ORD-2007-002 - Amendment to the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance

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REVr.SED 182/07 - 2 and to incorporate the FDPO into the Zoning Ordinance as suggested by the September 14, 2005 letker from Cheryl A. Perry and the December 12, 2006 letter from the County Attorney's office. The BOCC adopted the original FDPO in March 1981, with amendments in 1995 and October 2005. Since May 2004, the Division of Emergency Management has been remapping the Orange County~floodplains for inclusion in the FDPO. As of February 2, 2007, new FIRMs applicable to the County will become effeckive and will replace maps that have been in effect since March 16, 1981. Section 42-38 of the existing ordinance states, "The Special Flood Hazard Area are those identified by the FEMA ... and its accompanying flood maps ... for Orange County dated March 16, 1981, which with accompanying supporting data, and any revision thereto, ... are adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this Ordinance." Thus, the need arises to amend the existing FDPO to specifically incorporate the new FIRM and to cite its effective date of February 2, 2007. The draft ordinance to amend the FDPO text is attached. Letters of map amendment and conditional letters of map amendment approved since 1981 are incorporated into the new FIRMs, effective on February 2, 2007. New map amendments and no-rise certificates for culvert and bridgework after the effective date will be made part of the FIRMs, with technical documentation. The Planning Board met on Wednesday, January 3, 2007, at its regular meeting and recommended that the BOCC approve~the proposed FDPO amendment.' The nine members in attendance voted unanimously to recommend approval. This public hearing is the first step in the implementation process of ensuring that flood hazard potential is reduced. The new maps show little change in the riverine flood plain. As the process of implementation continues, additional community outreach, beyond what has been conducted by the State's floodplain management branch and County staff will be scheduled. The zoning maps will be amended pursuant to a future quarterly public hearing process. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The Planning and Inspections Department has budgeted for Public Hearing advertising costs. RECOMMENDATIONS: The Administration recommends that the Board 1. Hold'a public hearing, 2. Close the public hearing, 3. Approve an amendment to the Orange County Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, to incorporate the new Flood Insurance Rate Map, effective February 2, 2007, and 4. Authorize staff to initiate the process to incorporate the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) into the Zoning Ordinance as a new overlay district and to incorporate the FDPO in the Zoning Ordinance by reference.