The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is in the process of revising the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) that determine the location of the regulatory floodplain in the Village of Pleasant Prairie along Lake Michigan. After they are finalized, these new maps, along with new land use restrictions specific to coastal areas along and near Lake Michigan, must be incorporated into the Village’s Floodplain Zoning Ordinance in order for the Village’s property owners to remain eligible for federal flood insurance. Generally speaking, areas that are included within the regulatory floodplain are subject to additional land use restrictions.
UPDATE RELATED TO NEW FLOODPLAIN REQUIREMENTS AND MAPS
The Village received the attached letter dated October 11, 2023, indicating that the statutory 90-day appeal period has elapsed and have issued the FIS Report and new FIRM Maps for the coastal area of Lake Michigan in the Village that will become effective on April 11, 2024.
Below are links to the new Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) adjacent to Lake Michigan and the Floodplain Insurance Study (FIS):
FIRM: 55059CIND1E
FIRM: 55059C0212E
FIRM: 55059C0214E
FIRM: 55059C0216E
FIRM: 55059C0218E
FIRM: 55059C0331E
FIS Volume 1: 55059CV001C
FIS Volume 2: 55059CV002C
FIS Volume 3: 55059CV003C
Prior to the effective date of these Maps, the Village is required, as a condition of continued eligibility in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), to adopt the above FIRM’s and FIS. In addition, a new Floodplain Ordinance regulating development in the Floodplain including the new Coastal Floodplain is required to be adopted that meets the minimum standards of the Federal and State floodplain requirements.
The Village intends to repeal Section 420-131 of the Village Zoning Ordinance entitled “FPO, Floodplain Overlay District” and to adopt new floodplain regulations, Chapter 430, entitled “Floodplain Zoning Ordinance”, which includes new floodplain requirements and adopts the new Coastal Floodplain Maps associated with Lake Michigan. Click this link to view the proposed Floodplain Zoning Ordinance that is being considered by the Village Board at their meeting on February 12, 2024.
On Wednesday January 24, 2024, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm the Village held a 2nd public informational meeting at the Village Hall Auditorium, 9915 39th Avenue (lower level entrance on the south side of the building) to discuss the new Floodplain Ordinance and Maps.
On Monday January 29, 2024 , at 6:00 pm the Village Plan Commission held a public hearing at the Village Hall Auditorium, 9915 39th Avenue (lower level entrance on the south side of the building) to discuss the new Floodplain Ordinance and Maps. Click here for a link to the Agenda Packet and Audio Recording for this meeting.
2022 PRELIMINARY COASTAL FLOODPLAIN MAP INFORMATION
On November 4, 2022, the Village sent letters to property owners in the Village who may be affected by the map changes along Lake Michigan. The notice sent out by the Village included a letter received from FEMA dated October 7, 2022 and Comparison Maps generated from the FEMA website that compare the current Effective FEMA maps with the Preliminary FEMA maps adjacent to Lake Michigan.
The October 7, 2022 FEMA letter also outlines the next steps in the process to adopt their proposed changes and property owners opportunity to challenge the proposed changes.
Other useful links that may be helpful:
Mapping Flood Risk along the Great Lakes-Bing Video
Posting of Notice on FEMA website on October 20, 2022
FEMA's Preliminary Flood Map Comparison Tool
Preliminary FIRM Maps affecting Pleasant Prairie
Preliminary Flood Insurance Study, Volume 1 of 3
Preliminary Flood Insurance Study, Volume 2 of 3
Preliminary Flood Insurance Study, Volume 3 of 3
Kenosha County Upper Fox River Watershed and Coastal Study Map Update May 31, 2022 PowerPointe slides
Flood Hazard Mitigation in the Great Lakes August 31, 2022 PowerPointe slides
FEMA Fact Sheet
Coastal Flood Risk-Link to FEMA website
Protect Your Property from Costal Erosion-Link to FEMA publication
On Tuesday, November 29, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. the Village held a public information meeting at the Village Municipal Building Auditorium. During this meeting, representatives from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and FEMA, who who attended virtually, provided information and answered questions from property owners. Use the following links to the presentation.
November 29, 2022 Public Information Meeting video
November 29, 2022 Public Information Meeting PowerPointe slides
In addition, questions regarding this matter, can be directed to:
Rick Sacbibit, Chief, Engineering Services Branch
Federal Insurant and Mitigation Administration
FEMA
400 C Street SW
Washington, DC 20472
(202) 646-7659
Email: [email protected]
or visit the FEMA Map Information eXchange (FMIX) online at
https://www.floodpmaps.fema.gov/fhm/fmx_main.html