Decision on floodplain rule delayed
Board wants more specificity
Staff writer
A proposed floodplain management ordinance for Hillsboro would require any new construction in identified floodplain areas have their lowest floor at least one foot above the 100-year flood level.
The 100-year flood level is the elevation that has a 1 percent annual chance of flooding. Only a small portion of the city is in a 100-year flood area: a small portion of Hillsboro Heights and some areas near Ash Street south of D Street.
A new floodplain ordinance is mandated by the state — which manages the flood insurance program. Additionally, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has released new flood maps for the area.
After reviewing the proposed ordinance Thursday, Hillsboro Community Planning and Development Commission delayed making a recommendation to the city council.
Commissioners wanted a blank left for the maximum fine for violations filled with input from the city attorney, and they wanted several optional standards incorporated in the main text of the ordinance.
Additional standards they wanted added included relaxed standards for agricultural and accessory structures, tighter standards for emergency facilities, explicit prohibition of hazardous materials in flood areas, and rules for temporary structures.