Orange County NC Website
to Jr, <br />C. PUBLIC HEARING ITEM 0./ <br />1. Orange County Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance Amendments <br />a. Amend the existing 1981 Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance according to Federal Emergency <br />Management Agency (FEMA) Region IV suggestions and the new State of North Carolina model <br />for non - coastal jurisdictions. <br />b. Continue participation in the Community Rating System (CRS), which can moderate property <br />insurance costs. <br />c. Review Administrative Procedures for the issuance of development permits near floodplains. <br />Planning Director Craig Benedict said that this is the only formal public hearing item on the agenda. <br />This is a standalone ordinance. Orange County became a participating community in the National Flood <br />Insurance Program in 1975 and entered the regular FEMA -NFIP on March 16, 1981. A new series of <br />maps has recently been published that show where the flood hazard areas have changed. Since 1994, the <br />County has only permitted three structures within floodplains. The State made some recommendations <br />that are part of this ordinance. He said that adopting this amended ordinance would improve the <br />community insurance rating system. The recommendation is to close the public hearing and adopt the <br />amended ordinance. <br />There was no one signed up to speak to this item. <br />Commissioner Jacobs made reference to page 27 and the list of chemical compounds. He asked if <br />there were any petroleum products because he thought some plastics were made out of petroleum <br />products. Craig Benedict said that some products made from petroleum have been converted before they <br />get to the site. He said that they could elaborate on certain products. Commissioner Jacobs asked to <br />differentiate between treated wood and wood that can be reused. <br />Commissioner Jacobs made reference to page 28 and asked if the State requires the County to <br />allow new construction in flood hazard areas. Craig Benedict said that, according to the State, <br />development is allowed in the floodplain if there are certain precautions. The County can do an outright <br />prohibition. <br />Geof Gledhill said that there is an opportunity for hardships to be dealt with, and he could not think <br />of a legal problem where the County could not prohibit new construction in flood prone areas. <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked about the Public Market House, which will be the Farmer's Market, and <br />said that part of it will encroach on the floodway. This would be in violation to what he just proposed. <br />Craig Benedict said that there are definitions about livable areas, and this would not be classified as a <br />livable area. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that he would be interested in having the Planning Board make a <br />recommendation to the County Commissioners. <br />Commissioner Gordon asked about page five and what is meant by "common usage." Craig <br />Benedict said that this is a catchall phrase suggested by the State. <br />Commissioner Gordon would also like a recommendation from the Planning Board. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to ask the <br />Planning Board and staff to consider more closely the list of prohibited compounds and consider an <br />outright ban on new primary construction in flood hazard areas. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />Chair Carey asked that it be brought back no sooner than September 1 st <br />John Link asked for clarification on the terms flood prone and floodplain. Craig Benedict said that <br />they are interchangeable. <br />Commissioner Gordon said that there is the floodplain, then the flood fringe. Craig Benedict said <br />that they would work on the definitions. <br />D. NON - PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS <br />1. Update on Rural Enterprises Project <br />