NOTICE OF TWO WOODBURY COUNTY ZONING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARINGS (Comprehensive Plan 2040 and Floodplain Ordinance Amendments)

NOTICE OF TWO WOODBURY COUNTY ZONING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1) FOR PROPOSED WOODBURY COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2040; 2) FOR PROPOSED ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENTS TO THE FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE SECTION 5.03 OF THE WOODBURY COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE

The Woodbury County Zoning Commission will have a meeting and will hold two public hearings on the following items hereafter described in detail on March 25, 2024 at 5:00 PM or as soon thereafter as the matters may be considered. Said hearings will be held in the Board of Supervisors’ meeting room in the basement of the Woodbury County Courthouse, 620 Douglas Street, Sioux City, Iowa.  Copies of said items may now be examined at the office of the Woodbury County Community and Economic Development, on the 6th Floor of said Courthouse by any interested persons. You may forward your written comments by mail or email about the items below to: Woodbury County Community and Economic Development, 6th Floor, Woodbury County Courthouse, 620 Douglas St., Sioux City, IA 51101; Emails should be sent to Dan Priestley at: dpriestley@woodburycountyiowa.gov  Only signed comments will be considered and should be received no later than 10:00 AM on March 25, 2024.  All persons who wish to be heard in respect to these matters should appear at the aforesaid hearings in person or call: 712-454-1133 and enter the Conference ID: 638 086 537# during the meeting to listen or comment.  However, it is recommended to attend in person as there is the possibility for technical difficulties with phone and computer systems.

Item One (1)

ZONING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING FOR PROPOSED WOODBURY COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2040.  SUMMARY: To consider a comprehensive plan for the purpose of establishing a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors pursuant to Iowa Code Chapter 335.5.  The proposed Woodbury County Comprehensive Plan 2040 is intended to serve as an advisory document that outlines the county’s vision. The purpose of this comprehensive plan is to provide a current inventory of community services and resources and a thoughtful statement of the community’s vision and goals for the future. The comprehensive plan includes analysis of the following planning topics: Housing, Economic Development, Transportation, Public Infrastructure and Utilities, Community Facilities and Services, Land Use and Natural Resources, and Disaster Response, Recovery and Resiliency.  The draft copy is available for inspection online at: https://tinyurl.com/WoodburyPlan2040

Item Two (2)

ZONING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING FOR PROPOSED ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENTS TO THE FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE SECTION 5.03 OF THE WOODBURY COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE.  SUMMARY: A proposal to amend the text of the Woodbury County Zoning Ordinance to repeal and replace portions of Section 5.03: Floodplain Management Ordinance.  The proposal is to repeal and replace the following sections.  Amendment #1 - On page 59, to repeal and replace Section 5.03.1 AA with the following:  AA.  New Factory-Built Home Park Or Subdivision - A factory-built home park or subdivision for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the factory-built homes are to be affixed (including at a minimum, the installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads) is completed on or after the effective date of the first floodplain management regulations adopted by the community.; Amendment #2 -  On page 62, to repeal and replace Section 5.03.3 B with the following:  B.  Establishment of Official Floodplain Zoning Map.  The Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for Woodbury County and Incorporated Areas, dated 7-17-2024, which was prepared as part of the Flood Insurance Study for Woodbury County, is (are) hereby adopted by reference and declared to be the Official Floodplain Zoning Map. The Woodbury County Flood Insurance Study is hereby adopted by reference and is made a part of this ordinance for the purpose of administering floodplain management regulations.; Amendment #3 - On page 72, to repeal and replace Section 5.03.10 B(4) with the following: (4)  In cases where the variance involves a lower level of flood protection for structures than what is ordinarily required by this Ordinance, the applicant shall be notified in writing over the signature of the Administrator that: (i) the issuance of a variance will result in increased premium rates for flood insurance up to amounts as high as $25 for $100 of insurance coverage and (ii) such construction increases risks to life and property.; Amendment #4 - On page 73, to repeal and replace Section 5.03.10 C(2) with the following: (2) Decisions.  The Board shall arrive at a decision on an Appeal or Variance within a reasonable time.  In passing upon an Appeal, the Board may, so long as such action is in conformity with the provisions of this ordinance, reverse or affirm, wholly or in part, or modify the order, requirement, decision, or determination appealed from, and it shall make its decision, in writing, setting forth the findings of fact and the reasons for its decision.  In granting a Variance, the Board shall consider such factors as contained in this section and all other relevant sections of this ordinance and may prescribe such conditions as contained in 5.03-10 C(2)(b).