What is the status of Elm Grove Flood Control?
- On December 2, 2003, the Village Board selected a flood control plan to carry forward through the final engineering and design phase of the project.
- On January 1, 2004, the Village purchased the Villager Apartments property at 12650 Bluemound Road.
- The Village Board is in the final stages of hiring a firm to complete flood control final engineering and design, which will take about one year.
- In 2004, the Village is scheduled to purchase the Sleepy Hollow Motel at 12600 Bluemound Road and the former TV John Building at 13555 Juneau Boulevard.
- In 2004, the Village will develop a Tax Increment Financing District and Stormwater Utility, both of which will help to fund flood control implementation.
- Construction of the project will begin in 2005.
What are the components of the Selected Flood Control Plan?
Village Park Floodwater Storage
Wet floodwater storage will be constructed at the north end of Village Park. A
portion of this storage will remain wet at all times, with the entire area
filling with water during a flood. Native wetland species will be planted within
the site, enhancing the Park's existing wetland. Although trees will be removed
in the Park, every effort will be made to save the highest quality species. The
final location and design of this storage will be determined through the final
engineering and design phase to be completed this year.
Removal of Concrete Channel Liner
The concrete lining the bottom of Underwood Creek in Village Park will be
removed and the Creek will be reconstructed in a more natural state. This will
help to better control the amount of water flowing out of the Village Park
floodwater storage during a flood event.
Legion Post - TV John Storage
Dry floodwater storage will be excavated at the former location of the Legion
Post and former TV John Building (13555 Juneau Boulevard). This storage will
remain dry most of the time, filling with water during a flood event.
Underground Overflow Culvert
An underground overflow culvert will be constructed under Legion Drive, through
the Elm Grove Terrace Condominium property, and through the Department of Public
Works Yard. This culvert will be used to divert stormwater around downtown
during a flood event.
Villager Apartments - Sleepy Hollow Motel
Dry floodwater storage will be constructed at this location. This storage area
will remain dry most of the time, filling with water during a flood. The area
will be planted with native vegetation and the Village will explore using the
property for passive recreation, such as a walking trail. The final engineering
and design of this storage will occur this year.
Underwood Creek Culvert
At this time, the existing Underwood Creek culvert that is located under the
Sentry and Park & Shop parking lot will remain in its current condition;
however, the Village may work with the owner of the culvert in the future to
accommodate his or her plans for the property.
Download
a map of the Recommended Alternative.
How will flood control be funded?
Implementing the flood control plan is anticipated to cost about $12.2 million. The Village plans to fund flood control through a combination of outside grants, Tax Increment Finance District (TIF) funding, and a Stormwater Utility. The following table illustrates two possible flood control financing scenerios. Scenario A represents a situation whereby the Village does not receive any additional funding from outside sources. Scenario B assumes the Village will receive greater financial assistance from both the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District and the US Army Corps.
Why is it appropriate to use Tax Increment
Financing (TIF)
to Fund Flood Control?
Numerous commercial properties and single-family homes are located within the 100-year floodplain of Underwood Creek. FEMA regulations significantly limit new construction and improvements to existing buildings on these properties. This, coupled with the constant threat and reality of flooding, will likely lead to gradual property decline over time.
Flood control will reduce the size of the 100-year floodplain. Reducing the extent of floodplain within a property will automatically increase the value of that property because the floodplain reduction enables the property owner to redevelop or improve existing structures on his or her property.
Through TIF funding, the base tax revenue generated from the current property value continues to be distributed to all of the taxing entities. Only the additional tax revenue generated from the increased property value is directed towards flood control. Once flood control has been paid, and the TIF District retired, all of the additional tax revenue will be distributed to all of the taxing entities.
The significant increased property value, and resulting additional tax revenue will not occur without flood control. Therefore, it is very appropriate to use TIF funding to pay for flood control expenses.
Who Approves the use of TIF Funds?
By Wisconsin Statute, a Joint Review Board is formed to oversee and approve the use of TIF Funds. The Joint Review Board includes two representatives of the Village, and one representative each from the Elmbrook School District, Waukesha County, and the Waukesha County Technical College.
In addition to flood control, the Village might use some TIF funds to cover the cost of the necessary reconstruction of Watertown Plank Road, the replacement of the Watertown Plank Road bridge, and other improvements that enhance property values within the District.
The Village Plan Commission and Joint Review Board must still determine which projects are appropriate for use of TIF funding.
Stormwater Utility
The Village proposes to use a stormwater utility
to fund the balance of the flood control project that cannot be supported
through Tax Increment Financing (TIF).
Although a stormwater utility fee will appear on annual tax bills, it is a
dedicated fee that can only be used to fund flood control and stormwater
activities.
Additional information about the use of a stormwater utility, along with a
separate open house, is currently planned for later this year.
Newsletters
Flood Control Newsletter 1 – April 2003 (1.5MB*)
Flood Control Newsletter 2 - July 2003 (2.1MB**)
Flood Control Newsletter 3 - October 2003 (2.3 MB**)
Flood Control Newsletter 4 - March 2004 (2.1 MB**)
*Download time approximately 3.5 minutes over 56K connection.
**Download time approximately 5 minutes over 56K connection.
Note: Download Files are in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. PDF plug-ins in Internet Explorer do not support the level of graphics included in the maps below. For a quick overview, use ".jpg image". For clearer detail, view map in full Adobe PDF Reader by first downloading the image to a local drive.
To download:
Right click on the Adobe icon for the desired alternative
Left click on "Save Target as..."
Make note of the file location - click on "Save"
Find file and double click on it to open.***
*** Get
Adobe Acrobat Reader. 
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Last modified: 03/25/04
13600 Juneau Boulevard