Raymond Voter Information Project

Article 2: Zoning Amendment 1

Fluvial Erosion Hazards

Click HERE for Town of Raymond Warrant Article PDF

Click HERE for direct link to the text of Town Warrant Article (revised at Town Deliberative Session Feb. 6, 2010).

Fluvial Erosion Hazards (FEH) are as simple as riverbank picnic tables swept downstream to block a culvert, or as complex as sudden, catastrophic movement of a stream or river that cuts a destructive new channel. FEH Zones contain specific river/stream areas determined to have a moderate to extreme sensitivity to high-velocity flood erosion and/or a likelihood of causing erosion further downstream.

A YES VOTE will add safety measures within newly mapped FEH Zones located in Raymond along the Exeter River and its tributary, Fordway Brook.(1)

A NO VOTE will leave these newly mapped FEH Zones less protected.

Pro:

• Goal of 2009 Raymond Master Plan(2) and 2009 Raymond Hazard Mitigation Plan.(3)
• FEH protects against damaging floodwater common in Raymond every one to two years, such as the erosion at Fordway/Lane Road.(4)
• Low-cost, high-return flood hazard prevention tool that can save tax dollars for future damage repairs such as the Suncook River restoration = $1.3 million.(5)
• No cost to taxpayers for river study, maps, extensive DES technical help.(6)
• Using hazard data as soon as available protects citizens, property and emergency workers, and enables the Planning Board to keep subdivisions out of FEH harm’s way.(7)
• Protection now is most cost-effective while Fordway/Exeter still has low density development.(8)
• Increased potential for grant money for 19 culvert and other restoration projects.(9)
• Lower flood insurance rates since FEMA rewards FEH as a “higher standard” once Raymond completes its application for the free Community Rating System Program.(10)
• Endorsements for FEH ordinance: FEMA, 2009 NH Legislation (HB 290), NH Public Safety, Transportation, Environmental Services, Geological Survey, Homeland Security and Emergency Management; NH Associated General Contractors.(11)
• Adds protection for water quality(12)

Con:

• Limits development allowed on portions of lots within the hazard zone for several residential and one commercial property in mapped FEH Zone areas.(13)
• Requires landowner who wishes to exceed his allowed development options within the FEH Zone to seek a Planning Board administered permit.
• Requires a landowner who wishes to build in a prohibited zone, or question the FEH boundary on his property, to appeal to the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
• May add to developer’s survey and engineering costs if FEH boundary must be surveyed on FEH zoned land.
• Requires additional record keeping by the Code Enforcement officer.
• May require developer to alter his site plan to keep his development out of FEH Zone.
• FEH ordinance untested elsewhere in NH

References:
1 Raymond's FordwayBrook/Exeter River Watershed is located south of Rt 101 & drains 1/3 of Raymond
2 Raymond Master Plan (2009) p. 24 Vol 1 Raymond Hazard Mitigation Plan (2009)
3 Raymond Hazard Mitigation Plan (2009) page ix and 80
4 Exeter River Geomorphic Assessment and Watershed-based Plan 3/2009 NH DES, p. 52.
5 Steve Landry, NH Department Environmental Services
6 Shane Csiki, NH Geological Survey, FEH Program Leader in NH
7 Jack Munn, Southern New Hampshire Regional Planning Commission
8 Exeter River Geomorphic Assessment and Watershed-based Plan 3/2009 NH DES p. 31, p. 44
9 Exeter River Geomorphic Assessment and Watershed-based Plan 3/2009 NH DES p. 63
10 Jimmy Chinn, FEMA Community Rating System Regional Director.
11 Non-profit trade organization in existence since 1949.
12 Exeter River Geomorphic Assessment and Watershed-based Plan 3/2009 NH DES p. 5
13 To examine the following impacts of the ordinance on landowners, see the proposed Fluvial Erosion Hazard Overlay District amendment and the FEH maps located at www.raymondnh.com

Please send questions/comments to editor@raymondvip.org

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