The purpose of this chapter is to promote the general health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Loudoun County and protect state waters from the potential harm of unmanaged floodwaters by providing citizens with funding opportunities to implement flood mitigation and protection measures on private property.
(Ord. 22-20. Passed 12-14-22.)
Pursuant to § 15.2-2114.01, Local Stormwater Management Fund; grant moneys, of the Code of Virginia, there is hereby established a local Flood Mitigation and Protection Grant Program (hereinafter the “Program”) consisting of local moneys budgeted for the purpose of granting funds to owners of private property or a common interest community in Loudoun County for flood mitigation and protection measures that are part of the Loudoun County, Virginia Local Resilience Plan. Grants made pursuant to this chapter shall, where practicable, prioritize projects that include nature-based practices.
(Ord. 22-20. Passed 12-14-22.)
The following words and phrases used in this chapter shall have the following meanings.
(a) “Applicant” means a person or entity applying for grant funding under the Program.
(b) “Flood mitigation” means actions taken that are designed to reduce or eliminate risk to people and property damage from flooding.
(Ord. 22-20. Passed 12-14-22.)
(a) The Program will be administered by the Director of the Department of General Services (DGS) or his/her designee in collaboration with the Department of Finance and Budget (DFB). Technical review of applications will be performed by DGS staff, with any regulatory approvals to be provided by appropriate agencies.
(b) Grant opportunities under the Program are subject to the County’s budgetary process. Nothing contained in this Chapter shall be construed as a requirement for the Board of Supervisors to budget and/or appropriate funds to the Program.
(Ord. 22-20. Passed 12-14-22.)
(a) The County may provide grant funding to owners of property located in the County for flood mitigation and protection projects that meet Program eligibility requirements.
(b) Applications must meet the standards and criteria set forth in this chapter in accordance with the requirements and procedures of the Flood Mitigation and Protection Guidelines (Guidelines).
(c) Applicants must demonstrate:
(1) The proposed project involves a habitable structure located in an area prone to repetitive localized flooding, or is in the Loudoun County Floodplain Overlay District, Major or Minor Floodplain;
(2) Project is technically feasible; and
(3) Project is cost-effective.
(d) All projects must be designed, developed, improved, operated, maintained, and monitored in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, statutes, ordinances, and policies, including but not limited to Chapter 1096 and Chapter 1220 of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County, the Land Subdivision Ordinance (LSDO), and the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance.
(e) Projects must not increase flood risk to other dwellings or create adverse impacts to offsite properties as determined by the Floodplain Administrator in consultation with the Department of General Service, Department of Finance and Budget, and the County Attorney’s Office (CAO).
(f) Only activities described in the Guidelines are eligible for funding.
(g) Application Process.
(1) The applicant must submit a Program application pursuant to the application process developed in the Guidelines.
(2) The County will evaluate applications according to the purposes of the Program and eligibility requirements contained in this chapter and the Guidelines.
(3) Property owners must sign a waiver acknowledging that the flood mitigation project may not eliminate flood risk or damage.
(4) The County will award grant funds based on available funding and project eligibility.
(Ord. 22-20. Passed 12-14-22.)
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