Shared-cost flood control plan proposed
by BRIAN NADIG
The City Council Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development on Tuesday, Aug. 18, will hold a public hearing regarding a shared-cost flood control program ordinance proposed by Alderman Anthony Napolitano (41st).
"We are one step closer to offering homeowners financial assistance for flood control," Napolitano said in his Aug. 7 newsletter. "This program will offer financial assistance to homeowners so they can install flood control measures to protect one of their most valuable assets, their home."
Eleven aldermen have signed on as co-sponsors of the proposed ordinance, Napolitano said.
"We have also been in discussions with the Metropolitan Planning Council and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District who are both very interested in assisting with the program," he said.
The proposed ordinance calls for the city departments of Water Management and Buildings to work on a cost-sharing program in which the city and property owners would each pay a portion of the costs of flood control measures for homes and other structures.
It also calls for the departments to explore "additional flood relief measures for new developments to ease the flow of storm water to the city’s sewer system, including green infrastructure installations."
The virtual hearing is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. and will be available to view online at https:// chicityclerk.com/.
In addition, the committee will accept written public comments on the proposal through 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17, via e-mail at ectd@ cityofchicago.org.
