§ 17-4. Purpose.

(a)

The purpose of this chapter is to provide floodplain management regulations for all subdivision of land, construction of dwelling, commercial or industrial structures, or uses which may divert, retard or obstruct floodwater and threaten public health, safety or the general welfare, and provide for the establishment of minimum flood protection elevations and flood damage prevention requirements for uses, structures and facilities which are vulnerable to flood damage; provide for the coordination by the council with all other interested and affected political subdivisions and state agencies, and to minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions in specific areas by provisions designed:

(1)

To protect human life and health;

(2)

To minimize expenditure of public money for costly flood control projects;

(3)

To minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding and generally undertaken at the expense of the general public;

(4)

To minimize prolonged business interruptions;

(5)

To minimize damage to public facilities and utilities such as water and gas mains, electric, telephone and sewer lines, streets and bridges located in areas of special flood hazard;

(6)

To help maintain a stable tax base by providing for the second use and development of areas of special flood hazard so as to minimize future flood blight areas;

(7)

To insure that potential buyers are notified that property is in an area of special flood hazard;

(8)

To insure that those who occupy the areas of special flood hazard assume responsibility for their actions; and,

(9)

To maintain eligibility for state disaster relief.

(b)

In order to accomplish its purposes, this chapter includes methods and provisions for:

(1)

Restricting or prohibiting uses which are dangerous to health, safety and property due to water or erosion hazards, or which result in damaging increases in erosion or in flood heights or velocities;

(2)

Requiring that uses vulnerable to floods, including facilities which serve such uses, be protected against flood damage at the time of initial construction;

(3)

Controlling the alteration of natural floodplains, stream channels, and natural protective barriers, which help accommodate or channel flood waters;

(4)

Controlling filling, grading, dredging and other development which may increase flood damage; and,

(5)

Preventing or regulating the construction of flood barriers which will unnaturally divert flood waters or which may increase flood hazards in other areas.

(6)

These regulations take precedence over any less restrictive conflicting local laws, ordinances and codes.

(Res. No. 4742, § 1(Exh. A), 11-13-13)