Chelsea council notes
Flood Plain Map in Farm Point
Reuel S. Amdur
On April 8, Margo Seymour and Jennifer Haire expressed their concerns at the Chelsea Council meeting about a flood plain map. Their focus is on the planned development titled Village de la Rivière, located in Farm Point. A map of flood susceptibility, which includes the Village, alerted them to a potential risk.
The two are worried about what a forthcoming map might say about the Village. What, they wanted to know, would happen if the flood plain on the map infringes on the Village. Mayor Pierre Guénard and Councillor Kimberly Chan said that the building permits might be changed. Currently the plan is for eight houses. If the new map identifies part of the Village as in danger of flooding, it might be necessary to remove some housing locations from the permit.
Perhaps more to the point, a recent flood in the area destroyed part of River Road, requiring it to be rebuilt. The map will be based on probabilities, but events may exceed probabilities. The map may not address what an unexpected very heavy storm might do.
The lesson that the last big flood teaches is caveat emptor. Let the buyer beware.
