Sharon Commons Seeks 'Minor' Septic System Site Change

Sharon Commons has proposed moving its underground septic system to jibe with the site layout the zoning board of appeals approved for the 450,000-square-foot lifestyle center this summer.

Project officials and the Sharon Board of Health agreed Monday night to review the matter after the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection responds to the proposed changes. Health board consultant Marie Cannon was part of the discussion.

Attorney Robert Shelmerdine, representing project developer Sharon CFII LP, told the board he considered the changes "a minor modification" to the design the board approved on Sept. 22, 2008.

The size of the project, across from Shaw's Plaza on South Main Street, has since been reduced to 450,000 square feet from 498,000 square feet, Shelmerdine said.

"It just wasn't feasible in this economy," he said of the larger plan.

The health board contacted project officials in May regarding the new layout, Shelmerdine said. However, project officials felt such a meeting was "premature" because the ZBA hadn't approved the new layout, he said.

Shelmerdine publicly apologized for Sharon Commons' officials not appearing at the board's Sept. 26 meeting. Health board members had said.

Shelmerdine called the matter "a mix-up between myself and our engineer."

"It was not a willful attempt on on our part," he said.

"I understand the board was somewhat upset."