The Wynne Planning Commission has advanced plans for a FEMA group site to the full Wynne City Council. The commission heard from Sylvianna Moya, a logistics management specialist from FEMA, who shared details for the site. Moya said FEMA approved a direct housing mission for Wynne following the March 31 tornado.
Moya noted requirements for a FEMA group site include proximity to services such as hospitals, schools, fire, and law enforcement. The agency also works closely with local and state partners to ensure all zoning and permitting requirements are met.
The manufactured homes planned for the site are HUD-compliant, two- and three-bedroom single-wide mobile homes. Monthly maintenance visits would be made, and there would be a hotline for emergency repairs.
Moya showed a 4-D video of the proposed site, which would include a paved road, walking path, green space, crosswalks, and a pet area. There would be a centralized place for mail, and a back fence along the property for security purposes. FEMA would also maintain an office on-site.
A spokeswoman for a group opposing the site in that location said property has been made available at 1107 and 1109 Mohr Road. However, that nearly 12-acre property is located in a flood zone. Blake Marotti, planning commission chairman, as well as Moya voiced concerns about an even lengthier delay should a different property be chosen.
Moya said it would take at least another two months for a different property to be vetted and construction on a group site will take upwards of five months. Being in a flood zone would also delay matters.
Marotti said time is of the essence to keep those residents affected in Wynne. He added no site is perfect, and any site chosen would not have 100% support.
Commissioners approved a measure to rezone the property on Nina Farms Road from agriculture to R-3 for the FEMA group site with Stanton Caradine abstaining.
In other news, the commission approved replotting 10 acres owned by Caldwell Family Enterprises LLC near the Wynne Sports Complex back to its original plot. A public hearing was also held on a text amendment to the Crossover Wynne wind farm project.
