Falcon Estates Information

Septic Sewer Events week of 12 Jul 10

This week (12-16 Jul 10), the Grants at the SW corner of Ross and Shrider (East side FE), had their septic “fail”.  They contacted a Contractor to put in a new leech field, etc.  The County refused the permit request and told them they were within 392 feet of the nearest City Sewer main (measured from intersection of Gracio/Shirder to their Shrider driveway entrance – they have and entrance on Ross also, have a Ross Address, and the water comes in off Ross) and had to connect.  The cost of going on City Sewer is estimated at $45 to $60, 000.  There was a meeting Wed night with other neighbors and the City Utilities to discuss.  City Utilities was adamant they would have to go on City Sewer, and bear all the cost if no other neighbors would go on with them.  The Grants can’t afford this expense and have a problem (can’t flush, shower or do laundry) that needs fixed now.  The City has been less than helpful.

 

We are looking at asking for a variance, talking to a lawyer (maybe HOA can help with fees), and looking at other ways to help our FE neighbor.  Any suggestions?

 

The impact to FE is if the sewer main is brought up Shrider to Ross, many more of us will be within 4oo ft of the main and will be forced on the sewer if our septic fails.  We had several meetings last year regarding City Sewer and most did not want the cost of going on City Sewer – we also discussed the less expensive alternative of the pump system vs he gravity feed system (Tom         McLaughlin).

 

As of Friday, 16 July, the City had relented and approved the permit for the leech field installation....The Grants will not have to hook up to the City Sewer.  Apparently, the City has developed a new master plan for City Sewer in FE that will essentially have the main on Copley with feeders on the north/south roads.  The Brd is working to get more info on this and to determine the impact.

Comments generated by the e-mail re the Grant's situation vis-a-vis septic/sewer:

From: Dr. Richard Price

These are some of the consequences imposed on us all by the fools that voted to be annexed into the city !  It's a case of the chickens coming home to roost.  Maybe we can petition to be ''deannexed'' .Thats exactly why i sued the city during the ''Falcon's Landing" fiasco, in order to get a variance for a new leaching field in the event it failed(which it hasn't).  The lawsuit cost me $12 K.  I sued under the "idea" that the ''developers "of Falcon 's Landing, should not be enriched at the expense of adjacent landowner's (within the 400 ft. limits).  In other words "we" should NOT sustain a $50,000 hickey (by virtue of a sewer lien on our property)  in the event our sewer failed...(which they all will eventually),  just so the city can get more tax money and the developers get richer.    

 

 

FROM: Steve Skarin, 7191 Ross Dr

I think we should do something to help the Grants (and anyone else who may end up in this situation.  It isn't fair that one homeowner should have to bear the cost of the common pipe line.  The city should have an alternative solution to paying for the line.

 

FROM: John Bystroff, 1301 Collins

For this household in FE-West, we agree with the HOA taking up the cause, to include support for a lawyer. Sounds like an issue that only as a community can we individually afford. Our HOA is our insurance policy against city rules and rule changes / charges.  We are against connecting to city sewer.

 

FROM: Kathleen Ordway

A guy over on the west side had a leech field installed about 9 months ago with no problems.  I do not believe he's within the designated 500 feet though.

FROM: Terry Jackson

 My husband and I live on the SE corner of Bell and Copely. We have worried about our septic system failing, too. So far we are OK. It would be nice to either do a neighborhood effort to get on city sewer or have a variance.

 

FROM: Matt Kasper

I put in a new leech field in January when my existing field failed.  All I did was say a prayer, cross my fingers and go to El Paso County and request a major repair permit.  The county representative said that city said it was close but for some reason they agreed to allow the permit.  I think it was because I was going to have to dig up Bell from the Bell/Fuller intersection to the Bell/Chapel Hill Dr. intersection which would have closed Bell down for a week.  With the Woodmen construction I think closing Bell for a week to one lane was not a viable option.  Maybe Woodmen construction was a blessing in disguise because I was looking at 50K to 75K at a minimum from what I was told by contractors.  That would have been a non-starter for me and their did not seem to be any interest in a joint venture because of the cost.  I do know of two other permits that have been granted for repairs or tank additions in the past year.  I think??? they just did septic work on that house on the NE corner of Woodmen and Union a couple weeks ago also.  I have seen coyotes up in the Shrider and Stension area plus either coyote or fox have carried off my pocket gofer traps with fresh catch in them.  I now a stake and tether to each.  I have caught a dozen of the critters in the past two months.  P.S.  True or False.  When FE was annexed the city said they would participate in doing the sewer line but no one in FE ever got that in writing and the city disavows ever agreeing to anything. The person I bought the house from was under the impression that there would be city participation if it ever came to that. 

 

FROM: George Schimmack

One thought is to retain an attorney for the Grants and perhaps the FE assist the Grants in paying for an attorney. Unfortunately that will set precedence, there will be other septic systems that will fail and homeowners will look for assistance also from FE. I vote no on this thought unless the variance applies to all FE1, 2 and 3 homeowners on septic systems…I don’t know if this fair for the FE that are on city sewer.  Another thought would be that all FE3 homeowners (not currently on city sewer in FE 3) go on city sewer. The benefit would be that the cost would be spread over many homeowners.  Sooner or later all septic systems are going to fail. Another benefit being on city sewer would help the sale of homes in FE3. It is pay now or later. I learned in 1979 from the Colorado Health Dept. that Colorado soil is not good soil for septic systems.

 

FROM: Deborah Jordan

The key words I have discovered is "repair".  Is there no way to repair instead of new?  I will be in the same position as the grants if mine fails, but am too far away to help them in any way.  They may try talking to other companies to get their take... Do you know who they called?  Deborah

 

FROM: Brian Uebelhoer

Would seem to me that getting a lawyer to get a definite compromise with the city now is in the best interest of all so when other neighbors systems fail there is already an agreement in place and not another long delay for a solution. Get the lawyer and get it done know would make sense to me.