(A) Lands to which this district applies. The provisions of this Overlay District shall apply to all lands within the jurisdiction of the City of Urbandale which are designated as FLOODWAY.
(B) Permitted principal uses. The following uses shall be permitted within the Floodway Overlay District to the extent that they are not prohibited by any underlying zoning district and provided they meet the performance standards set forth in division (D) below; further provided that placement of structures, factory-built dwelling units, recreational vehicles, fill or other obstruction; the storage of materials or equipment; excavation; or alteration of a watercourse shall not be permitted or allowed:
(1) Agricultural uses such as general farming, pasture, grazing, outdoor plant nurseries, horticulture, viticulture, truck farming, forestry, sod farming and wild crop harvesting;
(2) Public and private recreational uses such as golf courses and driving ranges, tennis courts, picnicking, boat ramps, swimming, parks, wildlife and nature preserves, game farms, fish hatcheries, fishing and pedestrian and bicycling trails;
(3) Public and private other open space uses similar in nature to the above uses; and
(4) Public storm and sanitary sewer lines, water mains, and underground utility lines subject to the performance standards set forth in division (D) below.
(C) Conditional uses. The following conditional uses may be allowed by the Board of Adjustment subject to § 160.63, provided such use complies with the requirements of this and all other city codes; is in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan of the city; and those which involve structures (temporary or permanent), fill, storage of materials or equipment may be permitted to the extent that they are not prohibited by any underlying zoning district, and conform to all applicable provisions of the Floodway District performance standards set forth in division (D) below:
(1) Uses or structures accessory to open space uses;
(2) Circuses, carnivals and similar transient amusement enterprises;
(3) Extraction of sands, gravel and other materials;
(4) Marinas, boat rentals, docks, piers, wharves;
(5) Utility transmission lines, underground pipelines;
(6) Small wind energy conversion system (SWECS), subject to § 160.48; and
(7) Other uses which are consistent with the provisions and the general spirit and purpose of the Floodway District.
(D) Performance standards. All Floodway District uses allowed as a permitted or conditional use shall meet the following standards.
(1) No use or structure shall be permitted in the Floodway District that would result in any increase in the base flood elevation. Consideration of the effects of any development on flood levels shall be based upon the assumption that an equal degree of development would be allowed for similarly situated lands.
(2) All uses within the Floodway District shall:
(a) Be consistent with the need to minimize flood damage;
(b) Use construction methods and practices that will minimize flood damage; and
(c) Use construction materials and utility equipment that are resistant to flood damage.
(3) No use shall affect the capacity or conveyance of the channel or floodway or any tributary to the main stream, drainage ditch or any other drainage facility or system.
(4) Structures, buildings and sanitary and utility systems, if permitted, shall be constructed or aligned to present the minimum possible resistance to flood flows.
(5) Buildings, if permitted, shall have a low flood damage potential and shall not be used for human habitation.
(6) Storage of materials or equipment that are buoyant, flammable, explosive or injurious to human, animal or plant life is prohibited.
(7) Watercourse alterations or relocations (channel changes and modifications) shall be designed to maintain the flood carrying capacity within the altered or relocated portion. In addition, such alterations or relocations shall be approved by the Department of Natural Resources.
(8) Any fill allowed in floodway shall be shown to have some beneficial purpose and shall be limited to the minimum amount necessary.
(9) Pipeline crossings of rivers or streams shall be buried in the stream bed and banks or otherwise sufficiently protected to prevent rupture due to channel degradation and meandering or due to the action of flood flows.
(10) Manufactured dwelling parks and recreational vehicle campgrounds and parks shall not be permitted.
(Am. Ord. 2018-18, passed 1-2-19)