Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Floodplain Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council adopts text amendment to update flood-insurance maps to align with FEMA
Summary
After a presentation from the planning department, the council approved a text amendment to update the city's development ordinance to reference FEMA's updated flood insurance rate maps; staff said maps changed due to improved LIDAR, development and storm patterns.
The High Point City Council held a public hearing and voted to adopt text amendment 26-02 to update the city's development ordinance (section 6.401) so its referenced flood insurance rate maps align with FEMA's updated maps.
Sam Hennett, senior planner in the planning and development department, explained that FEMA periodically updates flood maps—partly because of improved LIDAR topographic data, changes in impervious surfaces caused by development and an increase in intense storm events. Hennett reviewed the local process in Guilford County (a December 2024–March 2025 comment period, FEMA's letter of final determination in December 2025 and a county adoption on May 7 with an effective date of June 10, 2026) and recommended the council adopt the ordinance update. No members of the public spoke for the hearing and the council approved the amendment by voice vote.
Why it matters: Adopting the text amendment aligns local rules with FEMA and Guilford County timelines; properties that move into or out of mapped flood zones can face insurance, permitting and development impacts.
