excerpt from e-mail by Heather Gates to The Natural Step Monona listserve...
To report, Dianné did an amazing job of presenting her case for her composting toilet to the zoning board last night. (A request to appeal, per Section 15-1-152, by Dianné Aldrich, 6020 Kristi Circle, the decision by the Building Inspector to deny the permit application per Section 15-1-109(d) to install a composting toilet in the office studio on her property.)
Dianné went through the ordinance, defining basic terms, to show that her intended system was not covered by Monona’s own specific ordinances and was, therefore, covered by the state code:
Sec. 15-1-101 Adoption of the State Plumbing Code.
The provisions and regulations of the Wisconsin State Plumbing Code, Chapters ILHR 81, ILHR 82 and ILHR 83, Wis. Adm. Code, are hereby made a part of this Chapter by reference as though set forth herein, and together with such additional regulations as may be adopted by the Council, shall extend over and govern the installation of all plumbing installed, altered, or repaired in the City.
The state code allows composting toilets. Although two of the three board members (out of four) who voted in favor of Dianné’s interpretation came into the meeting quite skeptical about the merits of her case, she won them over with her critical thinking skills and clear presentation.
Thank you, Dianné, for taking a tough step down a rocky path. You’ve cleared some stones so the rest of us in doing so, and we will travel easier because of you!
Heather
Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground. - Anonymous
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