Beverly reviews update to overlay district to comply with National Flood Insurance Program

Michael McHugh, The Salem News, Beverly, Mass.Salem News

BEVERLY — The city is considering changes to Beverly’s floodplain overlay district ordinance that, among other things, would add 65 new parcels to the district to keep the city in compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program.

The program is managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and provides federally backed affordable insurance for property owners in flood-prone areas while supporting flood hazard mitigation. Participation in the program requires municipalities to adopt floodplain management regulations.

FEMA is giving cities and towns until July 8 to make amendments that conform with its latest updated regulations.

Ibrahim Lopez Hernandez, Beverly’s sustainability project manager, provided an update on the flood overlay district to the City Council Monday night.

He said changes outlined in the ordinance include increasing the total number of parcels in the floodplain district, designating a floodplain administrator, expanding and updating terminology. It also consists of determining non-applicability to ensure developments that would not increase flooding impacts are able to move forward, more detailed permit requirements, guidance for floodway development, and a requirement to inform owners about potential insurance premium impacts.

The state’s Department of Environmental Protection is the key stakeholder and the key agency responsible for guaranteeing that communities are compliant with the program, Hernandez said.

“So since January, we’ve been working along with MassDEP to be able to get the correct language, go through various iterations, and get their feedback,” he said. “Now, we have their approval to move forward locally.”

There are about 1,446 parcels in the current flood plain district in Beverly, with the addition of 65 new parcels increasing the total to 1,511. Specifically, the new parcels are spread out with 45 in Ward 6, 11 in Ward 5, and 9 in Ward 3.

The newly required floodplain administrator’s primary role will be to protect residents by managing flood risks, reviewing development projects, ensuring compliance with floodplain regulations, and educating the public about flood hazards. The building commissioner would take on such duties, according to a letter from Mayor Mike Cahill.

Without local compliance, Beverly would become ineligible, leaving thousands of residents without coverage options. Ineligible properties may drop in market value and become harder to sell or refinance. Additionally, FEMA’s regulatory changes now allow greater flexibility in awarding housing assistance, but only for insured individuals, Hernandez indicated.

He also emphasized how FEMA and Congress have increasingly scrutinized aid to communities — ensuring zoning and insurance compliance is one way to keep the city in a position to receive aid.

“This is an important program that provides benefits to property owners in Beverly for which there really is no substitution,” Ward 4 Councilor Scott Houseman said. “I will be voting in favor of it, and encourage my colleagues to do the same.”

Since 1978, Beverly residents have made 164 claims in to help mitigate the effect of flooding from rainfall and winter storms. Those claims totaled $3.5 million with $2.8 million of that money actually being received by the claimants while $726,957 remained uncovered, according to publicly available data.

The proposed amended ordinance was referred back to the council’s legal affairs committee, where it will await recommendation from the Planning Board for further action. For more information on the floodplain overlay district ordinance, visit beverlyma.gov/217/Floodplain-Development.

Michael McHugh can be contacted at mmchugh@northofboston.com or at 781-799-5202