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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWORK SESSION SUMMARY-08/24/2010-Work SessionUtilities Executive Director City of electric. stormwater. wastewater. water Fort CoLLins 700 Wood St. 970.224.6003 TDD utilities @fcgov.com fcgov.com/utilities MEMORANDUM Date: August 26, 2010 To: Mayor Hutchinson and City Council members Through: Darin Atteberry, City Manager Brian Janonis, Utilities Executive Director From: Jon Haukaas, Water Engineering and Field Services Manager Reference: August 24, 2010 Work Session Summary — Floodplain Regulations Jon Haukaas, Water Engineering and Field Services Manager and Marsha Hilmes-Robinson, Floodplain Administrator, presented Council with a brief overview of the work done to date on the Poudre Floodplain Regulations. Council members present included Mayor Doug Hutchinson, Mayor Pro Tern Kelly Ohlson, Ben Manvel, David Roy, Wade Troxell, and Aislinn Kottwitz. Staff began with the interrelationship between this effort and Plan Fort Collins. It was recognized that the Poudre River is key to the sustainability of Fort Collins. There was discussion indicating that Plan Fort Collins is a long range vision while revisions to the Poudre River Floodplain Regulations are immediate considerations. The staff presentation reviewed the three options of proposed levels of floodplain regulation. (1) Return to a 0.1 foot allowable floodway rise limitation, or (2) implement a restriction on new and expanded structures within the floodplain, or (3) maintain the current regulations. Next staff explained why this item was being discussed, mainly its relation to the Stormwater Repurposing efforts and also its relevance to the Plan Fort Collins discussion. Information regarding the number of parcels, acreage of parcels, and maps showing specific areas of concern under the various options was discussed. A significant portion of the remaining discussion included clarification of the concepts associated with floodplains and the effect of fill or other forms of development. Key discussion and feedback by Council: I. Public Outreach Process to explain the range of options considered for proposed changes to the Floodplain Regulations. In general, the Council felt that a significant amount of outreach needed to happen and more should have occurred prior to this discussion . Staff reiterated that the work session serves as Ft°oLLins a process check before time and resources are utilized to move forward and that this work session would serve as the beginning of a substantive outreach process. Outreach efforts envisioned would include Boards and Commissions, City departments, stakeholders (i.e. impacted property owners, business associations, interested citizens), and the general public. Parcel-specific information is currently being developed to identify impact to individual property owners as the next step. 2. Preference on Options for Regulating the Floodplain Council did not feel they had sufficient public feedback to have a preferred option at this time. They were also concerned about these regulations being applied only to the Poudre River Floodplain. Council discussed the need to look for additional options beyond the three currently under consideration, including those related to the “No Adverse Impact” approach that is gaining support nationally. Council expressed a range of comments and feedback. This included: • The concern that the recommendations to strengthen the regulations were not justified and that they would adversely affect the economic health and viability of Fort Collins. The Downtown River District is a key area of development for the City and coordinated development approach along the river would be the prudent approach. • That there needs to be a balance between the economic, social and environmental considerations for the river. • Fort Collins needs to stop building where it is likely to flood. ‘Let the river he a river.” In accordance with the City Plan, we are to protect and restore the natural functions of the river. • The “river is a workhorse,” and the community “should use it more as a playground, not a plaything.” • That ripwian edge development should be the exception, not the rule, and that 50 to 100 years from now a natural Poudre River would he the greatest community attribute in Fort Collins. 3. Comments to be added to the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) Analysis Map Time did not allow an in depth discussion of the TBL chart. One Council member did not feel this chart format was easy to use and that it needs to be better organized. Staff concluded with a brief explanation of how comments would be added to the Map. Three Council members supported continuing the discussion while two felt the need was not sufficiently expressed to warrant continuing the process. Specific direction was also provided to Staff to he prepared to address the following questions: I. What is the purpose and need to change the floodplain regulations? 2. Analyze the impact on properties in more detail. 3. Provide more economic analysis. 4. Describe better “Less people at risk” - how many? 5. Provide more information on “No Adverse Impact” to the public and to the Council.