The Washington State Legislature has delegated the responsibility to each community to adopt floodplain management regulations consistent with the National Flood Insurance Program designed to promote the public health, safety and general welfare of its citizenry. The State Legislature also has established that floodplains and other areas subject to flooding perform important hydrologic functions, and as such they must also be regulated as critical areas under the Growth Management Act (GMA). This article addresses both mandates as an integrated set of regulations.
The flood hazard areas of the City of Kenmore, which encompass the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) designated areas of special flood hazard, are subject to periodic inundation which may result 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. These flood losses may be caused by the cumulative effect of development in areas of flood hazard which increase flood heights and velocities.
Uses that are inadequately floodproofed, elevated, anchored, or otherwise protected from flood damage contribute to flood losses and may cause damage in other areas. The purpose of this article is to establish minimum standards for developments located within or adjacent to flood hazard areas, including areas of special flood hazard. The following statements describe the purpose of this article:
A.
Protect human life and health;
B.
Minimize expenditure of public money and costly flood control projects;
C.
Minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding;
D.
Minimize prolonged business interruptions;
E.
Minimize damage to public infrastructure, facilities and utilities;
F.
Minimize damage to critical fish and wildlife habitat areas;
G.
Protect frequently flooded areas that provide natural and beneficial ecological functions, including providing vital habitat to support salmon and other fish and wildlife species;
H.
Ensure that potential buyers are notified that property is in a flood hazard area;
I.
Ensure that those who occupy flood hazard areas assume responsibility for their actions; and
J.
Qualify for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program, thereby providing owners located within the mapped area of special flood hazard the opportunity to purchase flood insurance.
(Ord. 19-0488 § 2 (Exh. 1))