Council approves conditional-use permit for 6th Street Bridge, staff say FEMA review ongoing

The Rochester City Council adopted a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit CD2026003CUP for structural modifications and placement of supporting piers in the floodway to build the 6th Street Bridge.

Elliot Mueller of Rochester Community Development described the request, noting the project is already subject to federal and state review and that the floodplain criteria require the application because piers and altered flood walls are proposed. Mueller said engineering work shows a one-inch rise associated with the proposed piers that will be addressed through a conditional letter of map revision (CLOMR) process with FEMA.

A project representative said the wall reconfiguration and abutment placement were designed to preserve a separate Zumbro River Trail crossing and to incorporate public-realm amenities; the representative said some initial renderings were scaled back to remain on budget but that the finished landscape components and riverfront access will still be provided.

Council members asked about conflicts of interest, process when the city is both applicant and approver, potential adverse impacts on private property and whether amenities would be reduced to pay for structural work. Staff and the developer responded that the city followed the same process it would for another applicant, that the project coordinates with county floodplain permitting and FEMA review, and that there is no planned adverse impact to private property.

The council approved the permit with two conditions after discussion and thanked staff for community engagement during project design.