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Mosier adopts 2024 Oregon model floodplain rules in emergency action to preserve federal insurance eligibility
Summary
The council adopted Ordinance #203 to align Mosier's floodplain regulations with the 2024 Oregon model ordinance and declared an emergency to meet state and federal deadlines; staff will produce property-level maps and invite FEMA or DLCD for further briefings.
City Planner Jaime Crawford told the council the city must update its floodplain regulations to remain eligible for the federal flood insurance program and outlined three options: prohibit development in floodplains, adopt a permit-by-permit biological approach, or adopt the 2024 Oregon model floodplain ordinance. Jaime recommended the model update as the least disruptive while meeting FEMA and DLCD requirements.
Some council members and public commenters said they lacked precise property-level flood maps and wanted more information before major changes. Public commenter Todd Reeves urged postponing action until property impacts were clear; resident Jayne Elkin said she had met with Jaime and, following that discussion, supported the staff recommendation while noting concerns about her property. Mayor Witt Anderson emphasized urgency, saying people risked losing flood insurance if the council did not act: "people could lose insurance coverage if the council didn't adopt the ordinance now," he said.
Council completed first and second readings of Ordinance #203, declared an emergency to satisfy state and federal adoption deadlines, and voted to adopt the ordinance. The council also requested that staff provide detailed maps showing which properties the new designations would affect and to arrange a FEMA or DLCD representative to brief the council.
