23-25 Amending Chapter 6, Article 9, of the South Bend Municipal Code to Update the Regulations for Flood Damage Prevention

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FLOODPLAIN CODE Sec. 6-38.1. —Statutory Authorization, Findings of Fact, Purpose, and Methods (1) Statutory Authorization The Indiana Legislature has in IC 36-1-4-11 granted the power to local government units to control land use within their jurisdictions. Therefore, the Common Council of the City of South Bend hereby adopts the following floodplain management regulations. (2) Findings of Fact The flood hazard areas of St. Joseph County within the city limits of the City of South Bend, herein after referred to as the City, are subject to periodic inundation which results in loss of life and property, health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and governmental services, extraordinary public expenditures for flood protection and relief, and impairment of the tax base,all of which adversely affect the public health, safety,and general welfare. Additionally, structures that are inadequately elevated, floodproofed, or otherwise protected from flood damage also contribute to the flood loss. In order to minimize the threat of such damages and to achieve the purposes hereinafter set forth,these regulations are adopted. (3) Statement of Purpose It is the purpose of this ordinance to promote the public health,safety, and general welfare and to minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions in specific areas by provisions designed to: (a) Protect human life and health. (b) Minimize expenditure of public money for costly flood control projects. (c) Minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding and generally undertaken at the expense of the general public. (d) Minimize prolonged business interruptions. (e) Minimize damage to public facilities and utilities such as water and gas mains, electric,telephone, and sewer lines, streets, and bridges located in floodplains. (f) 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 flood blight areas. (g) Ensure that those who occupy the areas of special flood hazard assume responsibility for their actions. (h) Minimize the impact of development on adjacent properties within and near flood prone areas. (i) Ensure that the flood storage and conveyance functions of the floodplain are maintained. (j) Minimize the impact of development on the natural, beneficial values of the floodplain. 2