Elevation data certified by a licensed professional surveyor or registered professional engineer shall be submitted in sufficient detail to allow a thorough review by the Floodplain Administrator.
(A) The proposed development will automatically conform to the flood damage reduction requirements of this chapter if the natural lowest adjacent grade (LAG) to the proposed development is at or above the closest applicable base flood elevation (BFE) specified in the flood insurance study. The applicant shall be advised to apply for a letter of map amendment (LOMA) from FEMA to have the special flood hazard area designation removed from the structure or specific area. If the difference between LAG and BFE is modest, the applicant will also be advised to use caution during site preparation or excavation and information concerning the preferred risk policy should be provided.
(B) (1) The proposed development shall be considered to be within the special flood hazard area if the natural LAG to the proposed development is below either:
(a) The closest applicable BFE specified in the flood insurance study; or
(b) The reasonably safe from flooding elevation determined by the city in approximate floodplains.
(2) The proposed development shall then be required to conform to all appropriate flood damage reduction provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. passed 9-10-2012)