(A) The city is a participating member of the National Flood Insurance Program (“NFIP”). The city has adopted the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance for the city, effective November 2, 2005 (Ord. 2005-09) and has adopted the Kentucky Flood Plain Management Hand book.
(B) Reference is hereby made to Ordinance 2005-09 (codified as Chapter 73 of this Code of Ordinances) and the Kentucky Flood Plain Management Hand Book for specific planning and zoning requirements of flood plains. Reference is also made to the periodic Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) flood plain map for determination of the applicability of Ordinance 2005-09 and the Kentucky Flood Plain Management Hand Book.
(C) In support of the NFIP, FEMA identifies flood hazard areas throughout the U.S. and it’s territories by producing Flood Hazard Boundary Maps (FHBMs). Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and Flood Boundary and Floodway Maps (FBFMs). Serveral areas of flood hazards are commonly identified on these maps. One of these areas is the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) or heigh risk area defined as any land that would be inundated by a flood having a 1% chance of occurring in any given year (also referred to as the base flood).
(D) The high-risk area standard constitutes a reasonable compromise between the need for building restrictions to minimize potential loss of life and property and the economic benefits to be derived from flood plain development. Development may take lace within the SFHA, provided that development complies with local flood plain management ordinances, which must meet the minimum Federal requirements. Flood insurance is required for insurable structures within high-risk areas to protect Federal Financial investments and assistance used for acquisition and/or construction purposes within communities participating in the NFIP.
(E) The city is not authorized to grant any variance below SFHA as established by FEMA or contained in Ordinance 2005-09 and the Kentucky Flood Plain Management Hand Book. All elevations and restrictions reflect those criteria put forth by the FEMA Flood Plain mapping program and by ordinance of this city.
(F) The city cannot, by federal regulation, grant any variance below the 1% annual flood zone. This can only be done by FEMA by special permit and by securing a Kentucky State Flood Plain Development Permit. The minimum elevation (lowest floor level including a basement) must be at or above the 421 feet elevation and the foundation must be flood protected with special automatic flood vents with a minimum of two vents. Applicants for building permits are instructed to consult applicable regulations of the NHIP, FEMA and the State of Kentucky.
(G) In addition to the above permits, a standard building permit is required, along with payment of any fees implemented by the City Flood Plain Administrator and the City Building Inspector.
(Ord. 10-05, passed 7-8-10)