“We’re not asking for well approval,” noted Mr. Kramer.

“We’re not asking for well approval,” noted Mr. Kramer. “We're simply asking if the distance between the well and the septic field meets today’s standards."

Mr. Hur asked the BZA members to take along the pollution pack and explain its function to Mr. Lockhart. In addition, he asked that they check with the sanitarian regarding the adequacy of the existing septic system and “consider waiving the contingency of an actual perc test if he says this is fine.”

Regarding the BZA’s condition for a percolation test as reassurance on the septic field approval, Mr. Gottlieb maintained that the BZA is “second guessing (the Health Department) . . . telling them how to do their job.”

Mr. Kramer disagreed, recalling that county soil maps presented at the BZA’s public hearing on Mr. Hur’s variance showed soil types in Rappahannock Lakes predominantly rated poor to fair for septic fields.

Meeting with Mr. Lockhart fails to resolve impasse

Chairman Lee Bird, Mr. Zindel. and Mr. McCarthy met with Mr. Lockhart at his office last Thursday morning. According to a memo signed by Mr. Bird, the sanitarian confirmed the septic field approval, saying that preliminary examination of the soil in the immediate area indicated that a perc test would be successful.

Mr. Lockhart also said that the pollution pack, when coupled with grouting, would convert the existing well to a Class II well, which could be located not less than 50 feet from the nearest septic system.

“However, since the Health Department had previously approved a public water system for Rappahannock Lakes, it had no authority to approve any wells in the area, and would not do so in this instance as long as that approval remains in effect,” Mr. Bird reported the sanitarian as saying.

Based on Mr. Lockhart’s assertion, the BZA chairman noted that Mr. Thorne, the owner of Lot #3, has two options:

• Seek to extend the existing public water system to his lots, making such improvements as may be necessary to meet Health Department requirements.

• Petition the Health Department