Yesterday we traveled to Sky Ridge Retreats to meet with Haley from the Menifee County Health Department in order to see if I can have a septic system in Lot 8. Spoiler alert: I can - which is great news!
When we arrived, we met up with the new owner of Lot 2. He was also having his lot tested for septic. We watched as Scott from Amburgey Excavating dug a trench about four feet deep so Haley could walk down into the hole and play with the dirt. I'm sure what she was doing was very scientific, but from our point of view, she was playing with the dirt. She took notes, measured depths, and used a pocket knife to dig into the side of the trench. She did her best to explain to us what she was looking for and why certain types of soil were good for septic systems and other types were not. We nodded and tried to understand what she was saying, but ultimately we were waiting for her to give the thumbs up. The first location she checked wasn't the best, so she had Scott dig a hole a few feet away and repeat the process. Success! The other short-term vacation rental owner could put septic in the second spot on Lot 2.
We then drove to my lot and Scott and Haley repeated the process. It was fun to explain to them where I wanted to build my treehouse and what my big plans and dreams were. They were both very excited about my ideas and wished me the best. Haley looked around my lot and picked what she thought might be a good spot for the septic system. It was on the side of a steep slope, and I had to turn my back as Scott precariously drove his excavator down the slope and dug the trench. Yikes - this dude is crazy! Haley walked down into the hole did her scientific dirt-playing routine, and declared that this was an excellent spot for a septic system. She then climbed back out and found a spot at the Sky Ridge Overlook to sit and finish her paperwork.
By the way, Haley is delightful! She is as cute as a button, smart as a whip, and so down to earth! She does things in a way that just makes sense. One of the forms she filled out was the Onsite Sewage Disposal Systems Application for Site Evaluation. She explained to me that in some counties, they require lot owners to fill the application out, submit it, and then wait ten days to have the evaluation. She said that just didn't make sense to her. She just had us call to make the appointment and then filled the application out onsite. It was so much easier, and she just didn't see the point of making folks wait ten days. The other form she filled out was the Onsite Sewage Disposal Systems Site Evaluation. This form has all the information for the builders who will be putting the septic system in. She also provided me with a Notice of Release for Temporary Electrical Service sticker for the electrical service panel. The best part about Haley was the fact that she tried to find the best and most cost-effective solution for a septic system for each of us. The first spot she looked at on Lot 2 could have worked, but it would have required things that would be an extra expense and more complicated than necessary, so she looked elsewhere. It would have been quicker to just go with what was easiest for her and make the owner take on the extra expense and work, but she said she does things for folks the way she would want them to be done for her. So she went the extra mile to make sure things were as cost-effective and easy as possible for the lot owners.
It was a great day, with a great outcome for everyone involved.
I will be heading down again soon to meet with a few builders and to see some of the short-term vacation rentals they've already completed. I also need to do some work to find a lender to help me fund this project.
By the way, here is another picture of some of the amazing features of Lot 8 aka Robyn's Nest.
Comments