Riverview Estates-CS 940104blEbIORANDUM
To:
From:
Mayor and City Council
Kenneth M. Griffin, P.E., City Engineer
Follow-up on Johnny Thompson's 25 acres on the south side of Sandy Lake
Road east of Riverchase Drive
Date: January 4, 1994
As directed at the December 14, 1993 City Council meeting, the Council Sub-Committee
comprised of Peyton Weaver, Ron Robertson and Danny Watson met with myself and the City
Manager to discuss Mr. Thompson's property and the various issues surrounding it i.e., FEMA
approvals, valley storage requirements, wetland requirements, etc.
Subsequent to that meeting, Ron Robertson, Danny Watson, Jim Witt and myself met with Mr.
Johnny Thompson and his partner concerning the property. After much discussion, it was
decided that the approach to take to resolve the issue in a timely manner was to have Mr.
Thompson contact the Corps of Engineers to request that they perform a wetlands determination
for a 404 Permit. If the Corps of Engineers decides that there are no wetlands associated with
the property and that Mr. Thompson could fill his property, then it was decided that I would
meet with FEMA representatives to discuss the process of allowing Mr. Thompson to fill his
property and what repercussions there would be to the City, if any, if Mr. Thompson fills his
property.
Mr. Thompson stated that he submitted a plat and a zoning request in mid-1991 and at that time,
according to the October 16, 1991 FEMA map, his property was not in a designated floodplain
and his opinion was that he had every right to fill his property. Mr. Thompson's zoning was
approved by Council at the October 8, 1991 City Council meeting. Mr. Thompson's
preliminary plat was also approved by Council on October 8, 1991, however, that approval had
the stipulation that the floodplain issue be resolved prior to filing the final plat. Since that time
there has been ongoing dialogue with Mr. Thompson concerning how to resolve the floodplain
issue. Again, Mr. Thompson's contention was that the issue was resolved in 1991 because his
property was not shown in a designated floodplain on the October 16, 1991 FEMA map and he
had every right to fill his property.
If Mr. Thompson can get his wetlands determination within the next four weeks, then I will visit
with FEMA sometime during the month of February. It is anticipated that this will be brought
back to the City Council for final action no later than the March 22, 1994 City Council meeting.
Staff will be available to answer any questions concerning this issue at the Council meeting.