Board approves Saint Remy HOA petition to access and repair detention pond, citing public-safety benefit

The Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously approved a petition from the Saint Remy Homeowners Association to allow a limited access road into mapped floodplain and to permit maintenance activity within wetland and riparian buffers so the HOA can repair an exposed sanitary sewer line and stabilize an eroding dam embankment.

Staff described the site as containing multiple environmental features including a pond previously delineated as wetland, intermittent streams with a 75-foot buffer, and mapped floodplain areas. Although the drainage area is smaller than one square mile (meaning DNR/FEMA do not require a permit for certain activities), staff said the site remains mapped and must be processed under UDO procedures. Engineers and staff worked with the petitioner to develop a mitigation plan involving fill replacement over the exposed line, bank stabilization, relocating the spillway to reduce erosion risk and wetland plantings to offset disturbance.

David Welch, president of the Saint Remy Homeowners Association, said the HOA has worked with city staff and engineers to address outstanding issues and characterized the request as necessary for public health and safety; he estimated repairs could cost about $400,000. Staff recommended approval conditioned on the eight items described in the staff report. With no public opposition in the chamber or online, the board adopted staff findings and approved the petition.