A.Â
The
flood hazard areas of the Township of Cranbury are subject to periodic
inundation which results in loss of life and property, health and
safety hazards, disruption of commerce and governmental services,
extraordinary public expenditures for flood protection and relief
and impairment of the tax base, all of which adversely affect the
public health, safety and general welfare.
B.Â
These
flood losses are caused by the cumulative effect of obstruction in
areas of special flood hazard which increase flood heights and velocities
and, when inadequately anchored, damage uses in other areas. Uses
that are inadequately floodproofed, elevated or otherwise protected
from flood damage also contribute to the flood loss.
It is the purpose of this chapter to promote the public health,
safety and general welfare and to minimize public and private losses
due to flood conditions in specific areas by provisions designed to:
A.Â
Protect
human life and health.
B.Â
Minimize
expenditure of public money for costly flood-control projects.
C.Â
Minimize
the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding and
generally undertaken at the expense of the general public.
D.Â
Minimize
prolonged business interruptions.
E.Â
Minimize
damage to public facilities and utilities, such as water and gas mains;
electric, telephone and sewer lines; and streets and bridges located
in areas of special flood hazard.
F.Â
Help
maintain a stable tax base by providing for the sound use and development
of areas of special flood hazard so as to minimize future flood blight
areas.
G.Â
Ensure
that potential buyers are notified that property is in an area of
special flood hazard.
H.Â
Ensure
that those who occupy the areas of special flood hazard assume responsibility
for their actions.
In order to accomplish its purposes, this chapter includes methods
and provisions for:
A.Â
Restricting
or prohibiting uses which are dangerous to health, safety and property
due to water or erosion hazards or which result in damaging increases
in erosion or in flood heights or velocities.
B.Â
Requiring
that uses vulnerable to floods, including facilities which serve such
uses, be protected against flood damage at the time of initial construction.
C.Â
Controlling
the alteration of natural floodplains, stream channels and natural
protective barriers, which help accommodate or channel floodwaters.
D.Â
Controlling
filling, grading, dredging and other development which may increase
flood damage.
E.Â
Preventing
or regulating the construction of flood barriers which will unnaturally
divert floodwaters or which may increase flood hazards in other areas.