Planning staff previews stormwater ordinance rewrite; public hearing expected in May

Michigan City planning staff gave the Plan Commission an update April 22 on drafting a new stormwater ordinance and related edits to the zoning and subdivision codes, and said the ordinance will not be ready for approval this meeting but is expected to return to the commission in May.

Planning staff member Eric York said staff and consultants are preparing an Exhibit B that will compile changes and cross-references between the new stormwater code and existing zoning and subdivision provisions. York said the team completed a review of the zoning code and is now working through the subdivision code to ensure all references match the forthcoming stormwater ordinance before formal publication.

York said city engineers and other reviewers have been involved in technical checks and that Attorney Hill has begun drafting the public notice language required for a blanket ordinance change. York said attorneys LePage and Harris will review the package before it goes to the City Council and that Al Wallace, who staff expected to attend, will be present at the May meeting to assist with the presentation.

No formal action was taken. Staff told the commission that members will receive copies of all materials sent to attorneys before the May hearing and that the commission will be asked to consider the ordinance and a recommendation to Council at that time. York said staff hopes to present the final draft for a plan commission vote in May, after which the ordinance would proceed to City Council for consideration and adoption following required notice.