Date: September 21, 2017
To: Members of the Planning Commission
From: Scott Tempel, City Planner
Title
Consideration of Floodplain Conditional Use Permit - Northfield Safety Center
Body
Action Requested:
The Planning Commission is requested to hold a public hearing on a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) in the Floodplain Overlay District for the Northfield Fire Station. A CUP is required for building designs where the lowest floor elevation will be lower than the predicted base flood elevation (BFE). Staff recommends the Planning Commission review the conditions for approval and pass a motion to recommend approval of the CUP by the City Council.
Summary Report:
Planning and design continues on the Northfield Area Fire and Rescue Services (NAFRS) expansion of the Northfield Safety Center. After multiple reviews, the path forward for the project is to dry flood-proof the basement of the Safety Center, which is allowed through a Conditional Use Permit. Staff is confident the structure will be protected from flooding and is recommending approval of the Conditional Use Permit.
Background:
The base zoning for the property is Public and Institutional (PI). The applicants have received tentative approval from the Development Review Committee to proceed with the CUP prior to formal site plan approval so as to minimize planning and design costs.
Regulations:
8.5.4 Flood Plain Permit
(5) In passing upon conditional use permit applications, the city council shall consider all relevant factors specified in other subsections of this section, the standards of Section 2.5.1, Floodplain Overlay District (FP-O), and:
(a) The danger to life and property due to increased flood heights or velocities caused by encroachments.
(b) The danger that materials may be swept onto other lands or downstream to the injury of others or they may block bridges, culverts or other hydraulic structures.
(c) The proposed water supply and sanitation systems and the ability of these systems...
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