HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 77-12 - National Flood InsuranceORDINANCE NO. 77-12
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR CONTINUED PARTICIPATION BY THE CITY
OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS IN THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM BY
ESTABLISHING MINIMUM FLOOD PLAIN MANAGEMENT RULES AND REGULATIONS
ESTABLISHED BY HUD AND AS AUTHORIZED BY ARTICLE 8280-13 OF VERNON'S
ANNOTATED CIVIL STATUTES WHICH PERMITS TEXAS HOME RULE CITIES TO ADOPT
LAND USE AND CONTROL MEASURES AND APPOINTING THE BUILDING OFFICIAL
RESPONSIBLE FOR ADMINISTRATION OF AND ENFORCEMENT OF THIS ORDINANCE,
PROVIDING FOR PROCEDURES FOR GRANTING OF VARIANCES.
WHEREAS, certain areas of the City of Georgetown, Texas are subject to periodic flooding
from North Fork of San Gabriel River, Middle Fork of San Gabriel River and South Fork of
San Gabriel River and West Fork Smith Branch Causing serious damages to properties within
these areas; and
WHEREAS, relief is available in the form of flood insurance as authorized by the National
Flood Insurance Act of 1968 as amended; and
WHEREAS, it is the intent of the City Council of the City of Georgetown, Texas to comply
with land use and management criteria regulations as required in said act; and
WHEREAS, it is also the intent of the City Council of the City of Georgetown, Texas to
recognize and duly evaluate flood hazards in all official actions relating to land use in the flood
plan areas having special flood hazards; and
WHEREAS, the Flood Plain Management Ordinance enacted by this body on April 8, 1974,
does not fully provide for enforcement of all HUD, Federal Insurance Administration rules and
%J regulations for administration of the National Flood Insurance program adopted since April 1974;
and
�Q WHEREAS, to remain eligible for participation in the National Flood Insurance program,
%'J the City of Georgetown must adopt the latest minimum HUD Standards; and
WHEREAS, Article 8280-13 of Vermon's Annotated Civil Statutes has authorized the
City of Georgetown, to adopt land use and control measures.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS:
FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION ORDINANCE
ARTICLE I - STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION, FINDINGS OF FACT, PURPOSE AND
OBJ ECTI V ES
SECTION A. STATUTOTY AUTHORIZATION
The Legislature of the State of Texas has in Article 8280-13 of Vernon's Annotated Civil
Statues delegated the responsibility to local governmental units to adopt regulations designed
to minimize flood losses. Therefore, the City Council of City of Georgetown, Texas does
ordain as follows:
SECTION B. FINDINGS OF FACT
(1) The fbod hazard areas of the City of Georgetown are subject to periodic inundation which
results in loss of life and property, health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and
governmental services, and extraordinary public expenditures for flood protection and relief,
all of which adversely affect the public health, safety and general welfare.
(2) These flood losses are created by the cumulative effect of obstructions in flood plains
which cause an increase in flood heights and velocities, and by the occupancy of flood hazard
areas by uses vulnerable to floods and hazardous to other lands because they are inadequately
elevated, floodproffed, or otherwise protected from flood damage.
SECTION C. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
It is the purpose of this ordinance to promote the public health, safety and general welfare
and to minimize public harm and private losses in special food hazard areas with provisions
designed to:
(1) Restrict or prohibit uses that are dangerous to health, safety or property in times of flood,
or cause excessive increases in flood heights or velocities;
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(2) Require that uses vulnerable to floods,' including public facilities which serve such uses,
be protected against flood damage at the time of initial construction;
(3) Control, in the sense of providing authoritative guidance, the alteration of natural
flood plains, their protective barriers and stream channels;
(4) Prevent the construction of barriers which will divert flood waters and subject other
lands to greater fl ood hazards;
(5) Control, in the sense of authoritative guidance, development which would cause greater
erosion or potential flood damage such as grading, dredging and excavation.
SECTION D. OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this ordinance are:
(1) To protect human life and property exposed to the hazards of flooding;
(2) To ensure that potential property owners are notified if property is in a special flood
hazard area;
(3) To minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding and generally
undertaken at the expense of the general public;
(4) To minimize prolonged business interruptions;
(5) To minimize damage to public facilities and utilities such as water and gas mains, electric,
telephone and sewer lines, streets and bridges located in special flood hazard areas;
(6) To minimize expenditure of future public money for costly flood control projects.
ARTICLE 2
DEFINITIONS
Unless specifically defined below, works or phases used in this ordinance shall be inter-
preted to give them the meaning they have in common usage and to give this ordinance
its most reasonable application.
Appeal ---Means a request for a review of the City Building Officials interpretation of any
provision of this ordinance or a request for a variance.
Area of Shallow Flooding ---Means a designated AO Zone on a community's Flood Insurance
Rate Map (FIRM) with base flood depths from one to three feet. This condition occurs where
a clearly defined channel does not exist, where the path of flooding in unpredictabel and
indeterminate, and where velocity flow may be evident.
Area of Special Flood Hazard ---is the land in the flood plain within a community subject
to a one percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year.
Base Flood ---means the flood having a one percent chance of being equalled or exceeded
in any given year.
Development ---means any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, includ-
in but not limited to buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading,
paving, excavation or drilling operations.
Existing Mobile Home Park or Mobile Home Subdivision ---means a parcel (or contiguous parcels)
of land divided into two or more mobile home lots for rent or sale for which the construction
of facilities for servicing the lot on which the mobile home is to be affixed (including, at
a minimum, the installation of utilities, either final site grading or the pouring of concrete
pads, and the construction of streets) is completed before the effective date of this ordin-
ance.
Expansion To An Existing Mobile Home Park or Mobile Home Subdivision ---means the pre-
paration of additional sites by the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which
the mobile homes are to be affixed (including the installation of utilties, either final site
grading or pouring of concrete pads, or the construction of streets).
Flood or F looding---means a general and temporary condition of partial or complete
inundation of normally dry land areas from:
(1) the overflow of inland or tidal waters.
(2) The unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source.
Flood Hazard Boundary Map(F HBM)- --means an official map of a community, issued by
the Federal Insurance Administration, where the areas within the boundaries of special
flood hazards have been designated as Zone A.
Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) ---means an official map of a community, on which the
Federal Insurance Administration has delineated both the areas of special flood hazards
and the risk premium zones applicable to the community.
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Flood Insurance Study ---is the official report provided by the Federal Insurance Administration.
The report contains flood profiles, the water surface elevation of the base flood, as well as
the Flood Hazard Boundary --- Floodway Map.
Floodway ---means the channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas
that t must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the
water surface elevation more than one foot.
Habitable Floor ---means any floor usable for living purposes, which includes working, sleeping,
eating, cooking or recreation, or a combination thereof. A floor used for storage purposes only
is not a "habitable floor".
Mean Sea Level ---means the average height of the sea for all stages of the tide.
Mobile Home ---means a structure, transposable in one or more sections, which is built on a per-
manent c asis and designed to be used with or without a permanent foundation when connected to
the required utilities. It does not include recreational vehicles or travel trailers.
New Mobile Home Park or Mobile Home Subdivision ---means a parcel (or contiguous parcels)
o land divided into two or more mobile ome ots for rent or sale for which the construction of
facilities for servicing the lot on which the mobile home is to be affixed (including, at a
minimum, the installation of utilities, either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads,
and the construction of streets) is completed on or after the effective date of this ordinance.
Start of Construction ---Means the first placement of permanent construction of a structure (other
than a mobilehome) on a site, such as the pouring of slabs or footings or any work beyond the
stage of excavation. Permanent construction does not include land preparation, such as clearing,
grading, and filling; nor does it include the installation of streets and/or walkways; nor does
y it include excavation for a basement footings, piers or foundations or the erection of temporary
.V. forms; nor does it include the installation on the property of accessory buildings, such as
garages or sheds not occupied as dwelling units or not as part of the main structure. For a
-L structure (other than a mobile home) without a basement or poured footings, the "start of construct
I`Z ion" includes the first permanent framing or assembly of the structure or any part thereof on its
piling or foundation. For mobile homes not within a mobile home park or mobile home sub-
division, "start of construction" means the affixing of the mobile home to its permanent site.
For mobile homes within mobile home parks or mobile home subdivisions, "start of construction"
is the date on which the construction of facilities for servicing the site on which the mobile home
is to be affixed (including, at a minimum, the construction of streets, either final site grading
or the pouring of concrete pads, and installation of utilities) is completed. .
Structure ---means a walled and roofed building that is principally above ground, as well as
a mobi le home.
Substantial Improvement --- means any repair, reconstruction, or improvement of a structure,
the cost of which equals or exceeds 50 percent of the market value of the structure either, (1)
before the improvement or repair is started, or (2) if the structure has been damaged and is
being restored, before the damage occurred. For the purposes of this definition "substantial
improvement" is considered to occur when the first alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor, or
other structural part of the building commences, whether or not that alteration affects the exter-
nal dimensions of the structure. The term does not, however, include either (1) any project for
improvement of a structure to comply with existing state or local health, sanitary, or safety
code specifications which are solely necessary to assure safe living conditions, or (2) any alteration
of a structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places or a State Inventory of Historic
Places.
Variances --- is a grant of relief to a person from the requirements of this ordinance when specific
enforcement would result in unnecessary hardship. A variance, therefore, permits construction
or development in a manner otherwise prohibited by this ordinance.
ARTICLE 3
GENERAL PROVISION
SECTION A. LANDS TO WHICH THIS ORDINANCE APPLIES
This ordinance shall apply to all areas of special flood hazard within the jurisdiction of City
of Georgetown, Texas.
SECTION B. BASIS FOR ESTABLISHING THE AREAS OF SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD
The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal Insurance Administration on its
Flood Hazard Boundary Map (FHBM), #H-01-08, dated March 8, 1974, and any revisions thereto
are hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this ordinance.
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SECTION C. ESTABLISHMENT OF DEVELOPMENT PERMIT
A Development Permit shall be required to ensure conformance with the provisions of
this ordinance.
SECTION D. COMPLIANCE
No structure or land shall hereafter be locarea, airerea, or nave its use changed without
full compliance with the terms of this ordinance and other applicable regulations.
SECTION E. ABROGATION AND GREATER RESTRICTIONS
This ordinance is not intended to repeal, abrogate, or impair any existing easements, covenants,
or deed restrictions. However, where this ordinance and another conflict or overlap, which-
ever imposes the more stringent restrictions shall prevail.
SECTION F. INTERPRETATION
In the interpretation and application of this ordinance,all provisions shall be- (1) con-
sidered as minimum requirements; (2) liberally constructed in favor of the governing body;
and (3) deemed neither to limit or repeal any other powers granted under State Statutes.
SECTION G. WARNING AND DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY
The degree of flood protection required by this ordinance is considered reasonable for
regulatory purposes and is based on scientific and engineering considerations. On rare
occasions greater floods can and will occur and flood heights may be increased by man-made
or natural causes. This. ordinance does not imply that land outside the areas of special flood
hazards or uses permitted within such areas will be free from flooding or flood damages.
This ordinance shall not create liability on the part of The City of Georgetown or any officer
or employee thereof for any flood damages that result from reliance on this ordinance or
any administrative decision lawfully made thereunder.
ARTICLE 4
ADMINISTRATION
SECTION A. DESIGNATION OF THE BUILDING OFFICIAL
The building Official is hereby appointed to administer and implement the provisions of
this ordinance.
SECTION B. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BUILDING OFFICIAL
Duties and responsibilities of the Building Official shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) Maintain and hold open for public inspection all records pertaining to the provisions
of this ordinance;
(2) Review, approve or deny all applications for development permits required by Article 3,
Section C of this ordinance;
(3) Review permits for proposed development to assure that all necessary permits have been
obtained from those Federal, State or local governmental agencies from which prior approval
is required;
(4) Where interpretation is needed as to the exact location of the boundaries of the areas
of special floodhazards (for example, where there appears to be a conflict between a
mapped boundary and actual field conditions) the Building Official shall make the necessary
interpretation.
(5) Notify adjacent communities and the Texas Water Development Board prior to any
alteration or relocation of a watercourse, and submit evidence of such notification to the
Federal Insurance Administration;
(6) Assure that maintenance is provided within the altered or relocated portion of said
watercourse so that the flood carrying capacity is not diminished.
(7) When base flood elevation data has not been provided in accordance with Article 3,
Section B, the Building Official shall obtain, review, and reasonably utilize any base
flood elevation data available from a Federal, State, or other source, in order to admin-
ister the provision of Article 5.
SECTION C. PERMIT PROCEDURES
(1) Application for a Development Permit shall be presented to the Building Official on forms
furnished by him and may include, but not be limited to, plans in duplicate drawn to scale
showing the location, dimensions, and elevation of proposed landscape alterations, existing
and proposed structures, and the location of the foregoing in relation to areas of special flood
hazard. Additionally, the following information is required:
(a) Elevation in relation to mean sea level, of the lowest floor (including basement)
of all proposed structures;
(b) Elevation in relation to mean sea level to which any non-residential structure shall
be floodproofed;
(c) A certificate from a registered professional engineer or architect that the non-residential
floodproofed structure shall meet the floodproofing criteria of Article 5, Section B (2);
(d) Description of the extent to which any watercourse or natural drainage will be
altered or relocated as a result of proposed development.
(2) Approval or denial of a Development Permit by the Building Official shall be based on all
of the provisions of this ordinance and the following relevant factors:
(a) The danger to life and property due to flooding or erosion damage;
(b) The susceptibility of the proposed facility and its contents to flood damage and the
effect of such damage on the individual owner;
(c) The danger that materials may be swept onto other lands to the injury of others;
(d) The compatibility of the proposed use with existing and anticipated development;
(e) The safety of access to the property in times of flood for ordinary and emergency
.�. vehicles;
ap (f) The costs of providing governmental services during and after flood conditions including
=i7 maintenance and repair of streets and bridges, and public utilities and facilities such as sewer,
gas, electrical and water systems.
(g) The expected heights, velocity, duration, rate of rise and sediment transport of
the flood waters and the effects of wave action, if applicable, expeced at the site;
(h) The necessity to the facility of a waterfront location, where applicable;
(i) The availability of alternative locations, not subject to flooding or erosion damage, for
the proposed use;
(j) The relationship of the proposed use to the comprehensive plan for that area.
SECTION D. VARIANCES PROCEDURES
(1) The Building Code Board of Adjustments and Appeals as established by the City of Georgetown
shall hear and render judgement on requests for variances from the requirements of this ordinance.
(2) The Building Code Board of Adjustments and Appeals shall hear and render judgement on
an appeal only when it is alleged there is an error in any requirement, decision, or determination
made by the Building Official in the enforcement or administration of this ordinance.
(3) Any person or persons aggreived by the decision of the Building Code Board of Adjustments
and appeals may appeal such decision in the courts of competent jurisdiction. .
(4) The Building Official shall maintain a record of all actions involving an appeal and shall
report variances to the Federal Insurance Administration upon request.
(5) Variances may be issued for the reconstruction, rehabilitation or restoration of structures
listed on the National Register of Historic Places or the State Inventory of Historic Places, without
regard to the procedures set forth in the remainder of this section.
(b) Generally, variances may be issued for new construction and substantial improvements
tobe erected on a lot of one-half acre or less in size contiguous to and surrounded by lots with
existing structures constructed below the base flood level, providing the relevant factors in
Section C (2) of this Article have been fully considered. As the lot size increases beyond the
one-half acre, the technical justification required for issuing the variance increases.
(7) Upon consideration of the factors noted above and the intent of this ordinance, the Building
Code Board of Adjustments and Appeals may attach such conditions to the granting of variances
as it deems necessary to further the purpose and objectives of this ordinance (Article 1,
Sections C and D)
(8) Variances shall not be issued within any designated floodway if any increase in flood
levels during the base flood discharge would result.
(9) Prerequisites for granting variances:
(a) Variances shall only be issued upon a determination that the variance is the minimum
necessary, considering the flood hazard, to afford relief.
(b) Variances shall only be issued upon (i) a showing of good and sufficient cause,
ii) a determination that failure to grant the variance would result in exceptional hardship
to the applicant, and (iii) a determination that the granting of a variance will not result in
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increased flood heights, additional threats to public safety, extraordinary public expense,
create nuisances, cause fraud on or victimization of the public, or conflict with existing
local laws or ordinances.
(c) Any applicant to whom a variance is granted shall be given written notice that
the structure will be permitted to be built with a lowest floor elevation feet
below the base flood elevation, and that the cost of flood insurance will be commen-
surate with the increased risk resulting from the reduced lowest floor elevation.
ARTI LCE 5
PROVISIONS FOR FLOOD HAZARD REDUCTION
SECTION A. GENERAL STANDARDS
In all areas of special flood hazards the following provisions are required.
(1) All new construction and substantial improvements shall be anchored to prevent
flotation, collapse or lateral, movement of the structure;
(2) All new construction or substantial improvements shall be constructed by methods and
practices that minimize flood damage;
(3) All new construction or substantial improvements shall be constructed with materials
and utility equipment resistant to flood damage;
(4) All new and replacement water supply systems shall be designed to minimize or
eliminate infiltration of floodwaters into the system;
(5) New and replacement sanitary sewage systems shall be designed to minimize or elim-
inate infiltration of flood waters into the system and discharges from the systems into
flood waters; and,
(6) On site waste disposal systems shall be located to avoid impairment to them or con-
tamination from them during flooding.'
SECTION B. SPECIFIC STANDARDS
In all areas of special flood hazards where base flood elevation data has been provided as
set forth in (i) Article 3, Section B, (ii) Article 4, Section B, (7), or (iii) Article 5,
Section D, (3) the following provision s are required:
(1) Residential Construction - New construction or substantial improvement of any resid-
ential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above the
base flood elevation. A registered professional engineer, architect, or land surveyor shall
submit a certification to the Building Official that the standard of this subsection, as
proposed in Article 4, Section C(1) (a), is satisfied.
(2) Non-residential Construction - New construction or substantial improvement of any
commercial, industrial or other non-residential structure shall either have the lowest floor,
including basement, elevated to the level of the base flood elevation or, together with
attendent utility and sanitary facilities, be floodproofed so that below the base flood level
the structure is water tight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water
and with structural components having the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydro-
dynamic loads and effects of buoyancy. A registered professional engineer or architect
shall submit a certification to the Building Official that the standards of this subsection as
proposed in Article 4, Section C (1) (c), are satisfied.
(3) Mobile Homes -
(a) No mobile home shall be placed in a floodway, or if applicable, a coastal
high hazard area, except in an existing mobile home park or existing mobile home sub-
division.
(b) All mobile homes shall be anchored to resist flotation, collapse, or lateral
movement. Specific requirements shall be:
(i) over-thetop ties at each of the four corners of the mobile home, with two
additional ties per side at intermediate locations and pobile homes less than 50 feet
long requiring one additional tie per side;
(ii) frame ties at each corner of the home with five additional ties per side at
intermediate points and mobile homes less than 50 feet long requiring fouradditional tie
per side;
(iii) all components of the anchoring system be capable of carrying a force of
4, 800 pounds;
(iv) any additions to the mobile home be similarly anchored.
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SECTION C. STANDARDS FOR SUBDIVISION PROPOSALS
(1) All subdivision proposals shall be consistent with Article 1, Sections B, C, and D of
this ordinance.
(2) All proposals for the development of subdivisions shall meet development permit require-
ments of Article 3, Section C, Article 4, Section c, and the provisions of Article 5 of this
ordinance.
(3) Base flood elevation data shall be provided for subdivision proposals and other proposed
development which is greater than the lesser of 50 lots or 5 acres, if not otherwise provided
pursuant to Article 3, Section B or Article 4, Section B (7) of this ordinance.
(4) All subdivision proposals shall have adequate drainage provided to reduce exposure to
flood hazards.
(5) All subdivision proposals shall have public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical
and water systems located and constructed to minimize flood damage.
PASSED AND APPROVED on the first reading this the 10th day of May 1977.
PASSED AND APPROVED on the second reading this the 23rd day of May 1977.
N. ATTEST:
w
City Secretary
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Joe B. McMaster, City Attorney
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Jqbn C. Doerfler, A43yor