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Planning commission backs floodplain overlay rewrite to comply with FEMA maps
Summary
The Brookings County Planning and Zoning Commission voted Jan. 7 to recommend replacing the county’s floodplain/flood damage prevention chapter with updated FEMA-compliant language tied to the April 23, 2025 updated flood insurance rate map; staff said adoption is needed to keep federally backed loans and flood insurance in good standing.
On Jan. 7, 2025, the Brookings County Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend amending the county zoning ordinance by replacing chapter 4.05 (floodplain/flood damage prevention) and renaming the district to the Floodplain Overlay District to align with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) updated flood insurance rate map dated April 23, 2025.
The rewrite matters because staff said the change is FEMA-recommended and that failure to adopt FEMA-compliant language could affect federally backed loans and flood insurance requirements for property owners.
Richard (county staff) read the staff report and said the amendment is to bring the zoning ordinance into compliance with the FEMA national flood insurance program and the new FIRMs. Luke (county planning staff) told the commission, “This is a requirement of federal of the federal government to update your floodplain regulations…what staff has proposed here is exactly what the Federal Emergency Management Agency has recommended that your county adopt in order to remain compliant with their requirements.”
At the meeting staff said the county will send letters to 14 property owners who would be affected by the ordinance change. A commenter in the meeting record observed that properties not elevated could face higher insurance costs if the county did not adopt the update. At least one speaker noted FEMA correspondence indicating that holders of federally backed loans could see loan consequences if flood insurance compliance lapses.
Commissioner Paulson moved to recommend approval; Kyle VanderWaal seconded. The commission recorded a voice vote and the motion passed. The recommendation will go to the County Commission for publication, public notice and a public hearing; if the County Commission approves the ordinance, it will take effect according to the notice of adoption schedule.
Next steps: staff will transmit the recommended ordinance to the County Commission for public notice and hearing; letters to affected property owners will be mailed and the County Commission will consider final adoption.
