The city engineer is appointed to administer and implement this chapter by granting or denying development permits in accordance with its provisions, and shall be known as the floodplain administrator. The duties and responsibilities of the floodplain administrator shall include but not be limited to the following:
(a) Permit review.
(1) Review all development permits to determine that the permit requirements of this chapter have been satisfied;
(2) All other required state and federal permits have been obtained;
(3) The site is reasonably safe from flooding; and
(4) The proposed development does not adversely affect the carrying capacity of areas where base flood elevations have been determined but a floodway has not been designated. For purposes of this chapter, "adversely affects" means that the cumulative effect of the proposed development when combined with all other existing and anticipated development will increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than one foot at any point.
(b) Use of Other Base Flood Data. When base flood elevation data have not been provided, in accordance with Section 16.52.060, the floodplain administrator shall obtain, review, and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation and floodway data available from a federal, state or other source, in order to administer the standards of construction, standards for utilities, standards for subdivisions, standards for manufactured homes, provisions relating to floodways and provisions relating to coastal high hazard areas provided in this chapter.
(c) Whenever a watercourse is to be altered or relocated:
(1) Notify adjacent communities, the Santa Clara Valley Water District, and the California Department of Water Resources prior to such alteration or relocation of a watercourse, and submit evidence of such notification to the Federal Insurance Administration of the Federal Emergency Management Agency; and
(2) Require that the flood-carrying capacity of the altered or relocated portion of the watercourse is maintained.
(d) Obtain and maintain for public inspection and make available as needed:
(1) The certifications required in subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of Section 16.52.130 (Lowest floor elevations);
(2) The certification required in paragraph (C) of subdivision (2) of subsection (c) of Section 16.52.130 (Elevation or floodproofing of nonresidential structures);
(3) The certification required in paragraph (B) of subdivision (3) of subsection (c) of Section 16.52.130 (Wet floodproofing standard);
(4) The certified elevation required in subsection (b) of Section 16.52.150 (Subdivision standards);
(5) The certification required in subsection (a) of Section 16.52.170 (Floodway encroachments); and
(6) The information required in subsection (f) of Section 16.52.180 (Coastal construction standards).
(e) Make interpretations where needed, as to the exact location of the boundaries of the areas of special flood hazards. Where there is an apparent conflict between a mapped boundary and the actual field conditions, grade and base flood elevations shall be used to determine the boundaries of the special flood hazard area. The person contesting the location of the boundary shall be given a reasonable opportunity to appeal the interpretation as provided hereinafter.
(f) Take action to remedy violations of this chapter as specified in Section 16.52.070.
(Ord. 4557 § 6, 1999: Ord. 3795 § 6, 1988: Ord. 3158 § 1 (part), 1979)