Title
Public Hearing on Floodplain Ordinance Revisions
Action
Action:
A. Conduct a public hearing on revisions to the floodplain ordinance, and
B. Approve floodplain ordinance revisions.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Mike Davis, Engineering and Property Management
Daryl Hammock, Engineering and Property Management
Explanation
§ The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires that all local floodplain regulations comply with FEMA and state requirements to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
§ Federally-backed flood insurance is made available to communities that participate in the NFIP, and rates are decreased by strong local ordinances.
§ The State and FEMA require changes including:
‒ Adoption of new floodplain maps,
‒ Additional design requirements for fuel storage tanks in to reduce tank failure, and
‒ Specifying a timeframe for accumulation of costs associated with substantial improvement/damage to a structure.
§ Adoption of these changes is required in advance of the deadline on November 16, 2018, in order to continue participation in NFIP. Failure to adopt these minimally-required changes will result in Charlotte being suspended from participation, resulting in the loss of federally-backed flood insurance and a minimum 30 percent rate increase as policyholders obtain private policies.
§ After evaluation of the State’s Model Floodplain ordinance, it is recommended that additional ordinance changes which clarify intent, add more specificity, supplement definitions, and further limit flood losses.
§ A stakeholder process was conducted with a diverse community group. Representation in the group included the Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition, Sierra Club, Catawba Riverkeeper, Charlotte Regional Realtors Association, Storm Water Advisory Committee, Mecklenburg County Building Development Commission, and City Development Services Technical Advisory Committee. City staff also attended the stakeholder meetings.
§ On June 15, 2018, the stakeholder members unanimously recommended making the Federally-required changes, as well as the locally recommended changes to be consistent with the State’s model ordinance.
§ On July 19, 2018, the Storm Water Advisory Committee unanimously endorsed the same changes.
Attachments
Attachment(s)
Floodplain Ordinance Revisions