This chapter shall apply to all areas of special flood hazard
within the jurisdiction of the Town of Highlands, Orange County.
A.
The areas of special flood hazard for the Town of Highlands, Community
Number 361251, are identified and defined on the following documents
prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency:
(1)
Flood Insurance Rate Map Panel Numbers 36071C0342E, 36071C0343E,
36071C0344E, 36071C0361E, 36071C0362E, 36071C0363E, 36071C0364E, 36071C0502E,
36071C0504E, 36071C0510E, 36071C0520E, 36071C0526E, 36071C0527E, 36071C0528E,
36071C0529E, 36071C0540E whose effective date is August 3, 2009, and
any subsequent revisions to these map panels that do not affect areas
under our community's jurisdiction.
(2)
A scientific and engineering report entitled, "Flood Insurance Study,
Orange County, New York, All Jurisdictions," dated August 3, 2009.
B.
The above documents are hereby adopted and declared to be a part
of this chapter. The Flood Insurance Study and/or maps are on file
at the Town of Highlands Building Department, 254 Main Street, Highland
Falls, New York 10928, or such other address as the Building Department
may relocate to from time to time.
A.
This chapter includes all revisions to the National Flood Insurance
Program through March 20, 1997 and shall supersede all previous laws
adopted for the purpose of flood damage prevention.
B.
In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this chapter
shall be held to be minimum requirements, adopted for the promotion
of the public health, safety, and welfare. Whenever the requirements
of this chapter are at variance with the requirements of any other
lawfully adopted rules, regulations, ordinances, or local laws, the
most restrictive, or that imposing the higher standards, shall govern.
The invalidity of any section or provision of this chapter shall
not invalidate any other section or provision thereof.
No structure in an area of special flood hazard shall hereafter be constructed, located, extended, converted, or altered and no land shall be excavated or filled without full compliance with the terms of this chapter and any other applicable regulations. Any infraction of the provisions of this chapter by failure to comply with any of its requirements, including infractions of conditions and safeguards established in connection with conditions of the permit, shall constitute a violation. Any person who violates this chapter or fails to comply with any of its requirements shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined no more than $250 or imprisoned for not more than 15 days, or both. Each day of noncompliance shall be considered a separate offense. Nothing herein contained shall prevent the Town of Highlands from taking such other lawful action as necessary to prevent or remedy an infraction. Any structure found not compliant with the requirements of this chapter for which the developer and/or owner has not applied for and received an approved variance under Article VI will be declared noncompliant and notification will be sent to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The degree of flood protection required by this chapter is considered
reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on scientific and
engineering considerations. Larger floods can and will occur on rare
occasions. Flood heights may be increased by man-made or natural causes.
This chapter does not imply that land outside the area of special
flood hazards or uses permitted within such areas will be free from
flooding or flood damages. This chapter shall not create liability
on the part of the Town of Highlands, any officer or employee thereof,
or the Federal Emergency Management Agency, for any flood damages
that result from reliance on this chapter or any administrative decision
lawfully made thereunder.
