11.50.140 Frequently flooded areas.
(a) Classification. The following classification system will be used to determine the level of protection necessary for frequently flooded areas:
(1) Class I. The floodway of any river or stream as designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); and draws, alluvials and flood channels that are not mapped by FEMA but are areas of local concern that have a historical reoccurrence of flood events characterized by significant damage due to flood flows.
(2) Class II. All areas mapped by FEMA as a one-hundred-year floodplain; and those areas of local concern that experience reoccurrence of flooding that are characterized by damage due primarily to inundation.
(b) Designation. The city designates the areas of special flood hazard (including special flood risk zones) in addition to the general provisions of this section and the requirements of the underlying zoning district; the following minimum standards shall apply to the development activities within and adjacent to wetland areas.
(c) Standards. In addition to the general provisions of these regulations and the requirements of the underlying zoning district, the following minimum standards shall apply to development activities within and adjacent to frequently flooded areas:
(1) All development within frequently flooded areas shall be reviewed under and subject to the requirements of the city of Selah's flood damage prevention regulations (Chapter 11.19).
(2) All development within frequently flooded areas shall be consistent with the goals, objectives, findings, and recommendations of the city's comprehensive land use plan and flood damage prevention plan. The flood damage prevention plan, along with the city's comprehensive land use plan, provides a policy basis for management of flood hazard areas.
(3) Where practical, development activities shall be coordinated with structural activities recommended in the flood damage prevention plan.
(4) Where frequently flooded areas coincide with other designated critical areas, critical areas reports and mitigation plans shall address any combined functions and values.
(5) In all cases where mitigation measures are proposed, said measures shall be consistent with the city's flood damage prevention plan.
(6) Filling and grading in frequently flooded areas shall occur only upon a determination by a qualified professional that the filling or grading will not increase flood hazards to others.
(7) Subdivision in frequently flooded areas will be subject to the following:
(A) All lots created shall have adequate building space outside flood hazard areas, including the floodway, one-hundred-year floodplain, and channel migration zones;
(B) Plat maps shall indicate the floodway and/or the one-hundred-year floodplain;
(C) Subdivisions shall be designed to minimize or eliminate the potential for flood damage; and
(D) Subdivisions shall provide for storm water drainage, in accordance with city standards, so as to reduce exposure to flood hazards.
(8) Bank Stabilization Projects. Where consistent with other regulations and with the flood damage prevention plan, protection of structures, public roadways or sole access routes in existence before April 22, 2014, shall be allowed. Such projects shall be designed to minimize adverse impacts to property, public improvements, and ecological functions. (Ord. 2124, § 2 (Att.), 2021.)