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Gardner to update floodplain overlay to match new FEMA FIRM maps effective July 8, 2025
Summary
City planners recommended amendments to the Floodplain Protection Overlay District to align local zoning with revised FEMA flood insurance rate maps; the city must update the bylaw to remain in the National Flood Insurance Program by the July 8, 2025 effective date.
The Gardner City Council and Planning Board held a joint public hearing June 9, 2025 on a zoning amendment to update the Floodplain Protection Overlay District (Chapter 6.75) to conform to revised Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood insurance rate maps (FIRM) that take effect July 8, 2025.
Director Stevens and the city engineering office said the amendments are largely bookkeeping to align local definitions and procedures with the state model and FEMA requirements. Director Stevens explained that the Department of Conservation and Recreation contacted the city as part of the FIRM updates, and that the revisions are required for continued participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). He told the hearing the city must complete the update by July 8 to remain compliant.
City Engineer (identified in the hearing as Dave) said mapping changes are not extensive but noted that in some places updated mapping has “tightened up and shrunk down a little bit,” meaning some previously mapped floodplain areas may be reduced, and he encouraged property owners to consult the updated maps posted on the city website. The engineering office provided certified correspondence received from FEMA to the city clerk as part of the record, the administration said.
Mike Nicholson, speaking for the administration, said the city supports the amendment and reiterated that the changes are necessary to ensure residents’ access to flood insurance and to implement technical changes FEMA requires.
No speakers registered formal opposition during the public comment period. The joint public hearing for item 11519 was opened and closed on June 9; no final ordinance vote was recorded at the hearing.
The amendments described by staff would replace outdated local definitions with the state‑model language and do not change the underlying prohibitions or allowed uses in the Floodplain Protection Overlay District, staff said. The city’s posting on the Department of Community Development and Planning and engineering web pages will include the updated maps and links to FEMA guidance, staff added.
