Afton council approves two plats, grants variance for undersized septic lot

The Afton Town Council authorized two simple subdivisions on Dec. 12 and approved a variance to allow an existing septic system on an undersized lot.

Mayor Joel Neuenschwander excused himself for a land-use item involving property owned by Joel and Julia Neuenschwander. Council Member Jason C. Inskeep presided as Mayor Pro Tem for that agenda item. Surveyor Marlowe Scherbel presented a simple subdivision application to divide the NW1/4NE1/4 of Section 36 into two lots: Lot 1 (the existing house and approximately one acre) and Lot 2 (the remaining acreage). The re‑zone portion of the application was withdrawn, and the Planning & Zoning Board approved the simple subdivision and recommended a variance to allow the existing conventional septic to remain on Lot 1, which is smaller than the two-acre standard required for separate septic systems. Council Member Rick Merritt moved and Council Member Tom Davis seconded a motion authorizing Mayor Pro Tem Inskeep to sign the plat and to approve the variance; the motion carried.

Separately, the council approved a simple subdivision submitted by Surveyor Scherbel on behalf of the Town of Afton and SVP, LLC to adjust property lines and dedicate part of the west alley in Block 19 of the Original Townsite. Planning & Zoning approved the application; Council Member Inskeep moved to authorize Mayor Neuenschwander to sign the plat, seconded by Council Member Merritt, and the motion carried.

The minutes record that the council voted to authorize signatures and approve the variance; no numerical roll-call tallies were included in the minutes.