Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on an Ordinance Revising the Stormwater Ordinance to Allow an Alternate Process for FEMA Map Revisions
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Operational Excellence
MEETING DATE: December 1, 2015
DEPARTMENT: Development Services-Engineering
CONTACT: Mark Hines, P.E.-Director of Engineering
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
• Approval of the Ordinance Revision
ITEM SUMMARY:
• This ordinance revision adds an alternate method for revising FEMA floodplains, allowing construction prior to finalization of the changes.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• City ordinances prevent construction in FEMA designated floodplains.
• Developers are allowed to revise the floodplains by excavating and changing the ground elevations.
• The floodplains changes must be reviewed and approved by the City and FEMA prior to taking effect.
• After construction is complete and the changes have been confirmed and approved by the City, the process for official FEMA acceptance can take from six to eighteen months.
• The development community approached the City asking for a revision whereby plats may be filed, building permits issued, and structures occupied prior to final acceptance by FEMA.
• A committee of representatives of the development community and City staff worked together over a several month period to develop a policy to achieve the requested revision while protecting the City and its citizens from liability.
• The proposed ordinance revision allows the above items if the developer takes on the risk of providing necessary flood insurance until final acceptance by FEMA.
• If the ordinance is approved, the same language will be added to the Stormwater Design Manual.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY: NA
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: NA