It is the purpose of this subchapter to protect and promote the public health, safety, and general welfare by preventing the loss of life and/or public and private economic loss due to landslides, floods, erosion, and sedimentation pollution. It is further the purpose of this subchapter to protect our existing environmental resources, including steep slopes, flood plains, stream corridors, wetlands, watershed and groundwater recharge areas, soils, forest stands, specimen trees, and other significant vegetation and wildlife, which are of economic value to the town and its citizens and make Franklin a desirable place to live and visit. In furtherance of this purpose, the regulations contained herein are designed to accomplish the following:
(A) Restrict or prohibit uses that are or may be dangerous to health, safety, and property or that may result in damaging increases in erosion, flood heights, or velocities;
(B) Require that uses and infrastructure vulnerable to the movement of earth or flooding be protected against such damage at the time of initial construction;
(C) Control the alteration of steep slopes, natural flood plains, stream channels, and natural protective barriers, which are involved in the accommodation of floodgates;
(D) Control filling, grading, dredging, and all other development that may increase erosion or flood damage;
(E) Require that storm waters that may damage property, increase flood hazards, or pollute surface waters be adequately controlled and treated.
(Ord. passed 10-1-07)