A. Statutory Authority: The Legislature of the State of Idaho, pursuant to Idaho Code sections 46-1020, 46-1022, 46-1023, and 46-1024 authorizes local governments to adopt floodplain management ordinances that identify floodplains and minimum floodplain development standards to minimize flood hazards and protect human life, health, and property. Therefore, the City Council of the City of Hailey, Idaho, does hereby ordain as follows.
B. Statement Of Purpose: The purpose of this article is to promote public health, safety, and general welfare and to minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions in specific areas by provisions designed to:
1. Protect human life, health, and property;
2. Minimize damage to public facilities and utilities such as water purification and sewage treatment plants, water and gas mains, electric, telephone and sewer lines, streets, and bridges located in floodplains;
3. Help maintain a stable tax base by providing for the sound use and development of flood prone areas;
4. Minimize expenditure of public money for costly flood control projects;
5. Minimize the need for rescue and emergency services associated with flooding, generally undertaken at the expense of the general public;
6. Minimize prolonged business interruptions;
7. Ensure potential buyers are notified the property is in an area of special flood hazard;
8. Ensure those who occupy the areas of special flood hazard assume responsibility for their actions;
9. Minimize the expense and inconvenience to property owners and the general public associated with flood conditions;
10. Preserve the natural characteristics of watercourses and natural protective barriers that help channel floodwater;
11. Preserve, protect and enhance the fish, wildlife and riparian plant habitats; and
12. Provide a formal procedure for proposed developments and other encroachments in the floodplain or floodway and for stream alterations.
C. Objectives And Methods Of Reducing Flood Losses: In order to accomplish its purpose, this article includes methods and provisions to:
1. Require that development which is vulnerable to floods, including structures and facilities necessary for the general health, safety, and welfare of citizens, be protected against flood damage at the time of initial construction;
2. Restrict or prohibit uses which are dangerous to health, safety, and property due to water or erosion hazards, or which increase flood heights, velocities, or erosion;
3. Control filling, grading, dredging, and other development which may increase flood damage or erosion;
4. Prevent or regulate the construction of flood barriers that will unnaturally divert flood waters or that may increase flood hazards to other lands; and
5. Preserve and restore natural floodplains, stream channels, and natural protective barriers which carry and store flood waters. (Ord. 1234, 2018)