Mike Salati, Sr., Boone County Planning, Development, Health and Sanitation, Updates County Zoning Ordinance, August 24, 2026

On the program today we are visiting with Mike Solani in Boone County planning development health and sanitation Good to have you back in the house. Thanks, Jim. Good to be here. Good morning Well, we've gotten a lot of a lot of different things to talk about but we're talking more about planning development and Not so much on health and sanitation this time. That's we covered that last time right yep some new regulations Come out board of supervisors past a new property line verification Requirement so we're just rolling that out and I wanted to get some information out to folks on that and and maybe addressed to some of the Misconceptions perhaps that are out there that I still hear all the time. Well, you don't need permits out in the county and things like that that aren't true and Folks get into some difficulties with yeah part of this The supervisor was that the supervisors that asked to have this tightened up because had you encountered some issues going on? yes, we had a new building that was on a very small lot and through whatever Indications you want to assign to it the builder made some mistakes in the location and it turned out to be in the wrong place and became the center of a neighborhood dispute and Ended up in courts and so they said well, we really need to Address this try to try to get it before this from happening Yeah And in a lot of it is a lot of people think they know where the property line is and it may or may not be accurate I know you know you get out there and you do surveys and all of those things too, right? Or if you look at GIS Which is not always real Yeah, and that becomes the issue. You know we we're so Well, we're thankful for technology and beacon and GIS and all of those things But we have to remember that they are just overlays on an aerial photo And so they can vary greatly at times and and maybe we put too much stock into trusting that And when it things get very close, that's where problems come in So part of it is not planning and zoning doesn't want to dictate this You just want to avoid encountering some of these problems, right, right? Yeah, and you're getting more rural I mean more rural development we're Lots out in the county rural farmsteads Rural lake rages, you know are very very highly sought after here in moon County now And I mean we're the bedroom community these days for Des Moines Grimes, you know Granger a lot of thing going Development going on in the south of the county and it's moving this way and even west for me so Yeah, lots going on so we're trying to stay up with You know some reasonable measures to make sure that we're doing what we're supposed to do now I'm guessing well some of it has to do and I would imagine you do have some Developers that are doing rural developments or expanding into boom County rural development areas Probably not so much them. They probably have it pretty well laid out. I'm thinking right and they're used to you know build in an areas with lots of regulations laying out things with the surveyor making sure that you know the the locations of buildings are in the right spot and it's really more of The small developer the small homeowner that's building his own projects and we have a lot of that going on I'm really surprised how many People undertake building their own house these days and so trying to just you know Keep everybody on an even plane and and make sure that we're following the regulations that we have So let's talk a little bit about again part of this is the property lines and getting that information out of permitting Okay, right, so let's the misconception about permitting. Yes permits are required Doesn't mean we're I mean we're not after you But permits are required so we know and you might be able to oh gosh, I'm thinking Some areas. Well, I know some of these have happened in the past where people are looking to do Building a residence in more of a pretty rural area and all of a sudden they got no fire protection Right, they can't you can't get a fire truck in something like that and and that really you know a couple of years ago That became kind of came to a head With you know houses going further back and further back, you know even to two three hundred feet off of the road and With very small driveways that may or may not have gravel on them that type of thing or bridges Yeah bridges over swales and things exactly and that was one of the things that you know When you have an 80 ton fire truck trying to cross Something that's not made for that that creates a problem and so that's really where the discussion started even that long ago And now has moved into you know, of course a year or so ago They board of supervisors passed the fire and emergency services access because there are regulations at the state level for that in the state fire code And so we recognize that locally and said hey you have to meet these regulations And so that just provides you know some awareness and now this of course You know there there's always Well You know, there's one that ruins it for everybody Yeah, it's not like it's a massive issue We I'm guessing most people are pretty familiar with because that your your permitting system is so easy. Yeah, it's all online It's electronic. It's done online You know, the people that want to do it right are not the ones we have issues with it's there's an occasional one that puts it on paper right and then doesn't follow it or Decides well those regulations are stupid and I'm not gonna follow those and just do what they want And so there wasn't really a follow-up mechanism to that. Okay, so this is kind of that mechanism Okay, so it's gonna prevent things from Being done wrong up front and then we're kind of ensuring that where you are building is what you said you're gonna do So part of this is also Means that your office is gonna have to step up and and go out and do some check We've got to go out and do inspections on these now and so and what the requirement is now is the board has Past is that any time a building is proposed Within two times the required setback distance Then you have to either Expose the property corners so we can verify and then check the measurements or if there aren't property corners set You have to have a survey or set them So that it can be verified So and it's going to require an inspection to do that before the permit will be issued For that particular structure. So so it is involving a little bit of work Hopefully, you know where that's the whole purpose trying to get this information out so people can plan for it You know, we're getting late in the construction season now, but Making folks aware. What's those that are planning might be planning ahead? This is a good time because if you are starting to plan ahead look at what you're gonna do and then Again check the permitting. It can be simple. Yeah, it doesn't have to be a huge Issue to get this done. Hopefully, you know folks with the closer lots and things Are already planning that it just being reasonable and then we'll just verify it make sure it's done, right? And again, there are those that yes if you're within that distance and stuff We do have the zoning board of adjustment again variances can be granted, right? It's it it's Does they do it in cities they can do it out in the county, too, right? Yeah, and we do You know our board is quite active in things You know the the state passed some new regulations actually for variances last year in the last legislative session That changed the way variances are looked at and they they reduce the standards even for that from unnecessary difficulty or unnecessary hardship to practical difficulties and so it made the standard a little bit less But the the big thing is it can't be a self-created hardship So you can't do something by mistake and then say oh well now I need a variance It doesn't work like that and so the state law has Become very clear on that so they've tightened they've tightened up that part in some aspect So again to avoid getting yourself in a bind you want to right have somebody come and double-check and make sure right right and just make Sure everything's Copacetic according to the ordinance and then everybody's happy so really I mean we already had A lot of the things in the ordinance, but we didn't have that follow-up inspection I'm guessing is probably the new big thing exactly. Yep, that's exactly it We've already we've always had setbacks from the very first zoning ordinance that they have not changed the requirements That you know for the distances from property lines are still exactly the same It's just now requiring an inspection to be done to make sure you're meeting those So not adding much there. It's just a little bit and again like I said all the permitting is online Right. It's easy enough to do right and it works very very well You know our permitting I think folks are well aware of that now. It's easy to get in there Get things done and for folks that have problems we can walk walk them even through it over the phone So it's it's very effective. I think to get the process, you know going and Done easy and it's accessible One of the others that you'd kind of been looking at this is more on the health and sanitation side But again, it has to do with some of this work that's going on out there and that is Unseptic systems and stuff and you do have a requirement to go out and check. Oh, yeah I mean that is a state law. Yep inspections are required in fact the state viola just passed finally a revision to the the state sanitary code and There are some new requirements some things that have been Reconfigured and so there's kind of a new code and we're all kind of adjusting to that now and trying to get used to that so that's finally rolled out and Yep, so things are being updated. It's it's not just a your grandfather's county anymore Yeah, one of the one of the things that I know like on the septic side of things to you would Some people were getting misinformation about how to construct in their systems and things like that You guys have all the information and you're you're you will gladly Give them whatever evasion or whatever help that they I know you've worked with a couple of different people to say No, this might be a new better way for you to try and do this. Right, right, right and you know the DMAC the morning air community college spends a lot of effort and time Training septic contractors and so that there's another association to the Iowa on-site wastewater association again professional group that Is is there to improve the the bar raise the bar for Contractors and their knowledge and and things and so there's a lot of effort that goes into that You know so much is changing rapidly these days with the economy being what it is And there's a lot of turnover on county personnel across the state in the sanitary inside So, you know, you put all things together and in the experience, you know Is not where it used to be sure in a lot of areas. So we're very fortunate You know, I've had to add for a while. It's been here for five years now Yeah, and doing a great job for us and and really helping folks out Well, we keep again not keep moving ahead with it again because the development and man, you'd you like that I mean, you know, we like to see the development. We'd like to also see people avoiding getting into a buying, right? That's exactly it. Yeah, and that's part probably more than anything a lot of people going oh zoning is this you just want to control Yeah, not really you want to avoid problems is probably an even bigger aspect. Well, you know it Is so much today is relational between the neighbors, you know, and it's this property You know when when the average size of the property was 30 acres It was a whole different ballgame From, you know, lots now being able to be down to one acre in size And so with things so much closer, you know, the neighbors are more involved they're concerned what's happening around them and You know, there's a lot of effects that we never used to have to worry about with Well, you used to and one of the things and I've seen more of it lately The major subdivision minor subdivision you're seeing more people that do have You know 25 30 acres and they are deciding okay Well, I'm going to break it up into a couple of smaller areas and you know, we can have five acres of piece whatever right, you know, right So minor subdivisions and again, this is where sometimes people get into a bind if they're Not paying attention. So most of them are pretty I At least most of the people I've seen are coming right to you and saying how can I do this and avoid running into a problem, right? Right, and it it puts, you know, those lots are highly sought after in the county There's a lot of real estate folks that are very actively pursuing, you know Those type of properties for clients that are looking to get a little bit out in the field Well, the development side of that is great, but it also puts pressure on our farm Community because now we have a lot more people out in the rural areas and you know, that creates its own Brand of concerns for the right to farm and in those type of things So yeah, and then you know the pressure on our gravel roads and all of those engineering things The roads department needs to be involved with it Yeah, how many are accesses are we going to have on that road? Water water distribution because we do have some our wells, but there's a quite a bit that are more and more provided by Either Xenia or other rural water sources, right, right? So all of those things together. It's really You know, it's it's really we're moving into Quite a bit of bedroom type community. They seem to say it is Well, they keep building so yeah, they keep coming we know that one of the other things the two again and Seems like forever ago. We were doing this with the comprehensive plan But again that does have areas where we are seeing development and in residential development And I mean the plan did kind of target those Specific areas, but it's not like a mandate, right, right. Yeah, I mean it's flexible Yeah, the comprehensive plan, you know, it's designed to be visionary if you will and to try and guess What's gonna happen? For the next 20 years in Boone County and then encourage, you know, organized development in the areas where it seems most appropriate And a lot of that is because then your infrastructure is in place, right? Yes, yeah, yeah infrastructure your roads sewer, you know, and and that you know a year or two ago That became one of the big issues not having water availability You know, we have a lot of commercial interest especially going to the east side of the county and But the difficulty with that is we didn't have water infrastructure readily available And so, you know, that puts pressure on and and there's not really money out there in the from the county side to just go And build all these things to encourage development So it has to be development driven and then, you know, that creates its own brand of issues A lot of additional cost and how we're gonna do that and the supervisors have a big job. Yeah, no doubt And your job's getting bigger The things that we're talking about today. So most recently, yeah, the supervisors did again the Ordinance that was changed really is something that they had I mean because I remember when this came up and you were encountering a couple of different people We're having some issues with the setbacks and how close they were and and we've had this before where you've encountered properties where You know, they just Were on the property line. They just didn't realize they thought they were far enough off it and no Unfortunately, you're right on it, right and and that creates a whole again the issues with neighbors, right, right? Yep. So so just being proactive now and you know Verifying what's supposed to be there that actually occurs. Yeah, so the process of somebody's looking now What's your suggestion and how to approach it? Do they do they contact you right away? Do they start taking a look at their plans? Do they check the ordinance? Do they find out what's new? What's updated? What do I need to do? Yeah, so most of it is dealt with through our permitting process and you know, we've incorporated these requirements into it into the procedures for getting a permit and So, you know, the again the setbacks have not changed. Those are still the same It's just now we need to verify it So we're just adding a step or two to say this is what's proposed All right now show us where your property corners are so we can measure and just make sure that that is actually correct And then if they're not there if you don't have properties take set then you have to have a survey or set them That's the the biggest change if you will Is if there's not property corners so we can verify it and we've incorporated that into the permit process now So it happens automatically the regulations are all out there if folks have questions as always they can contact us The information is available online. They can stop in the office They can give a call and we'll be glad to guide them through that process I'm gonna I'm going with the position that it's more protection for somebody who is looking to do something Just to make sure they don't get into a bind, right? Yeah protects everybody all the way around the neighbors are happy that we're conforming and so is the the person that's building He knows his stuff is going to be Correct and you know and then everybody's happy. All right How many permits have you had this this year? I'm guessing quite a few we are I should have looked up the numbers. I believe we are over a hundred a hundred six eight something like that so far this year and Of course, this regulation was just past this past week So we're just rolling this out now and it's in the permitting process now It's been upgraded and and rolled out so it's it's active right now And same for like on the septics and things like that I know the people that have that have been using the permitting it'll love it I think it's great right but again This will be a little new wrinkle in there But it might require you to have a next added step of having somebody come out and just take a look at it and just see You're to avoid having a problem right right just to verify that everything is what we think it is And so it should be you know if it if it rolls like we expect it should be fairly seamless And we'll be able to to just melt right in that's our goal. We don't want to have any problem, right, right? Lots going on, you know in the rest of the department as well, you know, of course the the big news these days is the Cancer concerns and so we're selling a lot of radon kits still it is still a Good time to test if you have closed house conditions. So lots of tests going out and folks finding quite honestly Very high levels in some areas. So we were encouraging the testing. There is a new Program that's come out by the state. In fact, it should be up and running by the end of the month There is some state money that's been released to provide free Radon test kits. In fact, I think statewide if I recall correctly about 30,000 test kits and there's also the last information I seen they are putting some money together to help mitigate Up to 500 homes statewide. So States becoming very proactive in that as well and I'm thinking again You probably throw out that reminder when someone is looking at building a new residence out there go with a passive system Yeah, right on less less costly and Get it get it done right away. Yes. Yeah, and I know our board of health has been addressing some of those issues as well and You know trying to encourage folks to To be proactive there. Yeah, well, it's the test kits back in the day We had free ones to give away now it nominal fee. You're by the way You guys don't make money on it. No, it's just the cost of the kit Right and then any help that they need and getting it in and again It's all information that's given to them if they want to share it with you. That's right Yeah, we don't we do not get any of the results back directly unless somebody shares it with us. So Just what they tell us so have we seen more of our local contractors looking to do or get some mitigation Expertise because I know for a while we had some but it kind of went away because people were finding out It's not inexpensive to come back in mitigate, right, right I'm not aware of any newer local contractors and doing it. There's quite a few I mean the the area of folks that do work kind of stretches from Ames to Ankeny to You know, well west and north of Fort Dodge kind of the contractors that kind of cover this area and even to Des Moines There's some folks that are doing systems out here But you know, certainly there's room for others Unfortunately our very local contractor decided to take a different route and isn't doing those anymore. So Well, we have that I wanted to ask you about well-testing because I know you got more money folks They got money. Yeah And we we still it's for the last 20 years that I've been with Boone County Off and on we have tried our best to spend all the money that's allocated to the county for well testing and remediation and plugging and We've not done it yet Now Ed has come as close as we ever have But still haven't quite got there. So but people are very active, you know, this whole cancer concern and radon even in water radon can be in water as well and So folks are you know, looking at things with this economy and in making sure their wells are up to snuff And we're finding a lot of difficulties now I don't know if it's because of the dryness or because of the wetness and all the rain But it seems that a lot of the well tests lately have been coming back with very very Different parameters than we normally see so very high Sulfates in several tests. I mean to the hundreds which you know sulfates is not a It's not a poison or anything like that. It's gonna make you sick But if you're not used to drinking that water it can create some digestive problems and things so so folks dealing with that We've done quite a bit. We can reimburse for chlorination of Wells that show bacterial Contamination there is money out there to help plug abandoned wells and that's so important Because those wells that still exist that aren't being used are contoured directly into the aquifer You know anything that's at surface level can go straight to the aquifer and contaminate huge areas. So The DNR has since 1990 required abandoned wells to be plugged, but there's still lots of them out there So we're encouraging folks to take care of those with the office on the health and sanitation side can help you out with that, right? So and again, it would like anything else with they have questions You guys are there to answer you'll answer them and help them any way you can right? Yeah The information is readily available. We're very good at getting getting that stuff out to people that are searching Mike Salati Boone County Planning Development and Health and Sanitation on our program. Thanks for joining us. Thanks, Jim