Planning & Zoning Commission grants request by Traditions Management for replatting of easements

Traditions Management has cleared a hurdle in its attempt to construct a 70-unit assisted living facility in the Riverwalk subdivision.

By a 3-2 vote Monday night, the Decorah Planning & Zoning Commission decided to recommend that easements on the property be replatted so that storm sewer lines would not have to be built underneath the development.

The commission's discussion centered around questions about flooding concerns on the property and adjacent properties.  City Engineer Lindsay Erdman assured the commission that a revised utility plan would work to drain away storm water.  The development will create several storage ponds that will allow rainwater to drain more slowly.

Erdman also stated that rainwater erosion would not be a large concern because the property is flat, so the water would pond rather than eroding the nearby dike.

The Planning & Zoning Commission's vote will be reported to the Decorah City council, which will hold a public hearing on the issue on Monday, February 8th.