Madison Commission approves first reading of flood ordinance to align with new FEMA maps

The Madison City Commission on a voice vote approved the first reading of ordinance 1673, a repeal-and-replace of Chapter 18 to align the city's flood regulations with updated FEMA flood maps set to take effect on Nov. 21, 2024.

City staff member Jay Ryan told the commission the change reflects FEMA's new mapping and the city's decision to adopt a model ordinance rather than amend the current code. "Our new FEMA flood maps are finally going to come into effect here. 11/21/2024 is when that... the data that those maps will go into effect," Ryan said, adding that the ordinance adds a provision authorizing use of "best available data" when it differs from FEMA maps.

Commissioners asked how much the maps changed and whether properties removed from mapped zones would have deed restrictions lifted. Ryan said some areas saw substantial change while others saw little; he stressed that "the buyouts, the deed restrictions, and all the requirements to retain ownership of those properties remains the same, whether it's in the flood zone or which flood zone it is." He offered to research whether any administrative process exists to request changes to deed restrictions.

Ryan also said the regulatory floodway has contracted in some locations, citing the area near Fourth Street as an example where the floodway receded from its previous limits. The commission did not delay action: a motion and second were recorded and the first reading carried by voice vote.

Next steps include additional legislative readings as required by the city's ordinance adoption process and staff follow-up to clarify any property-status questions raised by commissioners.