Prince George, B.C.- A meeting has been set for next Wednesday evening to talk about the new flood plain bylaw.

This bylaw will see the flood plain level increased, and that means many property owners,  businesses, homeowners, the local brewery and even a school will be seeing some new restrictions on what, where,  how or if, they can  build on their properties.

The flood plain map that was part of the post Nechako River Ice jam flood study, raises the 200 year event limit  from a low of .09 metres   at one point on the Fraser River, to 1.74 meters (5’9”) higher on some properties on the Nechako River.

Nelson Wight, Manager of Current Planning and Development with the City of Prince George says The new mapping is more accurate  because of the level of detail in the recent study and report prepared in the wake of the Nechako ice jam event of 2007/’08.

The proposed bylaw not only proposes a new floodplain level, it would establish three other “zones” which will carry building or development restrictions on setbacks:

 

 

 

 

Wight, says the bylaw will discourage development in some areas and “flat out prohibit” some types of development.

About 1500 notices were sent out to property owners who will be impacted by the new bylaw if it is approved by Council. In some cases, property that wasn’t in the flood plain before, will be facing new restrictions. Wight says most of the changes are along properties on the Nechako River.

Wednesday evening’s meeting will be the first time members of the public have had a chance to offer their input on the new bylaw.

The meeting will take place at the Civic Centre on the 15^th and starts at 6:00 p.m.