(A) Objectives. It is the purpose of this chapter to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare of the community and to minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions in specific areas by provisions designed to:
(1) Protect human life and health;
(2) Minimize damage to public infrastructure, including, but not limited to, utilities, streets, and bridges that are susceptible to flooding;
(3) Minimize prolonged business interruptions caused by flooding;
(4) Minimize public expenditures on flood control projects;
(5) Minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding and are generally undertaken at the expense of the public;
(6) Protect and safeguard the welfare and safety of first responders should an emergency response be needed;
(7) Help maintain a stable tax base by providing for the sound use and development of flood-prone areas in such a manner as to minimize future flood blight areas; and
(8) Promote that potential buyers are notified if properties are in a flood area.
(B) Methods of reducing flood losses. To accomplish the purposes outlined in division (A) above, this chapter applies the following methods:
(1) Restrict or prohibit land uses that are dangerous to health, safety, or property in times of flooding, or cause excessive increases in flood heights or velocities;
(2) Require that land uses vulnerable to floods, including facilities that serve such uses, be protected against flood damage at the time of initial construction;
(3) Regulate the alteration of natural floodplains, stream channels, and natural protective barriers, which are involved in the accommodation of floodwaters;
(4) Regulate filling, grading, dredging, and other developments that may increase flood damage; and
(5) Prevent or regulate the construction of flood barriers that will unnaturally divert floodwaters or that may increase flood hazards to other lands.
(Ord. 2106-34, passed 6-22-2021)