New flood rules could make for taller homes in Franklin county

            New homes in Franklin County could be three feet taller than existing homes under proposed rules in the federal flood insurance program.

The federal flood insurance program is undergoing two major changes this year.

One is that the federal program is revising its flood maps and in many cases raising the base flood elevations.

That change will take effect in March.

The program is also changing its rates.

According to Alan Pierce the rate changes are being dictated by the federal government.

In order for the county to stay in the program it will have adopt some new rules, one of which would allow homes to be built up to three feet above base flood requirements.

Currently Franklin County has an ordinance that prohibits homes from starting their first floors above the base flood requirement, but the county may have to rescind that rule so that people building new homes can save significant money on flood insurance.

County planner Alan Pierce said if the change is approved homes themselves would still be limited to 35 feet in height, but the first floor of homes could start up to three feet higher.

The county commission has not yet begun to discuss the change; it will do that during a public hearing on the issue which will be scheduled for late March or April. 

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