Uncontrolled development and use of the shoreland-wetlands, floodplains, river and streams, and the pollution of the navigable waters of this municipality would adversely affect the public health, safety, convenience, and general welfare and impair the tax base. The Legislature of Wisconsin has delegated responsibility to all municipalities to further the maintenance of safe and healthful conditions; prevent and control water pollution; protect spawning grounds, fish and aquatic life; control building sites, placement of structures and land uses; and preserve shore cover and natural beauty.
[Amended 5-25-2010 by Ord. No. 1030]
The purpose of this chapter is to provide a uniform basis for the preparation, implementation and administration of sound floodplain regulations for all floodplains within the City of Neillsville to:
A.
Protect life, health and property;
B.
Maintain the storm- and floodwater storage capacity of wetlands;
C.
Prevent and control water pollution by preserving wetlands which filter or store sediments, nutrients, heavy metals or organic compounds that would otherwise drain into navigable waters;
D.
Protect fish spawning grounds, fish, aquatic life and wildlife by preserving wetlands and other fish and aquatic habitat;
E.
Prohibit certain uses detrimental to the shoreland-wetland area;
F.
Preserve shore cover and natural beauty by restricting shoreland-wetland excavation, filling and other earth moving activities;
G.
Minimize expenditures of public monies for costly flood control projects;
H.
Reduce rescue and relief efforts, generally undertaken at the expense of the tax paying public;
I.
Prevent business interruptions which usually result in the loss of local income;
J.
Reduce damage to public facilities such as utilities, municipal buildings, streets and bridges which may be located in the floodplains;
K.
Prevent the occurrence of future flood blight areas on floodplains;
L.
Discourage the victimization of unwary land and home buyers;
M.
Prevent increases in regional flood heights which could increase damage during floods and which may result in conflicts or litigation between property owners; and
N.
Discourage development in a floodplain if there is any practicable alternative to locate the activity, use or structure outside of the floodplain.
This chapter shall be known as the "Floodplain and Shoreland-Wetland Zoning Ordinance for the City of Neillsville, Wisconsin."