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IDENTIFICATION OF FLOODPLAIN AREAS
(A) The identified floodplain area shall be: any areas of city, classified as special flood hazard areas (SFHAs) in the flood insurance study (FIS) and the accompanying flood insurance rate maps (FIRMs) dated February 19, 2014 and issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), or the most recent revision thereof, including all digital data developed as part of the flood insurance study.
(B) The above referenced FIS and FIRMs, and any subsequent revisions and amendments are hereby adopted by the city and declared to be a part of this chapter.
(Ord. 1534, passed 3-3-2014)
The identified floodplain area shall consist of the following specific areas.
(A) The floodway area shall be those areas identified in the FIS and the FIRM as floodway and which represent the channel of a watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood without increasing the water surface elevation by more than one foot at any point. This term shall also include floodway areas which have been identified in other available studies or sources of information for those special flood hazard areas where no floodway has been identified in the FIS and FIRM.
(1) Within any floodway area, no encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements or other development shall be permitted unless it has been demonstrated through hydrologic and hydraulic analysis performed in accordance with standard engineering practice that the proposed encroachment would not result in any increase in flood levels within the community during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.
(2) Within any floodway area, no new construction or development shall be allowed, unless the appropriate permit is obtained from the Department of Environmental Protection Regional Office.
(B) The AE Area/District shall be those areas identified as an AE Zone on the FIRM included in the FIS prepared by FEMA for which base flood elevations have been provided.
(1) The AE Area adjacent to the floodway shall be those areas identified as an AE Zone on the FIRM included in the FIS prepared by FEMA for which base flood elevations have been provided and a floodway has been delineated.
(2) AE Area without floodway shall be those areas identified as an AE zone on the FIRM included in the FIS prepared by FEMA for which base flood elevations have been provided but no floodway has been determined.
(a) No permit shall be granted for any construction, development, use or activity within any AE Area/District without floodway unless it is demonstrated that the cumulative effect of the proposed development would not, together with all other existing and anticipated development, increase the BFE more than one foot at any point.
(b) No new construction or development shall be located within the area measured 50 feet landward from the top-of-bank of any watercourse, unless the appropriate permit is obtained from the Department of Environmental Protection Regional Office.
(C) (1) The A Area/District shall be those areas identified as an A Zone on the FIRM included in the FIS prepared by FEMA and for which no base flood elevations have been provided. For these areas, elevation and floodway information from other federal, state or other acceptable sources shall be used when available. Where other acceptable information is not available, the base flood elevation shall be determined by using the elevation of a point on the boundary of the identified floodplain area which is nearest the construction site.
(2) In lieu of the above, the municipality may require the applicant to determine the elevation with hydrologic and hydraulic engineering techniques. Hydrologic and hydraulic analyses shall be undertaken only by professional engineers or others of demonstrated qualifications, who shall certify that the technical methods used correctly reflect currently accepted technical concepts. Studies, analyses, computations and the like shall be submitted in sufficient detail to allow a thorough technical review by the municipality.
(D) The AO and AH Area/District shall be those areas identified as Zones AO and AH on the FIRM and in the FIS. These areas are subject to inundation by 1% annual chance shallow flooding where average depths are between one and three feet. In Zones AO and AH, drainage paths shall be established to guide flood waters around and away from structures on slopes.
(Ord. 1534, passed 3-3-2014)
The identified floodplain area may be revised or modified by the Council where studies or information provided by a qualified agency or person documents the need for such revision. However, prior to any such change to the special flood hazard area, approval must be obtained from FEMA. Additionally, as soon as practicable, but not later than six months after the date such information becomes available, a community shall notify FEMA of the changes to the special flood hazard area by submitting technical or scientific data. See § 153.055(B) for situations where FEMA notification is required.
(Ord. 1534, passed 3-3-2014)
Should a dispute concerning any identified floodplain boundary arise, an initial determination shall be made by the city and any party aggrieved by this decision or determination may appeal to the Council. The burden of proof shall be on the appellant.
(Ord. 1534, passed 3-3-2014)
Prior to development occurring in areas where annexation or other corporate boundary changes are proposed or have occurred, the community shall review flood hazard data affecting the lands subject to boundary changes. The community shall adopt and enforce floodplain regulations in areas subject to annexation or corporate boundary changes which meet or exceed those in 44 C.F.R. § 60.3.
(Ord. 1534, passed 3-3-2014)
TECHNICAL PROVISIONS
(A) Alteration or relocation of watercourse.
(1) No encroachment, alteration or improvement of any kind shall be made to any watercourse until all adjacent municipalities which may be affected by such action have been notified by the municipality, and until all required permits or approvals have first been obtained from the Department of Environmental Protection Regional Office.
(2) No encroachment, alteration or improvement of any kind shall be made to any watercourse unless it can be shown that the activity will not reduce or impede the flood carrying capacity of the watercourse in any way.
(3) In addition, FEMA and the state’s Department of Community and Economic Development shall be notified prior to any alteration or relocation of any watercourse.
(B) Proposed encroachments. When a community proposes to permit the following encroachments:
(1) Any development that causes a rise in the base flood elevations within the floodway;
(2) Any development occurring in Zones A1-30 and Zone AE without a designated floodway, which will cause a rise of more than one foot in the base flood elevation; or
(3) Alteration or relocation of a stream, including, but not limited to, installing culverts and bridges, the applicant shall, as per 44 C.F.R. § 65.12:
(a) Apply to FEMA for conditional approval of such action prior to permitting the encroachments to occur;
(b) Upon receipt of the Administrator’s conditional approval of map change and prior to approving the proposed encroachments, a community shall provide evidence to FEMA of the adoption of floodplain management ordinances incorporating the increased base flood elevations and/or revised floodway reflecting the post-project condition; and
(c) Upon completion of the proposed encroachments, a community shall provide as-built certifications. FEMA will initiate a final map revision upon receipt of such certifications in accordance with 44 C.F.R. part 67.
(C) Compliance. Any new construction, development, uses or activities allowed within any identified floodplain area shall be undertaken in strict compliance with the provisions contained in this chapter and any other applicable codes, ordinances and regulations.
(Ord. 1534, passed 3-3-2014)
(A) Residential structures.
(1) In AE, A1-30 and AH Zones, any new construction or substantial improvement shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated up to, or above, the regulatory flood elevation.
(2) In A Zones, where there are no base flood elevations specified on the FIRM, any new construction or substantial improvement shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated up to. or above, the regulatory flood elevation determined in accordance with § 153.041(C).
(3) In AO Zones, any new construction or substantial improvement shall have the lowest floor, including basement, at or above the highest adjacent grade at least as high as the depth number specified on the FIRM.
(4) The design and construction standards and specifications contained in the 2009 International Building Code (IBC) and in the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC), or the most recent revisions thereof, and ASCE 24 and 34 Pa. Code, Chapters 401 through 405 as amended, shall be utilized where they are more restrictive.
(B) Non-residential structures.
(1) In AE, A1-30 and AH Zones, any new construction or substantial improvement of a non-residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated up to, or above, the regulatory flood elevation, or be designed and constructed so that the space enclosed below the regulatory flood elevation:
(a) Is floodproofed so that the structure is water-tight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water; and
(b) Has structural components with the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy.
(2) In A Zones, where no base flood elevations are specified on the FIRM, any new construction or substantial improvement shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated or completely floodproofed up to, or above, the regulatory flood elevation determined in accordance with § 153.041(C).
(3) In AO Zones, any new construction or substantial improvement shall have their lowest floor elevated or completely floodproofed above the highest adjacent grade to at least as high as the depth number specified on the FIRM.
(4) Any non-residential structure, or part thereof, made water-tight below the regulatory flood elevation shall be floodproofed in accordance with the WI or W2 space classification standards contained in the publication entitled Flood-Proofing Regulations published by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers June 1972, as amended March 1992, or with some other equivalent standard. All plans and specifications for such floodproofing shall be accompanied by a statement certified by a registered professional engineer or architect which states that the proposed design and methods of construction are in conformance with the above referenced standards.
(5) The design and construction standards and specifications contained in the 2009 International Building Code (IBC) and in the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC), or the most recent revisions thereof, and ASCE 24 and 34 Pa. Code Chapters 401 through 405, as amended, shall be utilized, where they are more restrictive.
(C) Space below the lowest floor.
(1) Fully enclosed space below the lowest floor, excluding basements, which will be used solely for the parking of a vehicle, building access or incidental storage in an area other than a basement, shall be designed and constructed to allow for the automatic entry and exit of flood waters for the purpose of equalizing hydrostatic forces on exterior walls. The term FULLY ENCLOSED SPACE also includes crawl spaces.
(2) Designs for meeting this requirement must either be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect, or meet or exceed the following minimum criteria:
(a) A minimum of two openings having a net total area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed space;
(b) The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above grade; and
(c) Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers or other coverings or devices, provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.
(D) Historic structures. Historic structures undergoing repair or rehabilitation that would constitute a substantial improvement, as defined in this chapter, must comply with all ordinance requirements that do not preclude the structure’s continued designation as a historic structure. Documentation that a specific ordinance requirement will cause removal of the structure from the National Register of Historic Places or the State Inventory of Historic places must be obtained from the Secretary of the Interior or the State Historic Preservation Officer. Any exemption from ordinance requirements will be the minimum necessary to preserve the historic character and design of the structure.
(E) Accessory structures. Structures accessory to a principal building need not be elevated or floodproofed to remain dry, but shall comply, at a minimum, with the following requirements:
(1) The structure shall not be designed or used for human habitation, but shall be limited to the parking of vehicles, or to the storage of tools, material and equipment related to the principal use or activity;
(2) Floor area shall not exceed 600 square feet;
(3) The structure will have a low damage potential;
(4) The structure will be located on the site so as to cause the least obstruction to the flow of flood waters;
(5) Power lines, wiring and outlets will be elevated to the regulatory flood elevation;
(6) Permanently affixed utility equipment and appliances such as furnaces, heaters, washers, dryers and the like are prohibited;
(7) Sanitary facilities are prohibited; and
(8) The structure shall be adequately anchored to prevent flotation, collapse and lateral movement and shall be designed to automatically provide for the entry and exit of floodwater for the purpose of equalizing hydrostatic forces on the walls. Designs for meeting this requirement must either be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect, or meet or exceed the following minimum criteria:
(a) A minimum of two openings having a net total area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed space;
(b) The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above grade; and
(c) Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers and the like or other coverings or devices, provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of flood waters.
(Ord. 1534, passed 3-3-2014)
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