ORD-2005-127 - Revisions to the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance

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IMPLEMENTATION One stipulation in the federal and state floodplain regulations mandates that local governments use the best available data. Since August 2004, staff has used the new floodplain contour elevations in the review of new structures in the Neuse Basin and since the spring of 2005 for the Cape Fear Basin. Staff checks all permits on flood -prone lands for the base flood elevation and lowest adjacent grade (both to the tenth of a foot). No new proposed structures have been less than five vertical feet (freeboard) above the base flood elevation. The new mapping added flood -prone areas in some places and reduced them in others. The overall effect is that the total flood -prone area has remained essentially the same. However, the number of residential and commercial structures within the County's floodplains has decreased from 80 to 30 structures. The remaining 39 residential and commercial structures, because of the stream buffer restrictions, are the focus of the revised ordinance. If the structures are substantially damaged or substantially improved, then they will have to meet the new, higher flood damage prevention standards. To date, none of the remaining structures has applied for building permits. Unless they need a permit, the ordinance will not affect them. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Additional departmental staff time will be required to properly administer the revised flood damage prevention ordinance. The use of the revised regulations, a condition of participation in the Community Rating System, could provide public financial benefits in the form of flood insurance rebates. Department involvement would eventually include, but not be limited to Planning and Inspections Department, EMS, Information Services, the Library system, Public Works, Environmental and Resource Conservation, and Parks and Recreation. RECOMMENDATIONS: The Administration recommends that the Board adopt the amended flood damage prevention ordinance. The Planning Staff recommends that the Board adopt the amended flood damage prevention ordinance.