Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 2/14/2013Fort Collins MEMORANDUM DATE: February 12, 2013 Utilities electric • sto"water wastewater - water 700 Wood Street PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 970.221.6700 970.221.6619 - fax 970.224.6003 - TDD ufilifies@kgov.cont kgov.corrWfififies TO: Mayor Weitkunat and City Councilmembers THRU: Darin Atteberry, City Manager,' � Brian Janonis, Utilities Executive Director W(R10) FROM: Jon Haukaas, Water Engineering and Field Operations Manager Ken Sampiey, Stormwater and Floodplain Program Manager %i RE: Poudre River Floodplain Regulations — Public Outreach At the October 25, 2011 Council Work Session, Staff recommended that the development of an Adverse Impact Review (AIR) process for the Poudre River Floodplain Regulations be discontinued and that additional consideration be given to implementing specific life safety and property damage criteria (emergency access, emergency evacuation and warning plans, and debris blockage) that will enhance and support the existing floodplain regulations. Council directed Staff to: 1. Continue evaluation of a "scalable" regulation that would require additional investigation for any development that happens in areas with a higher potential impact to the flood elevations; 2. Work with PFA for the development of specific code language; 3. Examine a notification process similar to the Land Use Code with clarification of the associated legal issues from the City Attorney's Office; and, 4. Provide a consistent summary format for the various regulation comparison charts; Public Outreach / Milestones In 2012 and early 2013, Stormwater and Poudre Fire Authority (PFA) staff worked with the Poudre River Floodplain Regulations Working Committee to further evaluate the AIR process and develop specific life safety criteria. These meetings and other recent and upcoming public outreach efforts are summarized in the table below: DATE MEETING / MILESTONE Jan. 31, 2012 Working Committee Meeting Feb. 13, 2012 Working Committee Meeting Apr. 16, 2013 Working Committee Meeting May 14, 2012 Working Committee Meeting Jun. 25, 2012 Working Committee Meeting Feb. 04, 2013 Working Committee Meeting Feb. 08, 2013 Chamber of Commerce — LLAC Feb. 20, 2013 Natural Resource Advisory Board (NRAB) Feb. 21, 2013 Water Board Mar. 05, 2013 City Council Regular Meeting Fort Collins In accordance with discussions at the June 25, 2012 Working Committee meeting, Staffs from the City and Poudre Fire Authority (PFA) were tasked with developing the final code language to incorporate proposed revisions to the Poudre River Floodplain Regulations into the City Code for the City of Fort Collins. nevrseu Hooroacn -- cmeraencv nesoonse anu rreuareuness rian Upon further consideration and detailed evaluation, it was determined that the criteria requiring the construction of elevated emergency access roads for new construction or redevelopments in the Poudre River 100-Year Floodplain to meet a proposed maximum flooding depth of 6 inches is impractical and infeasible for many properties adjacent to the Poudre River. As a result, Staff developed and proposed a "performance -based" regulation that places more emphasis on life safety through advance warning and evacuation instead of the costly and in many cases infeasible construction of "elevated" emergency access roads. It requires that an Emergency Response Preparedness Plan (ERPP) be prepared and implemented that provides for evacuation a minimum of two hours in advance of when flood waters will impact the site and/or any portion of the designated evacuation routes. The Working Committee acknowledged the improved focus on life safety and recommended at its February 4, 2013 meeting that the proposed revisions to the Poudre River floodplain regulations be forwarded to City Council for review and consideration. NFCBA and Chamber of Commerce Feedback The North Fort Collins Business Association (NFCBA) originally requested a presentation on the proposed floodplain regulations, but withdrew the request after being updated on the new approach by its three (3) representatives that serve as members of the Working Committee. While there are items to be addressed based on input from NFCBA representatives and the Chamber of Commerce, both entities have expressed support for the revised approach and believe it better addresses the goal of improved life safety as compared to the Adverse Impact Review (AIR) process. Water Board and Natural Resources Advisory Board Staff is scheduled to present the proposed code language and Emergency Response Preparedness Plan (ERPP) approach at the February 2013 Water Board and NRAB meetings. City Council The proposed code language and Emergency Response Preparedness Plan (ERPP) approach are currently schedule for consideration by City Council at its March 5, 2013 Council meeting. Staff is available if there are any questions on the Poudre River Floodplain Regulations update or if additional information is needed.