Agenda - Council - 10/27/2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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5. POLICY BOARD BUSINESS 5.01: Consider an Amendment to City Code Chapter 117, Article II, Division 4, Subdivision III (Floodplain Overlay Districts) to Adopt Updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps Prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency City Planner Anderson presented the staff report. He drew attention to the latest flood map available, which was from November 1, 1979. There has been a lot of growth in the city since then. There are new flood insurance maps from the insurance agencies. He explained there is a difference between a flood way and a flood fringe. He said structures are not permitted in the floodway. Some exceptions could be possible through a Conditional Use Permit. He gave an example of a structure that would be built on posts and would be elevated above the flood plain. He explained a flood fringe is defined as not part of the main flood area. This would be where there may be spillage near from the floodway with much lower velocities. These definitions determine where a structure can be built, according to FEMA. City Planner Anderson noted the updated maps do need to be adopted. He gave a brief overview of the sections in the current ordinance that will likely be updated. He noted some of the language and definitions should be ted. He stated some of the language from the City Code should be carried over. He discuss sibilities of how the layout of the document may change. Board Member Bentz raised the issue of residents that are currently dealing with property flooding. He asked if these types of situations would be included in the amendment. City Planner Anderson responded this is an option to include such instances, but it does not need to be codified. These are situations that can be handled on a case by case basis. He noted it is staffs recommendation not to include potentially flood prone areas, however if the Board wants to pursue this they can make that part of their recommendation. Board Member Bentz asked if there is a way the realtors can find out about properties that may have flooding issues. City Planner Anderson replied staff receives a lot of questions from realtors, and developers, and residents about whether there are issues with a certain property. When the City is made aware of these situations, they work with them and also provide any pertinent information in the property file maintained by the City. City Planner Anderson reiterated when the Ordinance amendment comes forward, it will be to repeal the existing ordinance and replace it with this one. It can look drastic, but in reality there is very little changing. There may be a little rearranging within a section, but there are no major changes to the amendment. He noted the deadline to adopt an Ordinance that incorporates these new maps to stay eligible in the flood insurance program is December 16. The intention is to present the ordinance amendment to the Planning Commission at a public hearing in October and would to have it in front of City Council for adoption by of December at the latest. Notification will then be sent to FEMA that the amendment is adopted, in time for the December 16 deadline. He noted residents do not have to be in a flood zone to purchase insurance. If a resident is not in a flood zone, it may be less expensive to purchase flood insurance if the homeowners wishes. Environmental Policy Board / September 21, 2015 Page 2 of 7