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