A. Purpose: It is the purpose of this chapter to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare, and to minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions.
B. Methods Of Reducing Flood Losses: This chapter is designed for the wise planning and development of this community's floodplains to avoid conflict between its citizens' need to develop the land and nature's need to discharge floodwaters. Provisions of this chapter are designed to:
1. Protect human life and health;
2. Minimize the need of public expenditure for flood control projects;
3. Reduce the need for rescue and relief efforts;
4. Lessen prolonged business interruptions;
5. Minimize public utility and facility damages;
6. Maintain a stable tax base;
7. Ensure potential buyers are notified when property is in a flood hazard area;
8. Ensure residents of flood hazard areas are responsible for their actions.
In order to limit flood damages in the city, this chapter has provisions for restricting, prohibiting or guiding development activities that are subject to flood damage. (1975 Code § 4-5-1-3)