|
Flood plan changes approved |
|
Written by Administrator
|
|
Friday, 11 September 2009 |
County officials approved changes to a flood plain management plan Tuesday that will prevent the county from losing its eligibility for federal emergency programs.
County officials approved changes to a flood plain management plan Tuesday that will prevent the county from losing its eligibility for federal emergency programs.
The Fiscal Court approved two amendments to Ordinance No. 920.1 that regulates development in local flood zones. Judge-Executive Blaine Phillips says the amendments would allow the 1996 ordinance to meet “minimum federal standards.”
The court was to have approved a new federally recommended ordinance by September 2, but after two attempts of bringing the issue before the court, magistrates failed to give a motion. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials told Judge Phillips the lack of passage of the ordinance would cost the county eligibility to FEMA disaster funds, inclusion in the National Flood Insurance Program as well as affect federally backed home mortgages.
Court members, in recent months, pointed to a 1996 ordinance the county already had on the books, one similar to what the feds recommended. The county attempted to get that ordinance approved by the federal government, but that could not take place without the two amendments made to the ordinance.
The amendments, which were passed on a first reading Tuesday, defines the local flood zones and includes a severability clause. The court will hold a second reading of the ordinance in the coming weeks, in hopes of passing the amended ordinance prior to a new October 2 deadline set by FEMA.
If passed, the ordinance will regulate construction in flood zones, primarily along Marsh Creek, including requiring a permit for construction and limiting construction to federally approved flood construction standards.
“This will actually help us,” Judge Phillips said Tuesday following approval of the first reading. “It is not an insurance policy, but in case we need FEMA money this will put us in compliance and enable us to work with FEMA if we need to.”
Phillips had said on prior occasions the county could not afford to lose the protection and availability of resources FEMA could provide to the county were a disaster to occur.
Passage did not occur during previous attempts of Phillips to bring the ordinance before the court due to several magistrates questioning FEMA’s motives in recommending the ordinance and unwillingness to enforce such measures on their own. Magistrate Roger Phillips questioned why the court was required to impose development restrictions on its citizens, especially given the lack of privately owned land in the county. Judge Phillips brought the ordinance before Magistrate Phillips in May and June to no avail.
Magistrate Judy Redden made the motion for passage of the ordinance amendments on Tuesday with Magistrate Phillips giving a second and putting the issue to a vote. The measure unanimously passed (Magistrate Ted Coffey was absent from the meeting).
A special session will be held at 11 a.m. on September 21 for final passage of the measure. Judge Phillips said anyone with questions or concerns regarding the ordinance should call his office at (606) 376-2413 or visit his office to see the ordinance in its entirety.
|
