No variances shall be granted to any development located in a "regulatory floodway" as defined in Section 7-1-3 of this Chapter. However, when a development proposal is located outside of a regulatory floodway but within the flood fringe, and whenever the standards of this Chapter place undue hardship on a specific development proposal, the applicant may apply to the site plan review, committee for a variance. The site plan review committee shall review the applicant's request for a variance and shall submit its recommendation to the City Council.
A. No variance shall be granted unless the applicant demonstrates that:
1. The development activity cannot be located outside the SFHA;
2. An exceptional hardship would result if the variance were not granted;
3. The relief requested is the minimum necessary;
4. There will be no additional threat to public health, safety, beneficial stream uses and functions, especially aquatic habitat, or creation of a nuisance;
5. There will be no additional public expense for flood protection, lost environmental stream uses and functions, rescue or relief operations, policing, or repairs to stream beds and banks, roads, utilities, or other public facilities;
7. The activity is not in a regulatory floodway;
8. The applicant's circumstances are unique and do not represent a general problem; and
9. The granting of the variance will not alter the essential character of the area involved including existing stream uses.
B. The City Engineer shall notify an applicant in writing that a variance from the requirements of Section 7-1-10 that would lessen the degree of protection to a building will:
1. Result in increased premium rates for flood insurance up to amounts as high as twenty five dollars ($25.00) for one hundred dollars ($100.00) of insurance coverage;
2. Increase the risks to life and property; and
3. Require that the applicant proceed with knowledge of these risks and that he will acknowledge in writing that he assumes the risk and liability.
C. Variances requested in connection with restoration of a site or building listed on the National Register of Historical Places or documented as worthy of preservation by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency may be granted using criteria more permissive than the requirements of subsections A and B of this Section. (Ord. 0-90-37, 8-20-1990)