Plan Commission backs reduced floodplain compensatory storage for Sky Harbor hangar project

The Wheeling Plan Commission on Aug. 12 recommended approval of a variation to reduce the compensatory floodplain storage ratio from 1.5:1 to 1.1:1 for the Sky Harbor hangar development at 1090 South Milwaukee Avenue.

Michael Cook of Cook Engineering Group, representing Sky Harbor, said the site sits in FEMA-mapped floodplain and the team has requested a conditional Letter of Map Revision from FEMA; he noted topographic constraints and FAA setback requirements that limit where compensatory storage can be placed. "We're asking for 1.1 to 1 still meeting those compensatory storage requirements, but at 110%," Cook said. Village engineering staff member Kyle told commissioners the 1.1:1 figure is commonly accepted by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and represents a net increase in flood storage compared with the undeveloped site, adding: "So we're not eliminating the storage. We're just reducing the amount that is required from 150% essentially to 110%."

Staff and the petitioner clarified the approval would be project-specific and not a blanket modification for the Chicago Executive Airport. Commissioners voted to recommend the variation; the petitioner was instructed to appear before the Village Board on Sept. 21 for final action.