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Commission recommends adoption of updated floodplain ordinance to preserve NFIP eligibility, asks to retain shoreland/wetland language separately
Summary
To maintain National Flood Insurance Program eligibility and incorporate updated FEMA/DNR maps, the Planning Commission recommended City Council adopt the state model floodplain ordinance, while retaining shoreland/wetland provisions separately and deferring Mendota lock-and-dam failure analysis until further map availability.
The commission voted on Monday to recommend that City Council adopt an updated floodplain ordinance based on the Wisconsin DNR model language so the city can retain eligibility for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Staff emphasized the update is needed to reflect new FEMA flood maps and to meet state and federal requirements.
Staff recommended adopting the model floodplain ordinance and keeping shoreland/wetland regulations in the current chapter for separate revision later. The applicant/administrator and city attorney advised that separating shoreland/wetland language will permit those rules to be updated without entering FEMA’s review process for the model floodplain ordinance. Staff also reported late guidance that the Mendota lock‑and‑dam failure analysis should not be adopted at this time because map availability and details are still evolving; the commission agreed to remove that element from the present ordinance update.
Commissioners asked procedural and substantive questions about map availability, the legal effect on properties and the tight calendar. Staff said the ordinance change and referenced maps are timed to take effect in April 2025 and that the planning commission’s recommendation is needed for council consideration. Commissioners requested staff provide clearer maps and lists of affected properties as follow‑up; staff agreed to seek electronic map files and provide additional briefings before council action.
After discussion, the commission moved to recommend the ordinance to City Council with the clarifications that shoreland/wetland text remain in place (to be re‑housed and updated later) and that the Mendota lock/ dam failure analysis be excluded for now. The motion carried by voice vote; one commissioner verbally recorded an abstention during the vote. The recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for formal adoption.
