Calabasas homeowners with faulty septic systems could receive financial assistance to repair their defective tanks if a new lowinterest loan program wins approval from the city.

Last year, Calabasas passed an ordinance requiring about 140 homeowners who still have septic tanks to obtain operating permits. An inspection is required before the permit can be issued.

Some residents considered the ordinance and the code enforcement inspections that followed to be costly, punitive and unnecessary.

Councilmember Mary Sue Maurer suggested the city provide loans to the property owner who can’t afford the repairs.

“The unintended consequence of our effort to make sure that we don’t have pollutants from septic systems (seeping) into our creeks and watershed was the economic impact,” said Maurer said, who pointed out that the economy has made it difficult for many residents to afford the thousands of dollars that it takes to bring their septic systems up to code.

“The last thing we want to see happen is that anyone would have to move from the city because they can’t afford the repairs.”

Councilmember Jonathon Wolfson also supports the loan program, but he said it should include a limit on time and amount. The loans should be a last resort and only for people who have had their septic tanks inspected, Wolfson said.

Inspectors found that about a third of the septic systems inspected had major failures that caused creek pollution. Twentysix homeowners ignored the inspection request.

The deadline for inspections was Oct. 15. Officials debated on whether residents who failed to meet the time limit should be allowed to apply for the proposed loans.

Maurer suggested the city call the homeowners to make sure they’re aware of the septic inspection requirement. Some people may not have received previous notices, she said.

Councilmember James Bozajian endorsed the loan program, but had reservations.

“This is a small measure of helping out these folks, and my preference has been all along, based on the numerous problems that we’ve had with our septic ordinances, that we repeal the ordinance and start all over again,” Bozajian said.

“I continue to have serious reservations about the city’s actions in singling out homes,” Bozajian said. “The feedback has been unanimously negative, and it’s a black eye for the city. I don’t think these ordinances are serving the purpose they were intended for.”

Mayor Barry Groveman, who led the crackdown on septic systems, said the ordinance is sensible and necessary to protect the city against careless polluters.

With regard to the loans, Groveman wants them capped at $5,000. He said they should be given only to people who met the Oct. 15 deadline and who didn’t violate other city codes.

“I support the assistance, but only for people who didn’t break the law. If their houses are out of compliance and they built illegal extensions, they should never qualify,” Goveman said.

James Moorhead, a friend of a family that was evicted from a rural ranch south of Calabasas following a code enforcement visit in July, said residents want to make their systems work, but some are refusing the inspections because they feel the city’s code enforcement practices are too draconian.

“Everybody is mad as hell for the way they’re being treated,” Moorhead said.

“I urge you to look upon (the loans) as an opportunity to do the right thing to help and nurture the citizens of Calabasas,” he said.

Martin Glatt, a Creekside resident, believes the loan program is a bad idea.

“I don’t think the city should lend money to repair and replace septic systems. That’s discriminatory because other residents also need help to replace infrastructure,” Glatt said.

The City Council will review the loan concept at its next meeting on Nov. 10.