Windsor Plan Commission approves floodplain zoning amendments to match updated FEMA maps

The Village of Windsor Plan Commission approved a resolution on Jan. 9, 2025 to amend Chapter 25 of the village code so local floodplain zoning will conform to updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and related state and federal requirements.

At a public hearing opened at 5:01 p.m., Jamie Rybarczyk, Community Development Director and deputy administrator, presented staff’s findings that the updated maps associated with the Flood Insurance Study for Dane County (dated April 9, 2025, as referenced in the staff report) affect 188 properties within Windsor. Rybarczyk told the commission that three properties have accessory structures entirely within the mapped floodplain and three properties have accessory structures partially within the floodplain; no principal structures were identified within the floodplain. No members of the public attended the hearing.

After discussion, Commissioner Dave Gaustad moved to approve Resolution 2025-01, stipulating that staff incorporate comments received from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; Commissioner Bill LeGore seconded. The motion carried 7–0. The resolution language and the ordinance amendments were presented as required to ensure property owners remain eligible for flood insurance under current DNR and FEMA standards.

The commission’s action follows the staff presentation and the public hearing; the record in the minutes indicates the commission will address DNR comments as part of finalizing the ordinance language. The minutes also reference an administrative approval line reading “Approved 03-13-25” in the meeting packet, as noted in the staff materials. The commission did not receive any public testimony opposing or supporting the changes at this meeting.

Next steps: staff will incorporate the DNR comments into the ordinance amendments and proceed with the formal adoption process as required by village procedure.