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Posted on Tue, Jul 19, 2011 : 5:58 a.m.

Ann Arbor officials agree to extend city sewer service to sausage company located in township island

By Ryan J. Stanton

There's an old saying that there are two things you never want to watch being made: sausage and legislation. So what about legislation for sausage?

The Ann Arbor City Council agreed Monday night to help a local sausage-making company stuck in a state of zoning limbo after the owners rented property in a township island.

The council voted 10-0 on a resolution to supply sanitary sewer service outside the city limits to 1643 S. State St., which is on an island of Ann Arbor Township land surrounded by the city.

That will make it possible for Walt Hansen and Hannah Cheadle, who recently relocated to Ann Arbor from New York City, to operate Biercamp Artisan Sausage and Jerky.

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Hannah Cheadle and Walt Hansen have struggled through zoning issues as they work toward opening their new Ann Arbor business, an artisan sausage and jerky shop in the Old World tradition.

Janet Miller | For AnnArbor.com

This past winter, they rented 1,400 square feet of space at 1643 S. State St. — next to The Produce Station — and were looking at an April 15 opening date.

But the couple hit hurdle after hurdle, first with a directive to hook up with the city’s water and sewer system, then zoning issues that would limit their retail floor space, and then a question on whether they will be able to sell craft beer and wine as they had planned.

Hooking up to city water and sewer usually requires annexation, and annexation requires rezoning, city officials told AnnArbor.com last month.

The property owner filled for annexation in May. City staff and the property owner have been working since to rezone and annex the property into the city.

Council Member Sabra Briere, D-1st Ward, thanked city staff Monday night for what she considered to be a creative solution until rezoning and annexation is done.

It was discovered that the city already approved city water service for the property in 1937. But in 1985 the city reconstructed water main and an improvement charge was due.

"We are unable to locate a water agreement for that water service, nor find record of payment of the water improvement charge," Beverly Selvig, a public services management assistant, wrote in a memo to council members.

"Therefore, we requested the owner submit both water and sanitary sewer agreements," she said. "The water, sanitary sewer, and sidewalk improvement charges for this property were paid in full, along with the $40 fee per outside city service agreement to cover the costs for recording the documents at the Washtenaw County Register of Deeds."

Additionally, Selvig said, a sidewalk improvement charge for adjacent property at 1645 S. State Street, which is used for storage and doesn't need utility service, was paid in full.

According to information supplied to the council Monday night, the water main improvement charge was $5,267, the sewer improvement charge was $8,191 and the sidewalk improvement charge was $1,294 — for a total of $14,752.

"No storm water from this property's roof downspouts, drains, or other sources will be allowed to be connected to our sanitary sewer system," Selvig noted in her memo. "We will tap into our unrestricted bank of footing drain disconnect credits to mitigate this new flow."

Mayor John Hieftje shared his thoughts on the matter Monday night.

"The interesting part about that, as I understand it, is they couldn't get (county) health department approval unless they were hooked up to the sewer," he said. "So that was the major sticking point and this will get us past that."

According to Briere, the business is now open.

Read the previous story: New State Street artisan sausage business on hold as zoning turns into blockade

Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's e-mail newsletters.

Comments

Tom Whitaker

Tue, Jul 19, 2011 : 4:12 p.m.

"The interesting part about that, as I understand it, is they couldn't get (county) health department approval unless they were hooked up to the sewer," he said. "So that was the major sticking point and this will get us past that." They were open for business last week, so apparently the health department allowed them to open without the city sewer hook up?

Vivienne Armentrout

Tue, Jul 19, 2011 : 3:39 p.m.

As a note, the zoning and annexation items are on the Planning Commission petition schedule. I hope all those people complaining about how Ann Arbor never does anything to help business will be quiet for a little while. Obviously there was some very proactive staff work here. All-time favorite tweet from Ryan Stanton: "2 things you never want to watch being made: sausage and legislation. But what about legislation for sausage?" Thanks, Ryan!

David Briegel

Tue, Jul 19, 2011 : 1:03 p.m.

I agree with KJMClark but I believe that the City has failed to budget for the additional water and sewer hook ups and that is why they have not been annexed.

ChrisW

Tue, Jul 19, 2011 : 12:59 p.m.

Why is city water and sewage necessary in the first place? Are their no food businesses in Ann Arbor Township?

John Q

Wed, Jul 20, 2011 : 4:37 p.m.

If there are and they are not serviced by city water and sewer, they are on well and septic. In that location, the county's not going to let someone drill a well and add a septic field, assuming the property could accommodate one which it probably can not.

KJMClark

Tue, Jul 19, 2011 : 11:58 a.m.

Why are there *still* township islands??? As I recall it, the state and our agreement with AA Township said we could annex all of them beginning January 1, 2008. Here's an older article on that: <a href="http://blog.mlive.com/annarbornews/2007/12/township_islands_face_costly_c.html" rel='nofollow'>http://blog.mlive.com/annarbornews/2007/12/township_islands_face_costly_c.html</a> So what's the holdup?? These are often expensive properties, well within city limits. In 2006, the 477 township islands were worth a combined $76 million. The owners are using all the city infrastructure except water and sewer, while paying township tax rates. We should have simply told them on January 1, 2008, &quot;Your property will be annexed by January 1, 2012. Where would you like your water and sewer line?&quot;

Will Warner

Tue, Jul 19, 2011 : 11:46 a.m.

Great lead, Ryan.