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West Milwaukee adopts WDNR floodplain ordinance to preserve future NFIP eligibility
Summary
The Village Board adopted the WDNR-model Floodplain Zoning Ordinance (05-O-24) on Sept. 16 to preserve eligibility in the National Flood Insurance Program should a mapped floodplain appear in the future; the ordinance was prepared by the DNR and reviewed by raSmith.
Village President Stalewski and the West Milwaukee Village Board adopted the "WDNR Floodplain Zoning Ordinance" (05-O-24) at the Sept. 16, 2024 meeting after a brief public hearing. Village Engineer Ben High told the board the village currently has no mapped floodplain but that adopting the Department of Natural Resources model ordinance would allow the village to remain eligible for the National Flood Insurance Program if a floodplain is later mapped within municipal boundaries.
The ordinance text was described as prepared by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) and reviewed by raSmith before presentation to the board. President Stalewski noted the village has experienced significant flooding in the past as part of the hearing record; no members of the public spoke during the hearing.
Trustee Schaefer moved to approve the ordinance; Trustee Hill seconded. Roll-call votes were recorded: Ayes—Schaefer, Ragonese, Hill, Greenfield, Schuettke, Stalewski; Excused—Edgar. The motion carried and the board adopted Ordinance 05-O-24. The transcript does not specify an effective date for the ordinance.
Why it matters: adopting a WDNR-model floodplain ordinance preserves administrative eligibility for federal flood insurance and ensures the village’s zoning code aligns with state-model provisions should floodplain mapping change in the future. The board’s action does not itself remap any parcels; it is a zoning adoption to preserve procedural options.
The board took other routine business at the same meeting, including committee updates and approvals of vouchers and payroll. The village will post ordinance documents and next steps according to standard municipal procedures.
