There is a one-day session on October 22 in the village of Empire where expert speakers will address the relationship between sound village design and community septic sewer services.

“You can learn how to provide your village, small town, or neighborhood with an affordable community septic sewer system,” says Leelanau County Planning Director Trudy Galla, who notes “this session is open to anyone across the state.” 

Why Empire to host the conference? Jay Hoekstra, who is accredited through the Congress of New Urbanism and is a member of its Michigan Chapter, shares that the village of Empire has an excellent water system but like many old settlements has no public sewer. “In 2001 Quercus Alba LLC started building an extension of Empire village which was about five blocks of traditionally designed, village-sized lots with sidewalks, alleys, and narrow streets. The 81 lots [with 126 allowed dwellings, including granny flats and coach houses] of the “New Neighborhood” share a community septic sewer system that makes a neighborhood in walking distance to the heart of the village possible.”

Guest speakers include planners and architects who will show how village design can be enhanced, legal experts will outline zoning changes to support a system, EGLE staff will share current state standards and guidelines, and the Michigan State Land Bank Director will outline possible financing arrangements.

“Village Design and Community Septic Systems,” is an in-person session, held October 22, from 9:30am to 4:30pm. It begins at Empire Township Hall and will include a walking tour of the New Neighborhood. Cost is $45. Registration can be found here.