Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
9 <br /> <br />6. Regular Agenda <br /> <br />a. Designation of an Agent to Administer Orange County’s Application to FEMA’s <br />Hazard Mitigation Grant Program <br />The Board considered voting to designate an agent for Orange County’s application to <br />the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grants Program for <br />repetitive loss property acquisition and to serve as a sub-applicant for the University of Chapel <br />Hill to fund the installation of a generator for its Emergency Operation Center and authorize the <br />Manager to sign. <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: During September 14th through 17th, 2018 Orange County was significantly <br />impacted by torrential rain and winds due to Hurricane Florence. As a result, significant flooding <br />occurred over the course of several days, and Orange County was included in the list of <br />counties that received a major disaster declaration from FEMA on October 22, 2018. (Disaster <br />number: 4393-DR-NC). Orange County is submitting a grant request for the two projects <br />outlined below: <br /> <br />Project #1 <br />Despite emergency protective measures that were taken by the County, several residential <br />properties were flooded during Hurricane Florence due to heavy and cumulative rainfall. One of <br />these properties, 503 Brandywine Road (PIN 9777-20-6348) within the Chapel Hill Township, <br />sustained significant damage. Flood waters effectively destroyed the first level of the home and <br />all of its contents. Staff completed a damage assessment of the property and concluded that the <br />property sustained approximately $87,000 in damage. <br /> <br />The property was developed sometime in 1971 before the County adopted comprehensive <br />floodplain mitigation standards, and it is located within an identified floodplain. This property is <br />considered to be at ‘high risk’ for flooding, as defined by FEMA. <br /> <br />Over the past 10 years, this property has suffered repetitive losses due to heavy rains and <br />flooding. Both the Planning and Inspections Department and Emergency Services Department <br />have coordinated efforts during this time period to secure the necessary funding to purchase the <br />property and remove the existing residence. Based on its flooding history, the property officially <br />constitutes a potential public safety hazard, but staff had been unable to sufficiently justify <br />requests for acquisition and removal due to a lack of significant damage. However, as a result <br />of the flooding that occurred during Hurricane Florence, staff can designate the property as <br />being ‘substantially damaged’, consistent with the provisions of the Unified Development <br />Ordinance (UDO) and are able to justify a grant request for acquisition. Once the County <br />receives the grant funds, the County will acquire the property, contract for the deconstruction of <br />the house, and restore the property to green space. <br /> <br />Project #2 <br />Orange County has received a request from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to <br />serve as the sub-applicant for an emergency generator project on the University’s behalf. UNC <br />Chapel Hill is seeking grant funding to install an emergency generator to support its <br />environmental health and safety facility on Estes Drive Extension, which serves as the campus <br />Emergency Operations Center. The total of this grant request is approximately $414,000. A <br />letter of request from UNC Chapel Hill is attached. <br /> <br />As a part of the process, the County must adopt a resolution designating an agent to apply for <br />and receive project assistance from FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grants Program. <br />