An ordinance to amend the floor area ratio for Fremont’s Business Park District was tabled after a lengthy public discussion during Tuesday night’s city council meeting.
A drainage study was presented prior to the regular meeting.
Jerry Delaney, president of the Central Park Homeowners Association, said residents were told at the March 30 council meeting that a study from 2013 was still relevant.
“When we questioned how valid this forgotten, eight-year-old study was, we were told that no new study needed to be done because it was still accurate despite many changes to the area,” Delaney said. “We were told a new study would cost money and take time and that it would be practical to simply review the old study. Now we have a new study that has been done since then and we’re supposed to be at ease. … We’re supposed to assume that proper protocol and diligence has been adhered to throughout this whole process.”
Delaney said that given how many times the simple request for basic information has changed during the course of the last few weeks, he didn’t believe that anyone, including council members, could be sure they’ve been given accurate data.
“We’re not asking you, we’re begging you to not even consider making a change to not just this one, but to all current and future business developments in our city,” Delaney said. “A change that could potentially have a negative effect on hundreds and, long term, potentially thousands of residents just so we could accommodate a few potential purchasers of some portions of one development at this time.”
Former councilwoman Susan Jacobus also voiced her concerns.
“You are not going to be able to guarantee these homeowners, who are paying thousands and thousands of dollars annually and support everything you do as a city entity (and) also your schools, that you will protect them from additional floodwaters that this is going to impact,” she said.
Councilman Glen Ellis said the council needs to analyze the drainage in the area more thoroughly before proceeding. He said it kind of scared him when the city’s consultant said it was a micro study and not a macro study.
“I’ve experienced in the last 17 years a lot of flooding in Fremont,” he said. “I don’t believe I want to be responsible for adding more to the problem. I believe there is a solution here. It needs to be looked at in many different ways.”
Ellis said the council needs to solve the issue and not just ignore it.
“That is what I’m here for tonight — the unintended consequences of us just kicking the can down the street,” he said. “We need to stop and do some major looking at the drainage in this area, come up with a solution. Then we can hit the gas pedal and go forward. I would encourage the council … that we should be able to find the money to solve the problem right away.”
Councilman Brad Yerger said the citizens that spoke during the public forum raised valid concerns. Yerger made a motion to table the first reading of the ordinance until there is a complete and new drainage study “and not one regurgitated from eight years ago.”
The motion carried 6-2.
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