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Council annexes 1.56-acre parcel on McCann Drive, resident raises flooding concerns
Summary
The Janesville Common Council unanimously approved ordinances to annex and zone 1.56 acres along McCann Drive for R-1 single- and two-family residences. A nearby resident told the council of ongoing flooding on his property and asked the city to investigate stormwater impacts.
The Janesville Common Council on Feb. 24 adopted two ordinances to annex 1.56 acres along McCann Drive and to zone the property R-1 (single- and two-family residence district) upon annexation.
Planning Director Dwayne Cherek told the council the property, owned by Mark Robinson, is undeveloped and contiguous to the city limits. The owner intends to assemble the tract to create four lots designed for two-family housing, a plan that will require minor land-division approval and a conditional use permit from the Plan Commission. The Plan Commission recommended the zoning change unanimously on Feb. 3.
During the required public hearing, nearby resident Douglas Ross of 3502 North Harmony Town Hall Road said his property experiences repeated flooding after storms and he blamed runoff from nearby development. “Every time it rains, my entire front yard gets flooded,” Ross told the council, saying water flows across his yard through a culvert under the town road to his property.
City Engineer Brad Rentz said the proposed development exceeds one acre and will require a stormwater-management plan and a Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) permit from the state Department of Natural Resources before construction. Rentz said each subdivision must satisfy state and local requirements for volume control, runoff, infiltration and water quality, and the developer must submit stormwater plans that the city will review.
Cherek noted the site is within the city’s urban service limits and that public utilities can be extended to serve the property. He also said the city’s comprehensive plan designates the area as a planned neighborhood, which contemplates a variety of housing types consistent with the owner’s intent.
Councilmember Burdick moved to adopt Ordinance 2025-912 (annexation) and Ordinance 2025-913 (zoning); Councilmember Nino seconded. The council approved both ordinances unanimously.
Councilmembers discussed the drainage questions raised by the resident and asked staff to review prior subdivision stormwater reports and to meet with the resident to examine his photos and concerns as the project’s stormwater plan is developed. The city engineer said he has not previously received the resident’s complaint but offered to investigate and review the drainage model once the developer’s consultant submits plans.
As a next step, any future subdivision or land-disturbing work on the annexed property will require the developer to obtain and submit required state and city stormwater permits and engineering reports before receiving building permits.
