HomeMy WebLinkAboutITEM II-A-1CITY OF
AGENDA BILL APPROVAL FORM
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Agenda Subject: Public Hearing: Extending the moratorium on
Date: October 13, 2009
develo ment within the 100- ear FEMA flood lain
Department: Planning, Building
Attachments:
Budget Impact: none
and Community
Administrative Recommendation: City Council conduct a public hearing on extension of the
moratorium on development within the FEMA 100-year floodplain, previously approved under Resolution
No. 4416, and amended b Resolution Nos. 4442 and 4476.
Background Summary:
On November 17, 2008, Auburn City Council passed Resolution No. 4416 that established an initial six
month moratorium on development within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) identified
100-year floodplain. The City Council enacted this moratorium in response to the finding by the National
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) that administration of the National Flood Insurance Program
jeopardizes endangered species. The purpose of the moratorium was to give the federal agencies time to
develop technical assistance for local jurisdictions, and in the interim, limit liability to private parties and
the City.
Subsequent to the enactment of the moratorium on November 17, 2008, the City has taken the following
actions:
• City staff formed a staff level floodplain moratorium working group to review development
proposals and those projects that have no impact on the floodplain (i.e. interior remodels, removal
of fill or impervious surface, demolition, etc.).
• Staff organized and led a public information meeting on the moratorium and Biological Opinion on
December 10, 2008, which was attended by over 50 people.
• Following public testimony at the January 5, 2009 required public hearing for the moratorium,
Mayor Lewis requested staff to coordinate the formation and operation of a community task force
to assist in resolving this issue. The community task force has met three times.
• The City Council adopted Resolution No. 4442 on January 20, 2009 amending the moratorium to
allow processing boundary line adjustments, environmental review applications, and development
applications on those portions of a property not wholly impacted by the 100-year floodplain.
L1019-1 03.10.8
Reviewed by Council & Committees:
Reviewed by Departments & Divisions:
❑ Arts Commission COUNCIL COMMITTEES:
❑ Building p M&O
❑ Airport 0 Finance
❑ Cemetery ❑ Mayor
❑ Hearing Examiner p Municipal Serv.
❑ Finance ❑ Parks
❑ Human Services N Planning & CD
❑ Fire 0 Planning
❑ Park Board SPublic Works
0 Legal ❑ Police
❑ Planning Comm. p Other
0 Public Works ❑ Human Resources
❑ Information Services
Action:
Committee Approval: EDYes ❑No
Council Approval: ❑Yes ❑No Call for Public Hearing 10 / 19 / 2009
Referred to Until
Tabled
Councilmember: Norman
Staff: Baker
Meeting Date: October 19, 2009
Item Number: II.A.1
AU$T,JRN * MORE THAN YOll IMAGINED
• The City of Auburn organized a regional meeting regarding the NMFS Biological Opinion on
March 23, 2009. Approximately 50 people attended the meeting, including representatives from
the community task force, six other jurisdictions, and FEMA.
• The City Councii adopted Resolution No. 4476 on May 4, 2009, extending the moratorium to
November 18, 2009.
• Staff from Auburn, and seven other cities and counties in Western Washington were asked to
participate in a focus group and provide comments on a model ordinance. The focus group met
on August 6, 2009 and September 24, 2009 to provide review comments and discuss issues
raised by the initial drafts of the model ordinance. FEMA has advised the City that the model
ordinance is expected to be completed and available to the affected cities early in 2010.
In order to continue to limit liabitity for private parties and the City, staff is recommending extending the
moratorium six months to await the model ordinance.
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