Many cities have their councils loaded with developers. These press for zoning approval in places that should never be built upon. This is good old garden variety greed and is as old as humanity.
I Am The Lion
Song by Neil Diamond
Lyrics
There was a flood and many poor men were killed.
And that is why our house is built on the top of a hill.
The plains are like a friend, why can’t we live on them?
And if a flood should come, why can’t we run?…
Uh, Harvey