(a) Designation of Floodplain Administrator. The City Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer is hereby appointed as Floodplain Administrator to administer and implement this local law by granting or denying floodplain development permits in accordance with its provisions.
(b) Development Permits and Site Plan Approvals Required. It shall be unlawful for any contractor, person, partnership, business, or corporation to undertake or cause to be undertaken, any development or the new construction, substantial improvement, repair of substantial damage, the placement or relocation of any structure (including manufactured homes) within City of New Martinsville, unless a permit application and standard site plan has been completed, and a permit has been obtained from the Floodplain Administrator. In addition, where land that is either partially or fully in the regulatory floodplain is to be subdivided, utilized for a manufactured home park or subdivision or otherwise developed, a detailed site plan must be submitted to, and approved by, the Floodplain Administrator prior to any development.
(c) Approval of Permits and Plans.
(1) The Floodplain Administrator shall review, or shall cause to be reviewed; all permit applications and plans in order to determine whether proposed building sites are reasonably safe from flooding.
(2) All permits and plans shall be approved only after it has been determined that the proposed work to be undertaken will be in conformance with the requirements of the state and all other applicable codes and ordinances.
(3) The Floodplain Administrator shall not issue a permit to any person who does not possess a valid contractor's license when a contractor's license is required by West Virginia State Code §21-11-10.
(4) The Floodplain Administrator, before issuance of the permit, shall require the applicant to furnish satisfactory proof that such person is duly licensed as a contractor under the provisions of West Virginia State Code. If the applicant is not licensed a written affidavit that such person is not subject to licensure as a contractor or subcontractor as defined in §21-11-3 shall be provided to the Floodplain Administrator and placed in the permit file.
(5) The Floodplain Administrator shall require copies of all necessary permits from those governmental agencies from which Federal or State Law requires approval.
(6) The Floodplain Administrator shall provide a copy of all permits to the County Assessor as required by West Virginia State Code 11-3-3A.
(7) The Floodplain Administrator shall provide a copy of all permits for new structures to the County E-911 addressing coordinator.
(8) The County E-911 addressing coordinator shall provide a copy of all requests for addresses for new structures to the County Floodplain Administrator.
(9) The City of New Martinsville shall provide sufficient space to allow the Floodplain Administrator to keep on file in perpetuity, in a location safe from natural hazards, all information collected during the course of the administration of this Ordinance.
(d) Application Procedures. Application for a permit and/or site plan approvals shall be made, in writing, on the forms supplied by the City of New Martinsville, and shall include all information stipulated under Section 1711.05
.
(e) Changes. After the issuance of a permit or site plan approval by the Floodplain
Administrator, no changes of any kind shall be made to the application, permit, or any of the plans, specification or other documents submitted with the application without the written consent or approval of the Floodplain Administrator.
(f) Permit Placards.
(1) The Floodplain Administrator shall issue a permit placard, which shall be prominently displayed on the premises during the time construction is in progress. This placard shall show the number of the permit, the date of its issuance and be signed by the Floodplain Administrator.
(2) In areas of flood hazard it shall be unlawful to inspect and approve or install a temporary electrical utility connection to any building or premises, or both, or part thereof hereafter created, erected or rebuilt until a placard has been issued by the Local Floodplain Administrator indicating that the development has applied for a permit and agreed to the requirements of this local law or, in the case of development occurring outside of the identified flood hazard area, a Certificate of Compliance has been issued.
(g) Start of Construction. Work on the proposed development shall begin within 180 days after the date of issuance of the permit or the permit shall expire unless a time extension is granted, in writing, by the Floodplain Administrator. All work on the proposed development must be completed within 18 months of permit issuance, at which time the permit shall expire, unless a time extension is granted in writing by the Floodplain Administrator. The request for a time extension shall be in writing and shall state the reasons for the extension. When considering an extension, the Floodplain Administrator shall consider the following criteria:
(1) Has the developer diligently pursued the completion of the proposed development during the 18 months?
(2) Will the granting of the extension be detrimental to public safety, health, or welfare or injurious to other property?
(h) Stop Work Orders, Inspections and Revocations.
(1) Stop-work orders.
A. The Floodplain Administrator shall issue, or cause to be issued, a "Stop Work Order Notice" for any development found ongoing without having obtained a permit. Disregard of a stop work order shall subject the violator to the penalties described in Section 1711.08(c).
B. The Floodplain Administrator shall issue, or cause to be issued, a "Stop Work Order Notice" for any development found non-compliant with the provisions of this law and/or the conditions of the permit. Disregard of a stop work order shall subject the violator to the penalties described in Section 1711.08(c).
(2) Inspections and revocations.
A. During the construction period, the Floodplain Administrator or other authorized official may inspect the premises to determine that the work is progressing in compliance with the information provided on the permit application and with all applicable laws and ordinances.
B. If the Floodplain Administrator discovers that the work does not comply with the permit application or any applicable laws and ordinances or that there has been false statement or misrepresentation by any applicant, the Floodplain Administrator shall issue a "Stop Work Order Notice" revoke the permit and request a temporary injunction.
C. The Floodplain Administrator or other authorized official may inspect any development covered by this or previous ordinance to determine whether any portion of the development has been altered to be in non-compliance with the requirements of this Ordinance.
(i) Fees.
(1) A Floodplain Determination fee of $100.00, payable to the City of New Martinsville shall be assessed on all proposed development.
(2) In addition, the applicant shall be responsible for reimbursing the City of New Martinsville for any additional costs for services necessary for review and/or inspection of proposed development. Services include, but are not limited to, professional engineering and surveying. The Floodplain Administrator may require a deposit towards these additional costs. Additional costs may include reimbursement for contracted services.
(3) Due to the increased cost of processing, when any work for which a permit is required by this ordinance is started or proceeded with prior to obtaining a permit the fees above specified shall be doubled. The additional fee is intended to reimburse the City for the additional cost of processing permits for work already underway. Payment of the increased fee shall not relieve any person from complying fully with the requirements of this ordinance in the execution of the work or from other penalties prescribed herein.
(4) There is created in the City of New Martinsville a special revenue fund, administered by City Recorder designated the "floodplain development fund". This fund is not part of the general revenue fund of the City of New Martinsville. All fees collected pursuant to this Ordinance shall be deposited into the floodplain development fund. The floodplain development fund shall contain all fees or penalties collected pursuant to this Ordinance, any appropriations to the fund; and any gifts, grants or contributions received.
(5) The City of New Martinsville is restricted to, and shall distribute funds from, the floodplain development fund only for administrative costs associated with management of floodplain development, the maintenance or creation of maps and studies used to administer floodplain development and other activities which will promote and enhance flood plain management issues generally.
(Passed 9-24-09.)
(Passed 9-24-09.)