Planning board recommends zoning amendment to update flood maps after FEMA revisions

The North Smithfield Planning Board voted unanimously June 11 to recommend that the Town Council adopt an amendment to the zoning ordinance to update the town’s flood maps following FEMA’s revisions.

A planner explained that FEMA had updated and revised the flood maps and that the town is required to bring its zoning code into alignment with the revised maps. The board made the finding that the proposed amendment complies with the town’s comprehensive plan and approved a motion to forward the recommendation to the Town Council.

Why it matters: Updating the zoning ordinance to reflect FEMA’s revised flood maps ensures local land-use regulations conform to federal floodplain delineations and helps maintain eligibility for certain disaster- and flood-insurance-related programs.

Next steps: The planning board’s recommendation will be transmitted to the Town Council for final action.