Middle Bolsters Flood Prevention; Plans Auction of 19 Tracts

COURT HOUSE – On the same night (Sept. 6) that Middle Township Committee was urging residents to participate in relief efforts for the victims of Hurricane Harvey, the committee adopted its new Flood Damage Prevention ordinance.
The ordinance as adopted at the meeting replaces existing regulations.
By adopting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Map for Cape May County, with an effective date of Oct. 5, the ordinance provides a basis for establishing all areas of special flood hazard.
It sets regulations for development, construction, conversion, and alteration of land and structures depending on the location in relation to flood hazard zones.
These measures include:
* Restrictions on use
* Requirements that allowed uses be protected according to ordinance requirements at the time of initial construction.
* Controlling alterations of streams and protective barriers.
* Controlling grading and dredging and regulating the construction of flood barriers.
It also provides flood damage mitigation measures which will serve to protect property and improve the Community Rating System score that sets a discount level for federal flood insurance premiums.
At a March meeting of the committee, flood plain manager Sal DeSimone said that there are 1,146 flood insurance policies covering township properties.
As the damage in Texas from Hurricane Harvey made clear, significant flooding can occur outside designated hazard areas.
The ordinance contains a disclaimer stating “This ordinance does not imply that land outside of the area of special flood hazards or uses permitted within such areas will be free from flooding or flood damage.”
Given the evidence of storm damage from “monster storms,” property owners need to make informed decisions about mitigation measures or flood insurance policies even if their property is outside the hazard areas.
“This ordinance has been worked on for a few years now,” said Committee member Timothy Donohue.  “It helps us be better prepared for a storm that will come eventually,” he added.
Sale of Township Land
The committee authorized an auction of certain township-owned land and properties listing 19 lots to be auctioned Oct. 11 at 11 a.m. at the municipal building. Max Spann Real Estate and Auction Company, a firm that specializes in municipal property auctions, will administer the process.
Most of the land listed consists of small, irregularly-shaped lots for which the township has no use.
The committee hopes to rid itself of the parcels and use any proceeds from the sales to replenish its budget surplus. 
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.