A. The flood hazard areas of the City of Sebastopol are subject to periodic inundation which may result in loss of life and property, health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and governmental services, extraordinary public expenditures for flood protection and relief, and impairment of the tax base, all of which adversely affect the public health, safety and general welfare.

B. Placement of large quantities of fill in flood hazard areas has the potential to displace floodwaters, raise flood elevations and redirect floodwaters.

C. Placement of large quantities of fill in flood hazard areas has the potential to adversely alter sites’ relationship to existing streets, sidewalks and neighboring sites and buildings adversely affecting commerce, safety surveillance, and community aesthetics.

D. Substantial elevation of the finished first floor of structures to comply with flood hazard requirements has the potential to separate structures from existing streets, sidewalks and neighboring sites and buildings adversely affecting commerce, safety surveillance, and community aesthetics.