Council raises alarm after FEMA draft map puts land near Stellantis in 100‑year floodplain

Belvidere planning staff said FEMA is preparing to redraw the city’s flood‑plain maps and several changes in the draft map could affect development plans. "FEMA is preparing to redraw the flood plain maps in the community," planning staffer Gina told the council, and she said the city has submitted comments through FEMA’s portal asking for reconsideration.

Council members said the draft map’s designation of land immediately west and south of the former Stellantis property as 100‑year floodplain could undercut years of investment meant to serve a supplier park and other industrial uses. The mayor said the land bank had purchased that property "with the sole intent to develop it," and that the new map "puts the property in the proposed hundred year flood plain" in a way that could "throw a hand grenade into" ongoing water and sewer extension plans. Gina told the council she asked FEMA to account for compensatory storage and the low‑flow channel the city has constructed.

Council members pressed for technical review and outreach. Alderman Peterson asked whether the city or its partners would engage a hydrologist to contest the mapping; Gina said the city had submitted detailed questions, and that FEMA’s Region 1 would be handling outreach during the comment period. The mayor and other aldermen said they would follow up with partners who had supported the supplier park work and monitor FEMA’s response. The city did not adopt any policy changes at the meeting; staff said the matter remains in the comment stage with FEMA.