On Sept. 18, RMWB Council met to discuss flood mitigation options for Longboat Landing.
In the technical report, the administration considered three options: Flood Mitigation Only, Flood Mitigation and Land Use Bylaw Provisions, and Full Buyouts or Land Swaps.
Deputy CAO Matthew Hough said the RMWB recommends the following motion:
“THAT Administration continues with the Municipality’s planned structural flood mitigation project for Longboat Landing, limit development below 250 m, and introduce enhanced flood provisions in the Land Use Bylaw for new development above 250-meters.”
Hough added the motion calls for Council to advocate on behalf of Longboat Landing property owners to the Government of Alberta and Insurance Bureau of Canada.
Flood mitigation costs are $8.6-million, while the cost of a full buyout for the neighbourhood is $97.5-million.
The cost of buying out these properties based on 2020 assessed values plus reclamation is approximately $107.2M. Fair market values are not known and would be determined through appraisals and would only be conducted with Council approval to proceed. #rmwb #ymm
— rmwoodbuffalo (@RMWoodBuffalo) September 18, 2020
Extending structural mitigation to the 1:200 year flood level costs an additional $3.1-million.
“The capital funding required to complete planned structural flood mitigation is currently approved. Additional funding is not required for completion under the current scope.”
The administration also said buyouts for Longboat Landing, and not Downtown, would appear unbalanced.
Considering Longboat Landing would have the same structural flood mitigation as downtown properties, it could be inequitable to offer buy outs for Longboat Landing and not for Downtown. #rmwb #ymm
— rmwoodbuffalo (@RMWoodBuffalo) September 18, 2020
Hough thanked the residents from Longboat Landing for their participation in community engagement sessions.
He said they shared a lack of confidence in the structural mitigation and underground infrastructure.
Mayor and Councillors said they spoke with several area residents since the flood and received hundreds of emails asking for buyouts.
12 residents shared their thoughts at the Friday meeting and provided at least seven written submissions.
Many delegates such as Rob Miller expressed a strong desire for full buyouts among the community.
“This is what all victims are facing in Longboat Landing: Continued ownership of a property that was built on a flood plain and approved by the city to be built below the 250.5 M elevation [and] storm sewers with no backflow prevention. I site the following facts in my demand for a full buyout of my mortgage ($283,000.00), and a refund of my down payment on my property ($80,000.00).”
Miller criticized the administration, which approved the development of the neighbourhood on a floodplain while knowing the risks.
They also spoke of their inability to claim insurance due to overland flooding and argued development limits in the community would turn it into a “ghost town”.
According to 2018 Census data, 720 inhabitants make up Longboat Landing.
All 360 dwellings in the area are below the 250-meter line.
Council decision
RMWB Council debated and asked the administration about options before coming to a decision later that night.
Councillor Jane Stroud introduced a motion for the RMWB to elevate structural flood mitigation in the area.
Councillor Jane Stroud has made a motion “that administration complete the structural flood mitigation project for Longboat Landing to a 1:200 level (250.9m) by Oct. 15, 2021, limit development below 250m, and introduce enhanced flood provisions in the Land Use Bylaw…#rmwb #ymm
— rmwoodbuffalo (@RMWoodBuffalo) September 19, 2020
This would be consistent with structural mitigation in Taiga Nova, Downtown, and Waterways.
RELATED: Downtown residents critical of infrastructure performance
RELATED: Waterways residents call for structural mitigation, egress road progress
“…for development above 250m; that Council advocate on behalf of Longboat Landing property owners to the Government of Alberta and the Insurance Bureau of Canada; and that administration report back to Council on progress within 90 days.” #rmwb #ymm
— rmwoodbuffalo (@RMWoodBuffalo) September 19, 2020
RMWB Council approved the motion 7 – 1 with Councillor Krista Balsom dissenting.
Mayor Don Scott presented another motion addressing the insurance situation for Longboat Landing residents.
During the discussions, area homeowners and condo board owners spoke of the reluctance of companies to provide insurance.
Mayor Scott is making a motion “that a delegation, including the Mayor and members of administration, meet with Lloyd’s of London and any other companies that may be beneficial to consult with, to advocate of residents impacted by the 2020 flood for a direct market…#rmwb #ymm
— rmwoodbuffalo (@RMWoodBuffalo) September 19, 2020
This motion passed unanimously.
Mayor Scott also called for the creation of a pedestrian walkway as part of the flood mitigation work.
If approved, the deadline for the landscaping would be Oct. 15, 2022.
This includes a friendly amendment from Councillor Mike Allen.
Mayor Scott has accepted Councillor Mike Allen’s friendly amendment to request administration conduct public engagement and take into account feedback re: pedestrian walkway project. #rmwb #ymm
— rmwoodbuffalo (@RMWoodBuffalo) September 19, 2020
The walkway motion passed by a unanimous vote.
RMWB Council entered recess and will look to conclude the meeting on Sept. 21 starting at 4:00 p.m.
