1311.04 USE AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR FLOOD HAZARD REDUCTION.
   The following use and development standards apply to development wholly within, partially within, or in contact with any special flood hazard area as established in Section 1311.01(f) or 1311.03(k)(1):
   (a)   Use Regulations.
      (1)   Permitted uses. All uses not otherwise prohibited in this section or any other applicable land use regulation adopted by Village of Monroeville are allowed provided they meet the provisions of these regulations.
      (2)   Prohibited uses.
         A.   Private water supply systems in all special flood hazard areas identified by FEMA, permitted under Chapter 3701 of the Ohio Revised Code.
         B.   Infectious waste treatment facilities in all special flood hazard areas, permitted under Chapter 3734 of the Ohio Revised Code.
   (b)   Water and Wastewater Systems. The following standards apply to all water supply, sanitary sewerage and waste disposal systems not otherwise regulated by the Ohio Revised Code:
      (1)   All new and replacement water supply systems shall be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of floodwaters into the systems;
      (2)   New and replacement sanitary sewerage systems shall be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood waters into the systems and discharge from the systems into flood waters; and,
      (3)   On-site waste disposal systems shall be located to avoid impairment to or contamination from them during flooding.
   (c)   Subdivisions and Large Developments.
      (1)   All subdivision proposals shall be consistent with the need to minimize flood damage and are subject to all applicable standards in these regulations;
      (2)   All subdivision proposals shall have public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical, and water systems located and constructed to minimize flood damage;
      (3)   All subdivision proposals shall have adequate drainage provided to reduce exposure to flood damage; and
      (4)   In all areas of special flood hazard where base flood elevation data are not available, the applicant shall provide a hydrologic and hydraulic engineering analysis that generates base flood elevations for all subdivision proposals and other proposed developments containing at least 50 lots or 5 acres, whichever is less.
      (5)   The applicant shall meet the requirement to submit technical data to FEMA in Section 1311.03(j)(1)A.4. when a hydrologic and hydraulic analysis is completed that generates base flood elevations as required by Section 1311.04(c)(4).
   (d)   Residential Structures.
      (1)   New construction and substantial improvements shall be anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement of the structure resulting from hydrodynamic and hydrostatic loads, including the effects of buoyancy. Where a structure, including its foundation members, is elevated on fill to or above the base flood elevation, the requirements for anchoring (1311.04(d)(1)) and construction materials resistant to flood damage (1311.04(d)(2)) are satisfied.
      (2)   New construction and substantial improvements shall be constructed with methods and materials resistant to flood damage.
      (3)   New construction and substantial improvements shall be constructed with electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing and air conditioning equipment and other service facilities that are designed and/or elevated so as to prevent water from entering or accumulating within the components during conditions of flooding.
      (4)   New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure, including manufactured homes, shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above the flood protection elevation.
      (5)   New construction and substantial improvements, including manufactured homes, that do not have basements and that are elevated to the flood protection elevation using pilings, columns, posts, or solid foundation perimeter walls with openings sufficient to allow unimpeded movement of flood waters may have an enclosure below the lowest floor provided the enclosure meets the following standards:
         A.   Be used only for the parking of vehicles, building access, or storage; and
         B.   Be designed and certified by a registered professional engineer or architect to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls by allowing for the entry and exit of floodwaters; or
         C.   Have a minimum of two openings on different walls having a total net area not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed area, and the bottom of all such openings being no higher than one foot above grade. The openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, or other coverings or devices provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.
      (6)   Manufactured homes shall be affixed to a permanent foundation and anchored to prevent flotation, collapse or lateral movement of the structure resulting from hydrodynamic and hydrostatic loads, including the effects of buoyancy. Methods of anchoring may include, but are not limited to, use of over the top or frame ties to ground anchors.
      (7)   Repair or rehabilitation of historic structures upon a determination that the proposed repair or rehabilitation will not preclude the structure's continued designation as a historic structure and is the minimum necessary to preserve the historic character and design of the structure, shall be exempt from the development standards of Section 1311.04(d).
   (e)   Nonresidential Structures.
      (1)   New construction and substantial improvement of any commercial, industrial or other nonresidential structure shall meet the requirements of Section 1311.04(d)(1) - (3) and (5) - (7).
      (2)   New construction and substantial improvement of any commercial, industrial or other non-residential structure shall either have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above the level of the flood protection elevation; or, together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, shall meet all of the following standards:
         A.   Be dry floodproofed so that the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water to the level of the flood protection elevation;
         B.   Have structural components capable of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy; and,
         C.   Be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect, through the use of a Federal Emergency Management Agency Floodproofing Certificate, that the design and methods of construction are in accordance with Section 1311.04(e)(2)A and B.
   (f)   Accessory Structures. Relief to the elevation or dry floodproofing standards may be granted for accessory structures containing no more than 600 square feet. Such structures must meet the following standards:
      (1)   They shall not be used for human habitation;
      (2)   They shall be constructed of flood resistant materials;
      (3)   They shall be constructed and placed on the lot to offer the minimum resistance to the flow of floodwaters;
      (4).   They shall be firmly anchored to prevent flotation;
      (5)   Service facilities such as electrical and heating equipment shall be elevated or floodproofed to or above the level of the flood protection elevation; and
      (6)   They shall meet the opening requirements of Section 1311.04(d)(5)C;
   (g)   Recreational Vehicles. Recreational vehicles must meet at least one of the following standards:
      (1)   They shall not be located on sites in special flood hazard areas for more than 180 days, or
      (2)   They must be fully licensed and ready for highway use, or
      (3)   They must meet all standards of Section 1311.04(d).
   (h)   Above Ground Gas or Liquid Storage Tanks. All above ground gas or liquid storage tanks shall be anchored to prevent flotation or lateral movement resulting from hydrodynamic and hydrostatic loads.
   (i)   Assurance of Flood Carrying Capacity. Pursuant to the purpose and methods of reducing flood damage stated in these regulations, the following additional standards are adopted to assure that the reduction of the flood carrying capacity of watercourses is minimized:
      (1)   Development in floodways.
         A.   In floodway areas, development shall cause no increase in flood levels during the occurrence of the base flood discharge. Prior to issuance of a floodplain development permit, the applicant must submit a hydrologic and hydraulic analysis, conducted by a registered professional engineer, demonstrating that the proposed development would not result in any increase in the base flood elevation; or
         B.   Development in floodway areas causing increases in the base flood elevation may be permitted provided all of the following are completed by the applicant:
            1.   Meet the requirements to submit technical data in Section 1311.03(j)(1);
            2.   An evaluation of alternatives, which would not result in increased base flood elevations and an explanation why these alternatives are not feasible;
            3.   Certification that no structures are located in areas that would be impacted by the increased base flood elevation;
            4.   Documentation of individual legal notices to all impacted property owners within and outside the community, explaining the impact of the proposed action on their property; and
            5.   Concurrence of the Mayor of the Village of Monroeville and the Chief Executive Officer of any other communities impacted by the proposed actions.
      (2)   Development in Riverine Areas with Base Flood Elevations but No Floodways.
         A.   In riverine special flood hazard areas identified by FEMA where base flood elevation data are provided but no floodways have been designated, the cumulative effect of any proposed development, when combined with all other existing and anticipated development, shall not increase the base flood elevation more than 1.0 (one) foot at any point. Prior to issuance of a floodplain development permit, the applicant must submit a hydrologic and hydraulic analysis, conducted by a registered professional engineer, demonstrating that this standard has been met; or,
         B.   Development in riverine special flood hazard areas identified by FEMA where base flood elevation data are provided but no floodways have been designated causing more than one foot increase in the base flood elevation may be permitted provided all of the following are completed by the applicant:
            1.   An evaluation of alternatives which would result in an increase of one foot or less of the base flood elevation and an explanation why these alternatives are not feasible;
            2.    Section 1311.04(i)(1)B, items 1 and 3-5.
      (3)   Alterations of a Watercourse. For the purpose of these regulations, a watercourse is altered when any change occurs within its banks. The extent of the banks shall be established by a field determination of the "bankfull stage." The field determination of "bankfull stage" shall be based on methods presented in Chapter 7 of the USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RM-245, Stream Channel Reference Sites: An Illustrated Guide to Field Technique or other applicable publication available from a Federal, State, or other authoritative source. For all proposed developments that alter a watercourse, the following standards apply:
         A.   The bankfull flood carrying capacity of the altered or relocated portion of the watercourse shall not be diminished. Prior to the issuance of a floodplain development permit, the applicant must submit a description of the extent to which any watercourse will be altered or relocated as a result of the proposed development, and certification by a registered professional engineer that the bankfull flood carrying capacity of the watercourse will not be diminished.
         B.   Adjacent communities, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water, must be notified prior to any alteration or relocation of a watercourse. Evidence of such notification must be submitted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
         C.   The applicant shall be responsible for providing the necessary maintenance for the altered or relocated portion of said watercourse so that the flood carrying capacity will not be diminished. The Floodplain Administrator may require the permit holder to enter into an agreement with Village of Monroeville specifying the maintenance responsibilities. If an agreement is required, it shall be made a condition of the floodplain development permit.
         D.   The applicant shall meet the requirements to submit technical data in Section 1311.03(j)(1)A3 when an alteration of a watercourse results in the relocation or elimination of the special flood hazard area, including the placement of culverts.
            (Ord. 2010-15. Passed 10-26-10.)
   1311.05 APPEALS AND VARIANCES.
   (a)   Appeals Board Established.
      (1)   The Village of Monroeville Zoning Board of Appeals is hereby appointed to serve as the Appeals Board for these regulations as established by Village Code.
      (2)   Records of the Appeals Board shall be kept and filed in the Administrative Offices at 2 South Main Street, Monroeville, Ohio.
   (b)   Powers and Duties.
      (1)   The Appeals Board shall hear and decide appeals where it is alleged there is an error in any order, requirement, decision or determination made by the Floodplain Administrator in the administration or enforcement of these regulations.
      (2)   Authorize variances in accordance with Section 1311.05(d) of these regulations.
   (c)   Appeals. Any person affected by any notice and order, or other official action of the Floodplain Administrator may request and shall be granted a hearing on the matter before the Appeals Board provided that such person shall file, within 20 days of the date of such notice and order, or other official action, a brief statement of the grounds for such hearing or for the mitigation of any item appearing on any order of the Floodplain Administrator's decision. Such appeal shall be in writing, signed by the applicant, and be filed with the Floodplain Administrator. Upon receipt of the appeal, the Floodplain Administrator shall transmit said notice and all pertinent information on which the Floodplain Administrator's decision was made to the Appeals Board.
   Upon receipt of the notice of appeal, the Appeals Board shall fix a reasonable time for the appeal, give notice in writing to parties in interest, and decide the appeal within a reasonable time after it is submitted.
   (d)   Variances. Any person believing that the use and development standards of these regulations would result in unnecessary hardship may file an application for a variance. The Appeals Board shall have the power to authorize, in specific cases, such variances from the standards of these regulations, not inconsistent with Federal regulations, as will not be contrary to the public interest where, owning to special conditions of the lot or parcel, a literal enforcement of the provisions of these regulations would result in unnecessary hardship.
      (1)   Application for a variance.
         A.   Any owner, or agent thereof, of property for which a variance is sought shall make an application for a variance by filing it with the Floodplain Administrator, who upon receipt of the variance shall transmit it to the Appeals Board.
         B.   Such application at a minimum shall contain the following information: Name, address, and telephone number of the applicant; legal description of the property; parcel map; description of the existing use; description of the proposed use; location of the floodplain; description of the variance sought; and reason for the variance request.
         C.   All applications for a variance shall be accompanied by a variance application fee set in the schedule of fees adopted by the Village of Monroeville.
      (2)   Public hearing. At such hearing the applicant shall present such statements and evidence as the Appeals Board requires. In considering such variance applications, the Appeals Board shall consider and make findings of fact on all evaluations, all relevant factors, standards specified in other sections of these regulations and the following factors:
         A.   The danger that materials may be swept onto other lands to the injury of others.
         B.   The danger to life and property due to flooding or erosion damage.
         C.   The susceptibility of the proposed facility and its contents to flood damage and the effect of such damage on the individual owner.
         D.   The importance of the services provided by the proposed facility to the community.
         E.   The availability of alternative locations for the proposed use that are not subject to flooding or erosion damage.
         F.   The necessity to the facility of a waterfront location, where applicable.
         G.   The compatibility of the proposed use with existing and anticipated development.
         H.   The relationship of the proposed use to the comprehensive plan and floodplain management program for that area.
         I.   The safety of access to the property in times of flood for ordinary and emergency vehicles.
         J.   The expected heights, velocity, duration, rate of rise, and sediment transport of the floodwaters and the effects of wave action, if applicable, expected at the site.
         K   The costs of providing governmental services during and after flood conditions, including maintenance and repair of public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical, and water systems, and streets and bridges.
      (3)   Variances shall only be issued upon:
         A.   A showing of good and sufficient cause.
         B.   A determination that failure to grant the variance would result in exceptional hardship due to the physical characteristics of the property. Increased cost or inconvenience of meeting the requirements of these regulations does not constitute an exceptional hardship to the applicant.
         C.   A determination that the granting of a variance will not result in increased flood heights beyond that which is allowed in these regulations; additional threats to public safety; extraordinary public expense, nuisances, fraud on or victimization of the public, or conflict with existing local laws.
         D.   A determination that the structure or other development is protected by methods to minimize flood damages.
         E.   A determination that the variance is the minimum necessary, considering the flood hazard, to afford relief.
Upon consideration of the above factors and the purposes of these regulations, the Appeals Board may attach such conditions to the granting of variances, as it deems necessary to further the purposes of these regulations.
      (4)   Other conditions for variances.
         A.   Variances shall not be issued within any designated floodway if any increase in flood levels during the base flood discharge would result.
         B.   Generally, variances may be issued for new construction and substantial improvements to be erected on a lot of one half acre or less in size contiguous to and surrounded by lots with existing structures constructed below the base flood level, providing items in Section 1311.05(d)(2)A to K have been fully considered. As the lot size increases beyond one half acre, the technical justification required for issuing the variance increases.
         C.   Any applicant to whom a variance is granted shall be given written notice that the structure will be permitted to be built with a lowest floor elevation below the base flood elevation and the cost of flood insurance will be commensurate with the increased risk resulting from the reduced lowest floor elevation.
   (e)   Procedure at Hearings.
      (1)   All testimony shall be given under oath.
      (2)   A complete record of the proceedings shall be kept, except confidential deliberations of the Appeals Board, but including all documents presented and a verbatim record of the testimony of all witnesses.
      (3)   The applicant shall proceed first to present evidence and testimony in support of the appeal or variance.
      (4)   The Administrator may present evidence or testimony in opposition to the appeal or variance.
      (5).   All witnesses shall be subject to cross-examination by the adverse party or their counsel.
      (6).   Evidence that is not admitted may be proffered and shall become part of the record for appeal.
      (7)   The Appeals Board shall issue subpoenas upon written request for the attendance of witnesses. A reasonable deposit to cover the cost of issuance and service shall be collected in advance.
      (8)   The Appeals Board shall prepare conclusions of fact supporting its decision. The decision may be announced at the conclusion of the hearing and thereafter issued in writing or the decision may be issued in writing within a reasonable time after the hearing.
   (f)   Appeal to the Court. Those aggrieved by the decision of the Appeals Board may appeal such decision to the Huron County Court of Common Pleas, as provided in Chapter 2506 of the Ohio Revised Code. (Ord. 2010-15. Passed 10-26-10.)