Date: April 11, 2017
To: Members of the Planning Commission
From: Scott Tempel, City Planner
Title
Consideration of Floodplain Conditional Use Permit - The Crossing Fairfield Hotel.
Body
Action Requested:
The Planning Commission is requested to hold a public hearing on a Conditional Use Permit for the Floodplain Overlay District for the Fairfield Inn and Suites at The Crossing, 114 E 2nd St. Staff recommends an affirmative recommendation on the Permit be sent to the City Council.
Summary Report:
The Fairfield Inn and Suites at The Crossing received site plan approval in 2016 and has now applied for building permits. Part of the building permit review is ensuring adequate flood protection and safety. Due to site constraints, it was not possible for the applicant to locate the hotel on the lot without clipping the floodplain. This was revealed during the site plan review process. The applicants agreed to apply for a Letter of Map Revision "Based on Fill" (LOMR-F) to revise the floodplain boundary and design a floodable parking structure under the building.
After multiple lengthy discussions between the applicants, city staff and the Department of Natural Resources, it has been agreed that the path forward for the project is to dry flood-proof the parking structure, which is allowed through a Conditional Use Permit. This has required redesign of the parking structure, the elevator and sump systems, the surface parking lot and the entrance to the parking garage. Staff is now confident the structure will be protected from flooding and is recommending approval of the Conditional Use Permit.
Background:
The Crossing Project has been a major redevelopment effort by the City of Northfield for over fifteen years. The City of Northfield and the EDA began assembling parcels to facilitate this project in the late 1990's. When this process was completed, the City of Northfield selected Mendota Homes to develop the site. In 2005, the Planning Commission recom...
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