Agenda - Planning Commission - 10/15/2015

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Regular Planning Commission 5. 5. Meeting Date: 10/15/2015 By: Chris Anderson, Community Development Information Title: PUBLIC HEARING: Consider Recommendation on Ordinance #15-15 Amending City Code Section 117-1 (Definitions) Chapter 117, Article II, Division 4, Subdivision III (Floodplain Overlay Districts) Purpose/Background: In 1979, the City enrolled in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) by adopting floodplain regulations and Flood Boundary and Floodway Maps and Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) for the community. The Flood Boundary and Floodway Maps and FIRMs currently in effect are dated November 1, 1979. The community has grown substantially since the late 1970s, and thus, the maps lack much of the current street network. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been systematically updating floodplain maps across the state and has recently completed new maps for Anoka County. If the City desires to remain in the NFIP, the floodplain standards must be amended to adopt the new maps. Per the attached Letter of Final Determination, for the City to remain in the NFIP, the existing floodplain regulations must be amended to comply with federal regulations, which includes both text amendments as well as adopted the updated FIRMs and Flood Insurance Study (FIS). The floodplain standards are designed to minimize structural damage as a result of large scale floods, oftentimes referred to as the 100 -year flood (or Regional Flood or Special Flood Hazard Area), by prohibiting the placement of structures within designated floodways and by requiring either flood -proofing and/or the use of fill to elevate a structure to a certain elevation if within the flood fringe areas. Structures located within a designated floodplain are required to be covered by flood insurance (federal mandate). If a community opted not to participate in the NFIP, then federally backed mortgages would not be an option for properties in the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) as flood insurance would not be available (to any property owner). Additionally, if the City opted not to continue in the NFIP, it would lose its eligibility for federal disaster also. Notification: The Notice of Public Hearing was published in the City's official newspaper, the Anoka County UnionHerald. Observations/Alternatives: The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, as the State Coordinating Agency for the NFIP, has provided a model ordinance for consideration. Attached to this case is that model ordinance developed by the DNR that was used to guide Ramsey's local ordinance This model includes commentary identifying those sections that are mandatory or optional, as well as some brief, basic background for some of the provisions. It should be noted that a majority of the provisions in the model ordinance already exist in the City's current floodplain regulation. Attached is a marked up version of the model ordinance that includes cross references to the City's current floodplain regulations to help illustrate what language already exists within City Code. Also attached to this case is a summary of optional provisions that don't already exist in City Code as well as a brief statement as to whether or not it was included in the Ordinance Amendment and why. One of the major components of this proposed Amendment is the incorporation, by reference, of the new maps and flood study. The updated maps include an underlying aerial image and a much needed updated network of streets. Upon adoption of the Ordinance Amendment, the City will also gain access to Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs) through FEMA, that should further assist in accurately determining whether a structure (or proposed location for a structure) is within a floodplain.