The resolution approving the Fremont Technology Park replat was met with opposition during the Fremont City Council meeting Tuesday night.
Linda Von Behren is one of many homeowners who voiced concern about the resolution. The city is developing a 67-acre business park next to the Central Park subdivision. Residents are worried about potential flooding.
“I’m not just speaking for me, or the people that are here, but the 179 residents that live in those two developments,” she said. “We’re asking that you do not approve a plan that your own information says will continue threatening our homes and properties. We are not asking that you stop development. We are not asking you to go to great expense. We are just asking that you not approve anything until you have a plan to do something more than just dump the city’s water at the edge of your park on our homes around it.”
Mayor Joey Spellerberg said the city is fully aware of the citizens’ concerns. He said officials are trying to do all they can to address the drainage issue.
“The city first had a meeting with constituents, brought them into city hall and put everything out on the table from day one and has walked through this process with your concerns,” he said. “Considering the park is 34 percent impervious surface when it was 60, the businesses in this area are already sacrificing that. So there is a give and take and I completely understand where you’re coming from in regards to the drainage.”
Spellerberg noted that Brad Marshall, a civil team leader at Olsson Engineering, provided an updated drainage study last month.
“We, as a city, are doing everything we can to help the situation,” he said.
After several minutes of discussion, councilman Mark Legband said he wanted to keep five lots to the east open so no one could purchase them for the time being. That would allow the situation to be analyzed further.
“We can see what happens and see if we need to make the retention pond bigger or whatever,” he said. “But we are listening and we want to help. I think that is the best compromise from what I’m hearing.”
Councilman Brad Yerger made a motion to continue the resolution so it will go back to the planning commission to redefine an outlot plat of five lots.
The motion carried 6-1.
In other business, the council considered the resolution to authorize application for a Community Development Block Grant on behalf of LifeHouse.
Lottie Mitchell, executive assistant and grants coordinator for the city, shared details about the request.
“We are applying for $450,000 on behalf of LifeHouse,” she said. “ All of those funds will be used toward the procurement of food and cover additional wages needed. There will be $12,500 applied to help cover the grant administration and the paperwork side of the grant. This is a 24-month funding cycle so they have two years to use those funds.”
Mitchell said there is some urgency in the request.
“LifeHouse Food Pantry has seen a 74 percent increase in demand during the pandemic,” she said. “They have been receiving free food supplies from the Food Bank of the Heartland, but that ends at the end of May. They’ve also been receiving a free food supply from Farm to Family food boxes, but that ends at the end of June. We’re hoping to wrap up this application and get it submitted before the end of May, so we can hopefully turn it around and get a notice of award.”
The resolution passed unanimously.
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