A significant discussion unfolded at the Stormwater Management Commission meeting on September 4, 2025, as an applicant sought approval for a project that would introduce 12,562 cubic yards of uncompensated fill within a floodplain, potentially causing a 0.04-foot rise in base flood elevation. Metro Water Services expressed concerns, urging the applicant to reduce the amount of fill to mitigate flood risks.

Mary McGowan, representing the applicant, outlined plans to enhance the site, which has been owned since 2009. The proposed changes include adding truck bays, relocating a maintenance building, and increasing employee parking to accommodate shift changes. The site, developed in the 1980s, is entirely within the floodplain, complicating the proposed modifications.

The applicant aims to reduce impervious surfaces by 1.04 acres and implement substantial landscaping to offset the requested variances, which include encroachments into floodway buffers. Notably, the project intends to remove existing buildings from the floodway, decreasing encroachments from 8,504 square feet to 2,145 square feet.

Despite the proposed changes, the project still anticipates a slight rise in floodplain elevation. The applicant plans to work with FEMA to address this change, ensuring compliance with regulations. The meeting concluded with a call for public comments, although no votes were taken, as this was a preliminary discussion aimed at gathering feedback and refining the proposal. The commission's deliberations will play a crucial role in determining the project's future and its impact on flood management in the area.