(a) Generally, variances may be issued for new construction and substantial improvements to be erected on a lot of one-half (½) acre or less in size contiguous to and surrounded by lots with existing structures constructed below the base flood level, providing the criteria in Section 1329.12(b) have been fully considered. As the lot size increases beyond the one-half (½) acre, the technical justification required for issuing the variance increases.
(b) Variances may be issued for the reconstruction, rehabilitation or restoration of a structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the State Inventory of Historic Places, or one which has been designated a Streetsboro Landmark or is located in a Landmark District, without regard to the remaining procedures set forth in this section.
(c) Variances shall not be issued within any designated flood way if any increase in flood levels during the base flood discharge would result.
(d) Variances shall only be issued upon a determination that the variance is the minimum necessary, considering the flood hazard, to afford relief.
(e) Variances shall only be issued upon a finding of the following:
(1) Good and sufficient cause.
(2) A determination that failure to grant the variance would result in exceptional hardship to the applicant.
(3) A determination that the granting of a variance will not result in increased flood heights, beyond that which is allowed in this chapter, additional threats to public safety, extraordinary public expense, public nuisances, fraud on or victimization of the public, or conflict with existing Federal or State laws or the Codified Ordinances.
(f) Any applicant to whom a variance is granted shall be given written notice by the Building Director that the structure may be built with a lowest floor elevation below the base flood elevation and that the cost of flood insurance will be commensurate with the increased risk resulting from the reduced lowest floor elevation.
(Ord. 1999-02. Passed 1-11-99.)