City officials brief Tompkins legislators on ADU proposal and new FEMA flood maps

City of Ithaca representatives updated the Tompkins County Legislature on two near-term policy matters: a proposal to allow accessory dwelling units as a right in most residential zones, and the impact of newly revised FEMA flood maps on homeowners.

A city official said the ADU proposal is scheduled for a public hearing and a vote at the city’s upcoming meetings, and described it as a measure to expand housing options across the city. On flood risk, the official said the new FEMA maps will increase the number of properties required to carry flood insurance when homeowners have federally backed mortgages and cited an estimate that about 160 downtown properties will be newly affected.

Legislators asked follow-up questions about how homeowners will be notified and what help is available for residents who cannot access online resources. The city representative directed residents first to the City of Ithaca website and to the federal flood insurance program’s contact numbers for more information, and offered to supply a phone number for those who cannot go online.

The briefing also covered the FEMA Community Rating System (CRS) program and local mitigation options that can lower flood insurance premiums, such as green infrastructure; the official estimated modest CRS savings (5–10%) are achievable with existing city actions and suggested the city could pursue higher reductions with more investments.

County members said they will monitor implementation, community outreach, and potential impacts on residents who rely on paper notices.