design, then it's new construction," a commissioner said.

Commissioners discussed an approach to conditionally approve the plan subject to final Board of Health approval and an explicit requirement that any changes to the plan would return the matter to the Conservation Commission. A motion to approve the proposed plan "contingent on the approval of the Board of Health" was made and seconded, but the roll call produced a 4–4 tie. With no majority in favor, the motion failed to carry and the hearing was continued to July 14.

"If it's more than 60, then it's starting to scratch. ... If they change all, then there has to be an NOI," one commissioner said, summarizing the statutory threshold that would trigger a different permitting path. The commission requested that the applicant coordinate closely with the Board of Health and submit any finalized plans and the Board of Health outcome before the next hearing.

The Commission deferred final action pending Board of Health review and confirmation of the development/HOA occupancy details.