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City of Missoula, Montana Item to be Referred to City Council Committee Committee: Plat, Annexation and Zoning Item: 2215 Missoula Avenue Floodplain Variance Date: November 18, 2009 Prepared by: Todd Klietz, RS, CFM, Office of Planning and Grants Initiated by: Barbara Sharp, represented by Jay Raser PAZ Action Required: Approve or deny a floodplain variance request on property located at 2215 Missoula Ave, Section 14, T13N, R20W in the Rattlesnake Creek floodplain. Recommended Motion: THAT the request to approve a floodplain variance for 2215 Missoula Ave to construct a home on a stemwall foundation out of the floodway be APPROVED. Timeline: City Council’s Referral to Committee: November 23, 2009 PAZ Committee Discussion: December 2, 2009 Action Item City Council Action: December 7, 2009 (Consent Agenda or Committee Reports) Deadline: December 18, 2009 Background: Barbara Sharp proposes to construct a new/replacement home on a stemwall foundation as authorized by recently amended State law (MCA 76.5.402). The State of Montana and the City of Missoula have not yet amended their floodplain regulations to reflect the amendment necessitating this variance request. Prior to the statutory amendment, floodplain residential construction required a 15 foot perimeter fill beyond the structure in all directions. This particular lot is quite constrained by property and floodway boundaries whereas a modest home on a 15 foot perimeter fill would fill nearly the entire parcel blocking floodwaters from returning to Rattlesnake Creek. Construction on stemwalls allows the perimeter of the home to remain at existing grade allowing floodwaters to return – as well as allowing a somewhat larger home to be constructed by the applicant. The new home will be located completely outside of the floodway. As required by the City floodplain regulations, the Montana Department of Natural Resources recommends approval of the variance. Financial Implications: None anticipated Attachments: 1. Location Map 2. Residential Floodplain Construction Diagrams 3. DNRC Recommendation 4. Assocation of Montana Floodplain Managers Stemwall Flyer 5. Variance Criteria