Council allows private sewer laterals for 600 North duplex project with recorded agreements

The Milford City Council voted to allow property owners building two duplexes on 600 North to run private sewer laterals across their lots to the city's main at 300 South, provided the owners execute and record a utility easement, maintenance agreement and reciprocal access agreement.

A developer presenting the project said the plan would divide two duplex structures into separate laterals to enable future subdivision and individual ownership. The presenter argued the city's earlier suggestion to run an 8-inch main in the alley would be “way overkill” and could add roughly $80,000 to the project. The presenter also said the planned 4-inch laterals had adequate capacity: “Total, we think this is about 74 total DFCs,” they said, citing development flow counts and asserting a 4-inch line could serve many more units.

City staff reminded the council that code requires a manhole when runs exceed 150 feet and pointed to code section 15.01.010 about extending mains for future connections. Staff recommended recorded agreements so future councils would understand ownership and maintenance responsibilities. The council’s motion, made by Russell and seconded by Scott, authorized the owners to run two laterals—one serving the east side of one building and one serving the west side of the other—tying into the main at 300 South, with the agreements to be drafted by city staff. The motion carried.

Council members discussed sidewalk alignment and frontage requirements separately; staff said lot-size and frontage rules (6,000 sq ft noted for lot splits) still apply and that subdivision committee review could be waived in favor of returning directly to council via a development agreement if the council chooses. The council instructed staff to draft the easement and maintenance documents and return the agreement for signatures.