Gloucester Planning Board Recommends Floodplain Ordinance Update Ahead of July FEMA Map Deadline

GLOUCESTER — May 15, 2025 — Gloucester Planning Board unanimously backed a required update to the city's floodplain ordinance and launched the final public comment period for its two-year comprehensive plan at a May 15 meeting. Planning Director David Rosen walked the five-member board through amendments to Section 5.5 of the Gloucester Zoning Ordinance, driven by new FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps for Essex County taking effect July 8, 2025; the key change updates a date reference from the 2018 maps and adds a clarification limiting the 10 percent floodplain alteration standard to dry land above elevation 5, excluding tidal and salt marsh areas. The board voted 5-0 to recommend City Council adoption; the amendment next goes to the Planning and Development Committee. Separately, consultant Laura Smead of Jay and Remfer Goldson reported the comprehensive plan — two years in development and logged at 3,894 community engagement touch points — is ready for a final public comment period running through the end of June, with a Planning Board adoption vote targeted for July.