CEDAR FALLS - Any changes to the city's flood plain regulations are at least a month out, but the Planning and Zoning Commission already has gotten a clear message from those who live near the river.

At a meeting Wednesday and another one week prior, residents of Cottage Row Road have made it clear they like living near the river and can deal with the occasional flood.

For the second straight week dozens of Cottage Row residents came to tell the Planning and Zoning Commission that proposed changes to the city flood plain ordinance would harm their neighborhood, a place they have no intention of leaving despite last summer's record flood.

"We've got an enclave of people out there that live on the river and experience floods. For a lot of people they can't understand that," said Jim Sheerer, who lives on the street.

City Planner Marty Ryan said the city has long done its flood planning based on a 100-year flood. That includes required elevation of homes in the flood plain and restrictions on building in the flood plain. A 100-year flood means there is a 1 percent chance of that flood happening in a given year.

"We had that flood last year. We have not had a 100-year flood before that," Ryan said. "Last year we not only met that, but it was much, much more severe," Ryan said.

Proposed changes to the flood plain ordinance would encourage phasing out homes in the floodway, the areas nearest waterways that are most prone to flooding. The city would prohibit any new construction in the floodway and not allow existing buildings to be replaced if they are severely damaged or deteriorated.

The flood plain ordinance would apply throughout the city, but would most apply to the Cottage Row neighborhood, as it is entirely in the floodway.

"The proposed ordinance more clearly states no residential structures in the floodway," Ryan said, noting that the existing ordinance already prohibits building in the floodway, but the language is not as strong and exceptions have been granted frequently.

Cottage Row residents told the commission that they take care of themselves and most of the homes are built with flooding in mind. Many of the homes are built with first floors that are simply made of concrete and not finished. Living areas are elevated out of the reach of flood waters and the lower level can be more easily cleaned.

Matt Miller said Cottage Row residents prepare well for floods and clean up after floods, they don't require much help from the city.

"That's what we do. We live in the floodway, and we know when the water is coming up," Miller said.

The Planning and Zoning Commission took no action on proposed ordinance changes Wednesday. They will revisit the issue next month, when a public hearing will be conducted.

City staff plan to meet with Cottage Row residents in the next month to share ideas.

Contact Jon Ericson at (319) 291-1461 or jonathan.ericson@wcfcourier.com.