03-28-2016 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION March 7, 2016 DRAFT 5 capacity, a transportation study would be a required element of the project review. The 179 roadway would be built for industrial use and the use isn’t particularly unique. Job 180 expectation is at about 120 and, if tax increment is included, there would be wage 181 requirements. The mayor asked about proximity to the NorthPointe Development and 182 Mr. Grochala explained an area of about 300 feet between this project and that housing 183 development; he added that his biggest concern about this proposal is how it would merge 184 with other uses in the area. The mayor asked about what type of development the city 185 could expect at this site and Mr. Grochala said the area has always been guided as 186 industrial but he didn’t necessarily expect a building this size – it is about twice the size 187 of Warehouse Alternatives. 188 189 Mayor Reinert said impact on residents is always his biggest concern but the site is also 190 directly adjacent to the freeway. He’s heard that industrial was expected but perhaps 191 smaller facilities. There will decidedly be a traffic impact. Mr. Grochala said that the 192 traffic question really needs to be evaluated. The council discussed possibilities for 193 screening/berming. Mr. Grochala said he would also urge caution on opening up the 194 window to allowing outdoor storage (such as with trailer trucks); it must be carefully 195 considered. 196 197 Staff reported that they anticipate a fast track schedule will be proposed by the developer. 198 Staff was directed to work on the concept of screening and berming and the best plan 199 possible for the site. 200 201 5. FEMA Flood Plan Update- Community Development Director explained that 202 this project of updating FEMA flood plain maps actually started in 2009. The process 203 has resulted in a lot of calls to city hall from residents experiencing changes that impact 204 their property designation. The city adopted its new flood plain maps in 2015 and staff is 205 still working with WSB on certain elements of the update. Mr. Grochala discussed how 206 the rise in some flood plains impacted areas of the city, including properties adjacent to 207 lakes. There are elevations that are determined by zone only and since mortgage 208 companies are doing more prudent review, there have been lots of communications with 209 property owners about flood insurance. City staff is providing information to residents 210 based on map data available. When the mayor asked what changed that caused the map 211 amendments, Mr. Grochala said it’s basically that more data is available to update maps. 212 He explained that he is still working with the city engineer to get more clarification on the 213 changes and there will be a report to the council from Katy Thompson of WSB. 214 215 Mayor Reinert remarked that there are lots of people concerned about additional costs. 216 Mr. Grochala explained that the situation is based on data and the ability to predict more 217 flooding more accurately. Staff is responding to calls and giving information and 218 possible ways to save on increased costs and they are looking at options to study further if 219 there is possibility of change. It’s important to remember that you don’t necessarily want 220 to tell people they are outside of the flood zone if they are actually in danger of being 221 flooded because then they won’t have insurance. 222 223