An Ordinance to amend the Amesbury Zoning Ordinance and make revisions to existing Wetlands and Floodplain protection regulations by adopting additional floodplain management measures that meet the current standards of 44 CFR Part 60.3 (d) of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) regulations.

Updates Amesbury's Wetlands and Floodplain Protection District to meet NFIP standards and align with FEMA's latest flood maps and study, affecting development in flood-prone areas citywide.

approved CITYWIDEENVIRONMENTAL

STEP 1

Submitted

MAY 13 2025
STEP 2 · CURRENT

Approved

JUN 24 2025

AI summary · plain-language

The City of Amesbury adopts FEMA floodplain management measures to bring its Wetlands and Floodplain Protection District into conformance with NFIP standards (44 CFR Part 60.3(d)), incorporating the latest FEMA FIRM and FIS effective July 8, 2025. The amendments ensure continued NFIP eligibility and provide updated requirements for development in flood hazard areas, including compliance with state building and environmental regulations.

Generated by an LLM. Not legal text. Read the official ordinance for binding language.

Key provisions

§1 Adopts FEMA Floodplain Management Measures for Amesbury Wetlands and Floodplain Protection District.

§2 Overlay district applies to Zone A/AE flood hazard areas per FIRM and FIS.

§3 Requires compliance with 780 CMR Building Code, DEP Wetlands Regulations, Inland/Coastal wetlands, and Title 5 for development in the overlay.

§4 Boundary defined by FIRM/FIS; applicant may provide data or hire professionals to locate the boundary.

Discussed at meetings

City Council City Council MeetingJune 24, 2025

amend2025-054

Accept the June 18th redline version of Ordinance 2025-054 (Wetlands and Floodplain protection regulations).

MOVED BY COUNCILOR WHEELER · SECONDED BY COUNCILOR GILDAY · VOTE: APPROVED 8-0

approve2025-054

Approve Ordinance 2025-054 An Ordinance to amend Wetlands and Floodplain protection regulations per NFIP regulations.

MOVED BY COUNCILOR WHEELER · SECONDED BY COUNCILOR HAGGSTROM · VOTE: APPROVED 8-0

City Council Planning and Development Subcommittee MeetingJune 18, 2025

2025-0542025-054 — Ordinance to amend Wetlands and Floodplain protection regulations

City Council City Council MeetingJune 10, 2025

refer2025-054

Councilor Stanganelli offered a motion to refer 2025-054 to the Planning and Development Committee and continue to the June 24, 2025 City Council meeting with a public hearing on June 24, 2025.

MOVED BY COUNCILOR STANGANELLI · SECONDED BY COUNCILOR HOGG · VOTE: PASSED UNANIMOUSLY, 8-0

Conservation Commission Conservation Commission Special MeetingJune 9, 2025

—Bill 2025-054 — Wetlands and Floodplain protection ordinance

Planning Board Planning BoardJune 9, 2025

approve2025-054

David Frick motioned to send Bill 202-054 back to City Council with a positive recommendation.

MOVED BY DAVID FRICK · SECONDED BY MICHAEL JEWELL · VOTE: APPROVED 5-0-1

—Bill 2025-054 – Wetlands and Floodplain

City Council Special Ordinance and Administration Committee MeetingJune 9, 2025

refer2025-054

Refer bill 2025-054 back to City Council with a positive recommendation and request that any redline edits made by the Planning Director be provided to the City Council for its June 24 meeting.

MOVED BY COUNCILOR WHEELER · SECONDED BY COUNCILOR RINALDI · VOTE: PASSED 3-0

2025-0542025-054

City Council City Council MeetingMay 13, 2025

refer2025-054

Councilor Gilday moved to refer 2025-054 to Planning Board, Conservation Commission, and O&A.

MOVED BY COUNCILOR GILDAY · SECONDED BY COUNCILOR HOGG · VOTE: PASSED 7-0

2025-0542025-054 Amend Wetlands and Floodplain protection regulations per NFIP