For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ACCESSORY USE or STRUCTURE. A use or structure on the same lot with, and of a nature customarily incidental and subordinate to the principle use or structure.
BASEMENT. Any area of a structure, including crawl spaces, having its floor or base subgrade (below ground level) on all four sides, regardless of the depth of excavation below ground level.
CONDITIONAL USE. A specific type of structure or land use listed in this chapter that may be allowed by only after an in-depth review procedure and with appropriate conditions or restrictions as provided in the official zoning ordinance or building codes and upon a finding that:
(1) Certain conditions as detailed in the zoning ordinance exist; and
(2) The structure and/or land use conform to the comprehensive land use plan if one exists and are compatible with the existing neighborhood.
EQUAL DEGREE OF ENCROACHMENT. A method of determining the location of floodway boundaries so that flood plain land on both sides of a stream are capable of conveying a proportionate share of flood flows.
ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICIAL ZONING MAP. The zoning district map as it may be amended from time to time with all explanatory materials thereon, and attached thereto is hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this chapter. The explanatory material shall include the flood insurance study for Le Sueur County, Minnesota and incorporated areas, dated July 21, 1999 and flood insurance rate map panels therein dated July 21, 1999 that are numbered 20 of 435, and 110 of 435, as prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Areas designated as being within the flood plain on the flood insurance rate map panes shall control when in conflict with other maps including the zoning district map. The official zoning map shall be on file in the Office of the City Clerk.
FLOOD. A temporary increase in the flow or stage of a steam or in the state of a wetland or lake that results in the inundation of normally dry areas.
FLOOD FREQUENCY. The frequency for which it is expected that a specific flood stage or discharge may be equaled or exceeded.
FLOOD FRINGE. That portion of the flood plain outside of the floodway. FLOOD FRINGE is synonymous with the term “floodway fringe” used in the flood insurance study for the city.
FLOOD PLAIN. The beds proper and the areas adjoining a wetland, lake or watercourse which have been or hereafter may be covered by the regional flood.
FLOOD-PROOFING. A combination of structural provisions, changes or adjustments to properties and structures subject to flooding primarily for the reduction of elimination of flood damages.
FLOODWAY. The bed of a wetland or lake and the channel of a watercourse and those portions of the adjoining flood plain which are reasonably required to carry or store the regional flood discharge.
OBSTRUCTION. Any dam, wall, wharf, embankment, levee, dike, pile, abutment, projection, excavation, channel modification, culvert, building, wire, fence, stockpile, refuse fill, structure, or matter in, along, across, or projecting into any channel, watercourse, or regulatory flood plan which may impede, retard, or change the direction of the flow or water, either in itself, or by catching or collecting debris carried by such water.
PRINCIPAL USE or STRUCTURE. All uses or structures that are not accessory uses or structures.
REACH. A hydraulic engineering term to describe a longitudinal segment of a stream or river influenced by a natural or manmade obstruction. In an urban area, the segment of a stream or river between two consecutive bridge crossings would most typically constitute a reach.
REGIONAL FLOOD. A flood which is representative of large floods known to have occurred generally in Minnesota and reasonably characteristic of what can be expected to occur on an average frequency in the magnitude of the 100-year recurrence interval. REGIONAL FLOOD is synonymous with the term “base flood”used in the flood insurance study.
REGULATORY FLOOD PROTECTION ELEVATION. The REGULATORY FLOOD PROTECTION ELEVATION shall be an elevation no lower than one foot above the elevation of the regional flood plus any increases in the flood elevation caused by encroachments on the flood plain that result from designation of a floodway.
STRUCTURE. Anything constructed or erected on the ground or attached to the ground or on-site utilities, including, but not limited to, buildings, factories, sheds, detached garages, cabins, manufactured homes, travel trailers/vehicles and other similar terms.
VARIANCE. A modification of a specific permitted development standard required in the zoning chapter and including this chapter to allow an alternative development standard not stated as acceptable in the zoning chapter, but only as applied to a particular property for the purpose of alleviating a hardship, practical difficulty or unique circumstance as defined and elaborated upon in this chapter.
(Ord. 406, passed 11-27-1989; Ord. 457, passed 7-26-1999)