HomeMy WebLinkAbout283
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. STATE OF MINNESOTA
COUNTY OF RAMSEY
CITY OF ARDEN HILLS
ORDINANCE NO. 283
AN ORDINANCE ADDING CHAPTER 9.6 TO THE ARDEN HILLS
MUNICIPAL CODE AND REPEALING CHAPTER 9.5 RELATIVE
TO THE FLOOD PLAIN MANAGEMENT.
The Arden Hills City Council ordains that Chapter 9.6 and its
subdivisions are hereby added to the Arden Hills Municipal Code to
read as follows:
CHAPTER 9.6 - FLOOD PLAIN MANAGEMENT
ARTICLE I. STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION, FINDINGS OF FACT AND PURPOSE
Section 9.6-1. statutory Authorization: This regulation is enacted
pursuant to the provisions of M.S. l03F and 462.357, which outlined
local government units to adopt regulations designed to minimize
flood losses.
Section 9.6-2. Findings of Fact:
. (A) The flood hazard areas of the City of Arden Hills,
Minnesota, are subject to periodic inundation which
results in potential loss of life, loss of property,
health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and
governmental services, extraordinary public expenditures
or flood protection and relief, and impairment of the tax
base, all of which adversely affect the public health,
safety, and general welfare.
(E) Method Used to Analyze Flood Hazards. These regulations
are based upon a reasonable method of analyzing flood
hazards which is consistent with the standards established
by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Section 9.6-3. Statement of Purpose: It is the purpose of Chapter
9.6 to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare and to
minimize those losses described in Section 9.6-2(A) by provisions
contained herein.
ARTICLE II. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 9.6-4. Lands to Which Ordinance Applies: These regulations
shall apply to all lands within the City of Arden Hills as shown on
the Official Zoning Map and/or the attachments thereto as being
located within the boundaries of the Floodway, Flood Fringe, or
e General Flood Plain Districts.
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. Section 9.6-5. Establishment of Official Zoning Map: The Official
Zoning Map together with all materials attached thereto is hereby
adopted by reference and declared to be a part of these regulations.
The attached material shall include the Flood Insurance Study for
the City of Arden Hills prepared by the Federal Insurance
Administration dated July 2, 1981, and the Flood Boundary and
Floodway Map and Flood Insurance Rate Map dated July 2, 1981
therein. The Official Zoning Map is on file in the Office of the
City Administrator.
Section 9.6-6. Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation: The
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation shall be an elevation no lower
than one foot above the elevation of the regional flood plus any
increases in flood elevation caused by encroachments on the flood
plain that result from designation of a floodway.
Section 9.6-7. Interpretation:
(A) In their interpretation and application, these regulations
shall be held to be minimum requirements and shall be
liberally construed in favor of the City and shall not be
deemed a limitation or repeal of any other powers granted
by State Statutes.
(B) The boundaries of the zoning districts shall be determined
by scaling distances on the Official Zoning Map. Where
. interpretation is needed as to the exact location of the
boundaries of the district as shown on the Official Zoning
Map, as for example where there appears to be a conflict
between a mapped boundary and actual field conditions and
there is a formal appeal of the decision of the Zoning
Administrator, the Board of Adjustment shall make the
necessary interpretation. All decisions will be based on
elevations on the regional (lOO-year) flood profile and
other available technical data. Person contesting the
location of the district boundaries shall be given a
reasonable opportunity to present their case to the Board
and to submit technical evidence.
Section 9.6-8. Abrogation and Greater Restrictions: These
regulations are not intended to repeal, abrogate, or impair any
existing easements, covenants, or deed restrictions. However, where
the provisions of these regulations impose greater restrictions, the
greater restrictions shall prevail. All other City Regulations
inconsistent with Chapter 9.6 are hereby suspended to the extent of
the inconsistency only.
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. Section 9.6-9. Warning and Disclaimer of Liability: The provisions
of Chapter 9.6 do not imply that areas outside the flood plain
districts or land uses permitted within such districts will be free
from flooding or flood damages. This Chapter shall not create
liability on the part of the City of Arden Hills or any officer or
employee thereof for any flood damages that result from reliance on
this Chapter or any administrative decision lawfully made
thereunder.
Section 9.6-10. Severability: If any section, clause, provision,
or portion of this Chapter is adjudged unconstitutional or invalid
by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this Chapter
shall not be affected thereby.
Section 9.6-ll. Definitions: Unless specifically defined below,
words or phrases used in this Chapter shall be interpreted so as to
give them the same meaning as they have in common usage and so as to
give this Chapter its most reasonable application.
(1 ) Accessory Use or structure. A use or structure on the
same lot with, and of a nature customarily incidental and
subordinate to, the principal use or structure.
(2) Basement. Any area of a structure, including crawl
spaces, having its floor or base subgrade (below ground
level) on all four sides, regardless of the depth of
. excavation below ground level.
(3) Special Use. A specific type of structure or land use
listed in the official control that may be allowed but
only after an in-depth review procedure and with
appropriate conditions or restrictions as provided in the
official zoning controls or building codes and upon a
finding that: (1 ) certain conditions as detailed in the
zoning ordinance exist and (2) the structure an/or land
use conform to the comprehensive land use plan if one
exists and are compatible with the existing neighborhood.
(4) Equal Degree of Encroachment. A method of determining the
location of floodway boundaries so the flood plain lands
on both sides of a stream are capable of conveying a
proportionate share of flood flows.
( 5) Flood. A temporary increase in the flow or stage of a
stream or in the stage of a wetland or lake that results
in the inundation of normally dry areas.
( 6) Flood Frequency. The frequency for which it is expected
that a specific flood stage or discharge may be equalled
or exceeded.
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. (7) Flood Fringe. That portion of the flood plain outside of
the floodway. Flood fringe is synonymous with the term
"floodway fringe" used in the Flood Insurance Study for
the City of Arden Hills.
(8 ) Flood Plain. The beds proper and the areas adjoining a
wetland, lake or watercourse which have been or hereafter
may be covered by the regional flood.
(9 ) Flood-Proofing. A combination of structural provisions,
changes, or adjustments to properties and structures
subject to flooding, primarily for the reduction or
elimination of flood damages.
(10) Floodway. The bed of a wetland or lake and the channel of
a watercourse and those portions of the adjoining flood
plain which are reasonably required to carry or store the
regional flood discharge.
(11) Obstruction. Any dam, wall, wharf, embankment, levee,
dike, pile, abutment, projection, excavation, channe 1 ,
modification, culvert, building, wire, fence, stockpile,
refuse, fill, structure, or matter in, along, across, or
projecting into any channel, watercourse, or regulatory
flood plain which may impede, retard, or change the
direction of the flow of water, either in itself or by
. catching or collecting debris carried by such water.
(12) Principal Use or Structure. All uses or structures that
are not accessory uses or structures.
( 13) Reach. A hydraulic engineering term to describe a
longitudinal segment of a stream or river influenced by a
natural or man-made obstruction. In an urban area, the
segment of a stream or river between two consecutive
bridge crossings would most typically constitute a reach.
(14) Regional Flood. A flood which is representative of large
floods known to have occurred generally in Minnesota and
reasonably characteristic of what can be expected to occur
on an average frequency in the magnitude of the 100-year
recurrence interval. Regional flood is synonymous with
the term "base flood" used in the Flood Insurance Study.
(15) Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation. The Regulatory
Flood Protection Elevation shall be an elevation no lower
than one foot above the elevation of the regional flood
plus any increases in flood elevation caused by
encroachment on the flood plain that result from
designation of a floodway.
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. (16) structure. Anything constructed or erected on the ground
or attached to the ground or on-site utilities, including,
but not limited to, buildings, factories, sheds, detached
garages, cabins, manufactured homes, travel trailers/
vehicles not meeting the exemption criteria specified in
Section 9.6-34(A) of the Ordinance and other similar
items.
(17) Variance. A modification of a specific permitted
development standard required in an official control
including Chapter 9.6 to allow an alternative development
standard not stated as acceptable in the official control,
but only as applied to a particular property for the
purpose of alleviating a hardship, practical difficulty or
unique circumstance as defined and elaborated upon in a
community's respective planning and zoning enabling
legislation.
ARTICLE III. ESTABLISHMENT OF ZONING DISTRICTS
Section 9.6-12. Districts:
(A) Floodway District. The Floodway District shall include
those areas designated as floodway on the Flood Boundary
and Floodway Map adopted in Section 9.6-5.
. (B) Flood Fringe District. The Flood Fringe District shall
inClude those areas designated as floodway fringe on the
Flood Boundary and Floodway Map adopted in Section 9.6-5.
(C) General Flood Plain District. The General Flood Plain
District shall include those areas designated as
unnumbered A Zones on the Flood Insurance Rate Map adopted
in Section 9.6-5.
Section 9.6-13. Compliance: No new structure or land shall
hereafter be used and no structure shall be located, extended,
converted, or structurally altered without full compliance with the
terms of this Chapter and other applicable regulations. Within the
Floodway, Flood Fringe and General Flood Plain Districts, all uses
not listed as permitted uses or special uses in Articles IV, V, and
VI that follow, respectively, shall be prohibited. In addition, a
caution is provided here that:
(A) New manufactured homes, replacement manufactured homes and
certain travel trailers and travel vehicles are subject to
the general provisions of this Chapter and specifically
Article IX;
(B) Modifications, additions, structural alterations or repair
after damage to existing nonconforming structures and
. nonconforming uses of structures or land are regulated by
the general provisions of this Chapter and specifically
Article XI; and
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. (C) As-built elevations for elevated or flood proofed
structures must be certified by ground surveys and flood
proofing techniques must be designed and certified by a
registered professional engineer or architect as specified
in the general provisions of this Chapter and specifically
as stated in Article X of Chapter 9.6.
ARTICLE IV. FLOODWAY DISTRICT
Section 9.6-14. Permitted Uses:
(A) General farming, pasture, grazing, outdoor plant
nurseries, horticulture, truck farming, forestry, sod
farming, and wild crop harvesting.
(B) Industrial-commercial loading areas, parking areas, and
airport landing strips.
(C) Private and public golf courses I tennis courts, driving
ranges, archery ranges, picnic grounds, boat launching
ramps, swimming areas, parks, wildlife and nature
preserves, game farms, fish hatcheries, shooting
preserves, target ranges, trap and skeet ranges, hunting
and fishing areas, and single or multiple purpose
recreational trails.
. (D) Residential lawns, gardens, parking areas, and play areas.
Section 9.6-15. Standards for Floodway Permitted Uses:
(A) The use shall have a low flood damage potential.
(B) The use shall be permissible in the underlying zoning
district if one exists.
(C) The use shall not obstruct flood flows or increase flood
elevations and shall not involve structures, fill,
obstructions, excavations or storage of material or
equipment.
Section 9.6-16. Special Uses:
(A) Structures accessory to the uses listed in Section 9.6-14
above and the uses listed in Sections 9.6-l6(B) through
9.6-l6(H) below.
(B) Extraction and storage of sand, gravel, and other
materials.
(C) Marinas, boat rentals, docks, piers, wharves, and water
control structures.
. (D) Railroads, streets, bridges, utility transmission lines,
and pipelines.
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. (E) storage yards for equipment, machinery or materials.
(F) Placement of fill.
(G) Travel trailers and travel vehicles either on individual
lots of record or in existing or new subdivisions or
commercial or condominium type campgrounds, subject to the
exemptions and provisions of Section 9.6-34.
(H) Structural works for flood control such as levees, dikes
and floodwalls constructed to any height where the intent
is to protect individual structures and levees or dikes
where the intent is to protect agricultural crops for a
frequency flood event equal to or less than the lOO-year
frequency flood event.
Section 9.6-17. Standards for Floodway Special Uses:
(A) All Uses. No structure (temporary or permanent) , fill
(including fill for roads and levees) , deposit,
obstruction, storage of materials or equipment, or other
uses may be allowed as a Special Use that will cause any
increase in the stage of the lOO-year or regional flood or
cause an increase in flood damages in the reach or reaches
affected.
. (B) All floodway Special Uses shall be subject to the
procedures and standards contained in Section 9.6-38.
(C) The Special Use shall be permissible in the underlying
zoning district if one exists.
(D) Fill:
(1 ) Fill, dredge spoil and all other similar materials
deposited or stored in the flood plain shall be
protected from erosion by vegetative cover,
mulching, riprap or other acceptable method.
(2) Dredge spoil sites and sand and gravel operations
shall not be allowed in the floodway unless a long-
term site development plan is submitted which
inCludes an erosion/sedimentation prevention element
to the plan.
(3) As an alternative, and consistent with Subsection
(2) immediately above, dredge spoil disposal and
sand and gravel operations may allow temporary, on-
site storage of fill or other materials which would
have caused an increase to the stage of the lOO-year
or regional flood but only after the City has
. received an appropriate plan which assures the
removal of the materials from the floodway based
upon the flood warning time available. The Special
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. Use Permit must be title registered with the
property in the Office of the County Recorder.
(E) Accessory structures:
(1 ) Accessory structures shall not be designed for human
habitation.
(2) Accessory structures, if permitted, shall be
constructed and placed on the building site so as to
offer the minimum obstruction to the flow of flood
waters.
(a) Whenever possible, structures shall be
constructed with the longitudinal axis parallel
to the direction of flood flow; and
(b) So far as practicable, structures shall be
placed approximately on the same flood flow
lines as those of adjoining structures.
(3) Accessory structures shall be elevated or fill or
structurally dry flood proofed in accordance with
the FP-l or FP-2 flood proofing classifications in
the State Building Code. As an alternative, an
accessory structure may be flood proofed to the FP-3
. or FP-4 flood proofing classification in the State
Building Code provided the accessory structure
constitutes a minimal investment, does not exceed
500 square feet in size, and for a detached garage,
the detached garage must be used solely for parking
of vehicles and limited storage. All flood proofed
accessory structures must meet the following
additional standards, as appropriate:
(a) The structure must be adequately anchored to
prevent flotation, collapse or lateral movement
of the structure and shall be designed to
equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior
walls; and
(b) Any mechanical and utility equipment in a
structure must be elevated to or above the
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation or
properly flood proofed.
(F) storage of Materials and Equipment:
(1) The storage or processing of materials that arer in
time of flooding, flammable, explosive, or
potentially injurious to human, animal, or plant
. life is prohibited.
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. ( 2 ) storage of other materials or equipment may be
allowed if readily removable from the area within
the time available after a flood warning and in
accordance with a plan approved by the City Council.
(G) Structural works for flood control that will change the
course, current or cross section of protected wetlands or
public waters shall be subject to the provisions of
Minnesota Statute, Chapter 103G. Community-wide
structural works for flood control intended to remove
areas from the regulatory flood plain shall not be allowed
in the floodway.
(H) A levee, dike or floodwall constructed in the floodway
shall not cause an increase to the 100-year or regional
flood and the technical analysis must assume equal
conveyance or storage loss on both sides of a stream.
ARTICLE V. FLOOD FRINGE DISTRICT
Section 9.6-18. Permitted Uses: Permitted Uses shall be those uses
of land or structures listed as Permitted Uses in the underlying
zoning use district(s). If no pre-existing, underlying zoning use
districts exist, then any residential or non-residential structure
or use of a structure or land shall be a Permitted Use in the Flood
Fringe provided such use does not constitute a public nuisance. All
. Permitted Uses shall comply with the standards for Flood Fringe
"Permitted Uses" listed in Section 9.6-l9 and the "Standards for all
Flood Fringe Uses" listed in Section 9.6-22.
Section 9.6-19. Standards for Flood Fringe Permitted Uses:
(A) All structures, including accessory structures, must be
elevated on fill so that the lowest floor including
basement floor is at or above the Regulatory Flood
Protection Elevation. The finished fill elevation for
structures shall be no lower than one (1 ) foot below the
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation and the fill shall
extend at such elevation at least fifteen (15) feet beyond
the outside limits of the structure erected thereon.
(B) As an alternative to elevation on fill, accessory
structures that constitute a minimal investment and that
do not exceed 500 square feet for the outside dimension at
ground level may be internally flood proofed in accordance
with Section 9.6-l7(E)(3).
(C) The cumulative placement of fill where at anyone time in
excess of one-thousand (1,000) cubic yards of fill is
located on the parcel shall be allowable only as a Condi-
tional Use, unless said fill is specifically intended to
. elevate a structure in accordance with Section 9.6-l9(A).
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. (D) The storage of any materials or equipment shall be
elevated on fill to the Regulatory Flood Protection
Elevation.
(E) The provisions of Section 9.6-22 shall apply.
Section 9.6-20. Special Uses: Any structure that is not elevated
on fill or flood proofed in accordance with Section 9.6-l9(A) and
(B) or any use of land that does not comply with the standards in
Section 9.6-l9(C) and (D) shall only be allowable as a Special Use.
An application for a Special Use shall be subject to the standards
and criteria and evaluation procedures specified in Sections 9.6-21,
9.6-22, and 9.6-38.
Section 9.6-21. Standards for Flood Fringe Special Uses:
(A) Alternative elevation methods other than the use of fill
may be utilized to elevate a structure's lowest floor
above the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation. These
alternative methods may include the use of stilts,
pilings, parallel walls, etc. , or above-grade, enclosed
areas such as crawl spaces or tuck under garages. The
base or floor of an enclosed area shall be considered
above-grade and not a structure's basement or lowest floor
if:
. (1 ) The enclosed area is above-grade on at least one
side of the structure;
(2) It is designed to internally flood and is con-
structed with flood resistant materials; and
(3) It is used solely for parking of vehicles, building
access or storage.
(B) The above-noted alternative elevation methods are subject
to the fOllowing additional standards:
(1 ) Design and Certification. The structure's design
and as-built condition must be certified by a
registered professional engineer or architect as
being in compliance with the general design stan-
dards of the State Building Code and, specifically,
that all electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing
and air conditioning equipment and other service
facilities must be at or above the Regulatory Flood
Protection Elevation or be designed to prevent flood
water from entering or accumulating within these
components during times of flooding.
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. (2) Specific Standards for Above-Grade, Enclosed Areas.
Above-grade, fully enclosed areas such as crawl
spaces or tuck under garages must be designed to
internally flood and the design plans must
stipulate:
(a) The minimum area of openings in the walls where
internal flooding is to be used as a flood
proofing technique. When openings are placed
in a structure's walls to provide for entry of
flood waters to equalize pressures, the bottom
of all openings shall be no higher than one-
foot above grade. Openings may be equipped
with screens, louvers, val ves, or other
coverings or devices provided that they permit
the automatic entry and exit of flood waters.
(b) That the enclosed area will be designed of
flood resistant materials in accordance with
the FP-3 or FP-4 classifications in the State
Building Code and shall be used solely for
building access, parking of vehicles or
storage.
(C) Basements, as defined by Section 9.6-11(2), shall be
. subject to the following:
(1 ) Residential basement construction shall not be
allowed below the Regulatory Flood Protection
Elevation.
(2) Non-residential basements may be allowed below the
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation provided the
basement is structurally dry flood proofed in
accordance with Section 9.6-2l(D).
(D) All areas of non-residential structures including
basements to be placed below the Regulatory Flood
Protection Elevation shall be flood proofed in accordance
with the structurally dry flood proofing classifications
in the State Building Code. Structurally dry flood
proofing must meet the FP-l or FP-2 flood proofing
classification in the State Building Code and this shall
require making the structure watertight with the walls
substantially impermeable to the passage of water and with
structural components having the capability of resisting
hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and the effects of
buoyancy. Structures flood proofed to the FP-3 and FP-4
classification shall not be permitted.
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. (E) When at anyone time more than 1,000 cubic yards of fill
or other similar material is located on a parcel for such
activities as on-site storage, landscaping, sand and
gravel operations, landfills, roads, dredge spoil disposal
or construction of flood control works, an erosion/sedi-
mentation control plan must be submitted unless the
community is enforcing a state approved shoreland manage-
ment ordinance. In the absence of a state approved
shoreland ordinance, the plan must clearly specify methods
to be used to stabilize the fill on site for a flood event
at a minimum of the lOa-year or regional flood event. The
plan must be prepared and certified by a registered pro-
fessional engineer or other qualified individual accept-
able to the City. The plan may incorporate alternative
procedures for removal of the material from the flood
plain if adequate flood warning time exists.
(F) storage of Materials and Equipment:
(l) The storage or processing of materials that are, in
time of flooding, flammable, explosive, or poten-
tially injurious to human, animal, or plant life is
prohibited.
(2) Storage of other materials or equipment may be
allowed if readily removable from the area within
. the time available after a flood warning and in
accordance with a plan approved by the City Council.
(G) The provisions of Section 9.6-22 shall also apply.
Section 9.6-22. Standards for All Flood Fringe Uses:
(A) All new principal structures must have vehicular access at
or above an elevation not more than two (2) feet below the
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation. If a variance to
this requirement is granted, the Board of Adjustment must
specify limitations on the period of use or occupancy of
the structure for times of flooding and only after
determining that adequate flood warning time and local
flood emergency response procedures exist.
(B) Commercial Uses. Accessory land uses, such as yards,
railroad tracks, and parking lots may be at elevations
lower than the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation.
However, a permit for such facilities to be used by the
employees or the general public shall not be granted in
the absence of a flood warning system that provides
adequate time for evacuation if the area would be
inundated to a depth greater than two (2) feet or be
subject to flood velocities greater that four (4) feet per
. second upon occurrence of the regional flood.
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. (C) Manufacturing and Industrial Uses: Measures shall be
taken to minimize interference with normal plant
operations especially along streams having protracted
flood durations. Certain accessory land uses such as
yards and parking lots may be at lower elevations subject
to requirements set out in Section 9.6-22(B) above. In
considering permit applications, due consideration shall
be given to needs of an industry whose business requires
that it be located in flood plain areas.
(D) Fill shall be properly compacted and the slopes shall be
properly protected by the use of riprap, vegetative cover
or other acceptable method. The Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) has established criteria for
removing the special flood hazard area designation for
certain structures properly elevated on fill above the
lOO-year flood elevation - FEMA' s requirements incorporate
specific fill compaction and side slope protection
standards for multi-structure or multi-lot developments.
These standards should be investigated prior to the
initiation of site preparation if a change of special
flood hazard area designation will be requested.
(E) Flood plain developments shall not adversely affect the
hydraulic capacity of the channel and adjoining flood
plain of any tributary watercourse or drainage system
. where a floodway or other encroachment limit has not been
specified on the Official Zoning Map.
(F) Standards for travel trailers and travel vehicles are
contained in Section 9.6-34.
(G) All manufactured homes must be securely anchored to an
adequately anchored foundation system that resists
flotation, collapse and lateral movement. Methods of
anchoring may include, but are not to be limited to, use
of over-the-top or frame ties to ground anchors. This
requirement is in addition to applicable state of local
anchoring requirements for resisting wind forces.
ARTICLE VI. GENERAL FLOOD PLAIN DISTRICT
Section 9.6-23. Permissible Uses:
(A) The uses listed in Section 9.6-14 shall be permitted uses.
(B) All other uses shall be subject to the floodway/flood
fringe evaluation criteria pursuant to Section 9.6-24
below. Article IV shall apply if the proposed use is in
the Floodway District and Article V shall apply if the
proposed use is in the Flood Fringe District.
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. Section 9.6-24. Procedures for Floodway and Flood Fringe Determina-
tions Within the General Flood Plain District.
(A) Upon receipt of an application for a Special Use Permit
for a use within the General Flood Plain District, the
applicant shall be required to furnish such of the
following information as is deemed necessary by the Clerk
Administrator for the determination of the Regulatory
Flood Protection Elevation and whether the proposed use is
within the Floodway or Flood Fringe District.
(1) A typical valley cross-section showing the channel
of the stream, elevation of land areas adjoining
each side of the channel, cross-sectional areas to
be occupied by the proposed development, and high
water information.
(2) Plan (surface view) showing elevations or contours
of the ground; pertinent structure, fill, or storage
elevations; size, location, and spatial arrangement
of all proposed and existing structures on the site;
location and proposed and existing structures on the
site; location and elevations of streets; photo-
graphs showing existing land uses and vegetation
upstream and downstream; and soil type.
. (3) Profile showing the slope of the bottom of the
channel or flow line of the stream for at least 500
feet in either direction from the proposed develop-
ment.
(B) The applicant shall be responsible to submit one copy of
the above information to a designated engineer or other
expert person or agency for technical assistance in
determining whether the proposed use is in the Floodway or
Flood Fringe District and to determine the Regulatory
Flood Protection Elevation. Procedures consistent with
Minnesota Regulations 1983, Parts 6120.5000 - 6120.6200
shall be followed in this expert evaluation. The
designated engineer or expert is strongly encouraged to
discuss the proposed technical evaluation methodology with
the respective Department of Natural Resources' Area
Hydrologist prior to commencing the analysis. The
designated engineer or expert shall:
(l) Estimate the peak discharge of the regional flood.
(2) Calculate the water surface profile of the regional
flood based upon a hydraulic analysis of the stream
channel and overbank areas.
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. (3) Compute the floodway necessary to convey or store
the regional flood without increasing flood stages
more than 0.5 foot. A lesser stage increase than
0.5 foot shall be required if, as a result of the
additional state increase, increased flood damages
would result. An equal degree of encroachment on
both sides of the stream within the reach shall be
assumed in computing floodway boundaries.
(C) The Clerk Administrator shall present the technical
evaluation and findings of the designated engineer or
expert to the Governing Body. The Governing Body must
formally accept the technical evaluation and the
recommended Floodway and/or Flood Fringe District boundary
or deny the permit application. The Governing Body, prior
to official action, may submit the application and all
supporting data and analyses to the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, the Department of Natural Resources or
the Planning Commission for review and comment. Once the
Floodway and Flood Fringe Boundaries have been determined,
the Governing' Body shall refer the matter back to the
Clerk Administrator who shall process the permit
application consistent with the applicable provisions of
Article IV and V of Chapter 9.6.
ARTICLE VII. SUBDIVISIONS
. Section 9.6-25. Review Criteria: No land shall be subdivided which
is unsuitable for the reason of flooding, inadequate drainage, water
supply or sewage treatment facilities. All lots within the flood
plain districts shall contain a building site at or above the
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation. All subdivisions shall have
water and sewage treatment facilities that comply with the
provisions of Chapter 9.6 and have road access both to the
subdivision and to the individual building sites no lower than two
(2) feet below the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation. For all
subdivisions in the flood plain, the Floodway and Flood Fringe
boundaries, the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation and the
required elevation of all access roads shall be clearly labelled on
all required subdivisions drawings and platting documents.
Section 9.6-26. Floodway jFlood Fringe Determinations in the General
Flood Plain District: In the General Flood Plain District appli-
cants shall provide the information required in Section 9.6-24 of
Chapter 9.6 to determine the 100-year flood elevation, the Floodway
and Flood Fringe District boundaries and the Regulatory Flood
Protection Elevation for the subdivision site.
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. Section 9.6-27. Removal of Special Flood Hazard Area Designation:
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has established
criteria for removing the special flood hazard area designation for
certain structures properly elevated on fill above the lOO-year
flood elevation. FEMA's requirements incorporate specific fill
compaction and side slope protection standards for multi-structure
or multi-lot developments. These standards should be investigated
prior to the initiation of site preparation if a change of special
flood hazard area designation will be requested.
ARTICLE VIII. PUBLIC UTILITIES, RAILROADS, ROADS, AND BRIDGES
Section 9.6-28. Public Utilities. All public utilities and
facilities such as gas, electrical, sewer, and water supply systems
to be located in the flood plain shall be flood proofed in
accordance with the State Building Code or elevated to above the
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation.
Section 9.6-29. Public Transportation Facilities. Railroad tracks,
roads, and bridges to be located within the flood plain shall comply
with Article IV and V of Chapter 9.6. Elevation to the Regulatory
Flood Protection Elevation shall be provided where failure or
interruption of the transportation facilities would result in danger
to the public health or safety or where such facilities are
essential to the orderly functioning of the area. Minor or
auxiliary roads or railroads may be constructed at a lower elevation
. where failure or interruption of transportation services would not
endanger the public health or safety.
Section 9.6-30. On-Site Sewage Treatment and Water Supply Systems.
Where public utilities are not provided:
(A) On-site water supply systems must be designed to minimize
or eliminate infiltration of flood waters in the systems;
and
(B) New or replacement on-site sewage treatment systems must
be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood
waters into the systems and discharges from the systems
into flood waters and they shall not be subject to
impairment of contamination during times of flooding.
Any sewage treatment system designed in accordance with the State's
current statewide standards for on-site sewage treatment systems
shall be determined to be in compliance with this Section.
ARTICLE IX. MANUFACTURED HOMES AND MANUFACTURED HOME PARKS AND
PLACEMENT OF TRAVEL TRAILERS AND TRAVEL VEHICLES.
Section 9.6-3l. New manufactured home parks and expansions to
existing manufactured home parks shall be subject to the provisions
. placed on subdivisions by Article VII of Chapter 9.6.
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. Section 9.6-32. The placement of new or replacement manufactured
homes in existing manufactured home parks or on individual lots of
record that are located in flood plain districts will be treated as
a new structure and may be placed only if elevated in compliance
with Article V of Chapter 9.6. If vehicular road access for pre-
existing manufactured home parks is not provided in accordance with
Section 9.6-22(A), then replacement manufactured homes will not be
allowed until the property owner(s) develops a flood warning
emergency plan acceptable to the City Council.
Section 9.6-33. All manufactured homes must be securely anchored to
an adequately anchored foundation system that resists flotation,
collapse and lateral movement. Methods of anchoring may include,
but are not to be limited to, use of over-the-top or frame ties to
ground anchors. This requirement is in addition to applicable state
or local anchoring requirements for resisting wind forces.
Section 9.6-34. Travel trailers and travel vehicles that do not
meet the exemption criteria specified in Section 9-6.34(A) below
shall be subject to the provisions of Chapter 9.6 and as
specifically spelled out in Sections 9.6-34(C) and (D) below.
(A) Exemption. Travel trailers and travel vehicles are exempt
from the provisions of Chapter 9.6 if they are placed in
any of the areas listed in Section 9.6-34(B) below and
further they meet the following criteria:
. (1 ) Have current licenses required for highway use.
(2) Are highway ready meaning on wheels or the internal
jacking system, are attached to the site only by
quick disconnect type utilities commonly used in
campgrounds and trailer parks and the travel
trailer/travel vehicle has no permanent structural
type additions attached to it.
(3) The travel trailer or travel vehicle and associated
use must be permissible in any pre-existing, under-
lying zoning use district.
(B) Areas Exempted For Placement of Travel/Recreational
Vehicles:
(1) Individual lots or parcels of record.
(2) Existing commercial recreational vehicle parks or
campgrounds.
(3) Existing condominium type associations.
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. (C) Travel trailers and travel vehicles exempted in Section
9.6-34(A) lose this exemption when development occurs on
the parcel exceeding $500.00 for a structural addition to
the travel trailer/travel vehicle or an accessory
structure such as a garage or storage building. The
travel trailer/travel vehicle and all additions and
accessory structures will then be treated as a new
structure and shall be subject to the elevation/flood
proofing requirements and the use of the land restrictions
specified in Articles IV and V of Chapter 9.6.
(D) New commercial travel trailer or travel vehicle parks or
campgrounds and new residential type subdivisions and
condominium associations and the expansion of any existing
similar use exceeding five (5 ) units or dwelling sites
shall be subject to the following:
( 1) Any new or replacement travel trailer or travel
vehicle will be allowed in the Floodway or Flood
Fringe Districts provided said trailer or vehicle
and its contents are placed on fill above the
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation and proper
elevated road access to the site exists in accord-
ance with Section 9.6-22(A). No fill placed in the
floodway to meet the requirements of this Section
shall increase flood stages of the 100-year or
. regional flood.
( 2 ) All new or replacement travel trailers or travel
vehicles not meeting the criteria of Section 9.6-
34(D)(1) above may, as an alternative, be allowed as
a Special Use if in accordance with the following
provisions and the provisions of Section 9.6-38.
The applicant must submit an emergency plan for the
safe evacuation of all vehicles and people during
the 100-year flood. Said plan shall be prepared by
a registered engineer or other qualified individual
and shall demonstrate that adequate time and
personnel exist to carry out the evacuation. All
attendant sewage and water facilities for new or
replacement travel trailers or other recreational
vehicles must be protected or constructed so as to
not be impaired or contaminated during times of
flooding in accordance with Section 9.6-30.
ARTICLE X. ADMINISTRATION
Section 9.6-35. Clerk Administrator: A Clerk Administrator or
other official designated by the City Council shall administer and
enforce this Chapter. If the Clerk Administrator finds a violation
of the provisions of this Chapter the Clerk Administrator shall
. notify the person responsible for such violation in accordance with
the procedures stated in Article XII of Chapter 9.6.
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. Section 9.6-36. Permit Requirements:
(A) Permit Required. A Permit issued by the Clerk Adminis-
trator in conformity with the provisions of Chapter 9.6
shall be secured prior to the erection, addition or
alteration of any building, structure, or portion thereof;
prior to the use or change of use of a building,
structure, or land; prior to the change or extension of a
non-conforming use; and prior to the placement of fill,
excavation of materials, or the storage of materials or
equipment within the flood plain.
(B) Application for Permit. Application for a Permit shall be
made in duplicate to the Clerk Administrator on forms
furnished by the Clerk Administrator and shall include the
following where applicable: plans in duplicate drawn to
scale, showing the nature, location, dimensions, and
elevations of the lot; existing or proposed structures,
fill, or storage of materials; and the location of the
foregoing in relation to the stream channel.
(C) State and Federal Permits. Prior to granting a Permit or
processing an application for a Special Use Permit or
Variance, the Clerk Administrator shall determine that the
applicant has obtained all necessary State and Federal
Permits.
. (D) Certificate of Zoning Compliance for a New, Altered, or
Non-Conforming Use. It shall be unlawful to use, occupy,
or permit the use or occupancy of any building or premises
or part thereof hereafter created, erected, changed,
converted, altered, or enlarged in its use or structure
until a Certificate of Zoning Compliance shall have been
issued by the Clerk Administrator stating that the use of
the building or land conforms to the requirements of
Chapter 9.6.
(E) Construction and Use to be as Provided on Applications,
Plans, Permits, Variances and Certificates of Zoning
Compliance. Permits, Special Use Permits, or Certificates
of Zoning Compliance issued on the basis of approved plans
and applications authorize only the use, arrangement, and
construction set forth in such approved plans and applica-
tions, and no other use, arrangement, or construction.
Any use, arrangement, or construction at variance with
that authorized shall be deemed a violation of Chapter
9.6, and punishable as provided by Article XII of Chapter
9.6.
(F) Certification. The applicant shall be required to submit
certification by a registered professional engineer,
. registered architect, or registered land surveyor that the
finished fill and building elevations were accomplished in
compliance with the provisions of this Chapter 9.6. Flood
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. proofing measures shall be certified by a registered
professional engineer or registered architect.
(G) Record of First Floor Elevation. The Building Inspector
shall maintain a record of the elevation of the lowest
floor (including basement) of all new structures and
alterations or additions to existing structures in the
flood plain. The Building Inspector shall also maintain
a record of the elevation to which structures or
al terations and additions to structures are flood proofed.
Section 9.6-37. Board of Adjustment:
(A) Rules. The Board of Adjustment shall adopt rules for the
conduct of business and may exercise all of the powers
conferred on such Boards by State law.
(B) Administrative Review. The Board shall hear and decide
appeals where it is alleged there is error in any order,
requirement, decision, or determination made by an
administrative official in the enforcement or
administration of Chapter 9.6.
(C) Variances. The Board may authorize upon appeal in
specific cases such relief or variance from the terms of
Chapter 9.6 as will not be contrary to the public interest
. and only for those circumstances such as hardship,
practical difficulties or circumstances unique to the
property under consideration, as provided for in the
respective enabling legislation for planning and zoning
for cities or counties as appropriate. In the granting of
such variance, the Board of Adjustment shall clearly
identify in writing the specific conditions that existed
consistent with the criteria specified in the respective
enabling legislation which justified the granting of the
variance. No Variance shall have the effect of allowing
in any district uses prohibited in that district, permit
a lower degree of flood protection than the Regulatory
Flood Protection Elevation for the particular area, or
permit standards lower than those required by State law.
(D) Hearings. Upon filing with the Board of Adjustment of an
appeal from a decision of the Clerk Administrator, or an
application for a variance, the Board shall fix a
reasonable time for a hearing and give due notice to the
parties in interest as specified by law. The Board shall
submit by mail to the Commissioner of Natural Resources a
copy of the application for proposed Variances
sufficiently in advance so that the Commissioner will
receive at least ten (10) days notice of the hearing.
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(E) Decisions. The Board shall arrive at a decision on such
. appeal or Variance within thirty (30) days. In passing
upon an appeal, the Board may, so long as such action is
in conformity with the provisions of Chapter 9.6, reverse
or affirm, wholly or in part, or modify the order,
requirement, decision or determination of the Clerk
Administrator or other public official. It shall make its
decision in writing setting forth the findings of fact and
the reasons for its decisions. In granting a Variance the
Board may prescribe appropriate conditions and safeguards
such as those specified in Section 9.6-38(F), which are
in conformity with the purposes of Chapter 9.6.
Violations of such conditions and safeguards, when made a
part of the terms under which the Variance is granted,
shall be punishable under Article XII of Chapter 9.6. A
copy of all decisions granting Variances shall be
forwarded by mail to the Commissioner of Natural Resources
within ten (10) days of such action.
(F) Appeals. Appeals from any decision of the Board may be
made, and as specified in the City's Official Controls and
also Minnesota Statutes.
(G) Flood Insurance Notice. The Clerk Administrator shall
notify the applicant for a variance that:
. ( 1 ) The issuance of a variance to construct a structure
below the base flood level will result in increased
i premium rates for flood insurance up to amounts as
high as $25.00 for $100.00 of insurance coverage;
and
(2) Such construction below the 100-year or regional
flood level increases risks to life and property.
Such notification shall be maintained with a record
of all variance actions.
(H) Record Keeping. A community shall maintain a record of
all variance actions, including justification for their
issuance, and report such variances issued in its annual
or biennial report submitted to the Administrator of the
National Flood Insurance Program.
Section 9.6-38. Special Uses. The City Council shall hear and
decide applications for Special Uses permissible under Chapter 9.6.
Applications shall be submitted to the Clerk Administrator who shall
forward the application the City Council for consideration.
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. (A) Hearings. Upon filing with the City Council an applica-
tion for a Special Use Permit, the City Council shall
submit by mail to the Commissioner of Natural Resources a
copy of the application for proposed Special Use
sufficiently in advance so that the Commissioner will
receive at least ten (10) days notice of the hearing.
(B) Decisions. The City Council shall arrive at a decision on
a Special Use within thirty (30) days. In granting a
Special Use Permit the City Council shall prescribe
appropriate conditions and safeguards, in addition to
those specified in Section 9.6-38(F), which are in con-
formity with the purposes of Chapter 9.6. Violations of
such conditions and safeguards, when made a part of the
terms under which the Special Use Permit is granted, shall
be deemed a violation punishable under Article XII of
Chapter 9. 6 . A copy of all decisions granting Special Use
Permits shall be forwarded by mail to the Commissioner of
Natural Resources within ten (10) days of such action.
(C) Procedures to be followed by the City Council in Passing
on Special Use Permit Applications Within all Flood Plain
Districts.
(l) The applicant shall furnish such of the following
information and additional information as deemed
. necessary by the City Council for determining the
suitability of the particular site for the propose
use:
(a) Plans in triplicate drawn to scale showing the
nature, location, dimensions, and elevation of
the lot, existing or proposed structures, fill,
storage of materials, flood proofing measures,
and the relationship of the above to the
location of the stream channel.
(b) Specifications for building construction and
materials, flood proofing, filling, dredging,
grading, channel improvement, storage of
materials, water supply and sanitary
facilities.
(2) The City Council shall transmit one copy of the
information described in subsection 9.6-38(C)(1)
above to a designated engineer or other expert
person or agency for technical assistance, where
necessary, in evaluating the proposed project in
relation to flood heights and velocities, the
seriousness of flood damage to the use, the adequacy
of the plans for protection, and other technical
. matters.
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. (3) Based upon the technical evaluation of the
designated engineer or expert, the City Council
shall determine the specific flood hazard at the
site and evaluate the suitability of the proposed
use in relation to the flood hazard.
(D) Factors Upon Which the Decision of the City Council Shall
be Based. In passing upon Special Use applications, the
City Council shall consider all relevant factors specified
in other sections of Chapter 9.6, and:
(1 ) The danger to life and property due to increased
flood heights or velocities caused by encroachments.
(2 ) The danger that materials may be swept onto other
lands or downstream to the injury of others or they
may block bridges, culverts or other hydraulic
structures.
(3) The proposed water supply and sanitation systems and
the ability of these systems to prevent disease,
contamination, and unsanitary conditions.
(4) The susceptibility of the proposed facility and its
contents to flood damage and the effect of such
damage on the individual owner.
. ( 5) The importance of the services provided by the
proposed facility to the community.
( 6) The requirements of the facility for a waterfront
location.
(7) The availability of alternative locations not
subject to flooding for the proposed use.
(8 ) The compatibility of the proposed use with existing
development and development anticipated in the
foreseeable future.
(9) The relationship of the proposed use to the
comprehensive plan and flood plain management
program for the area.
(10) The safety of access to the property in times of
flood for ordinary and emergency vehicles
(11) The expected heights, velocity, duration, rate of
rise, and sediment transport of the flood waters
expected at the site.
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. (12) Such other factors which are relevant to the
purposes of Chapter 9.6.
(E) Time for Acting on Application. The City Council shall
act on an application in the manner described above within
thirty (30) days from receiving a completed application,
except that where additional information is required
pursuant to Section 9.6-38(D). In which event the City
Council shall render a written decision wi thin thirty (30)
days from the receipt of such additional information.
(F) Conditions Attached to Special Use Permits. Upon
consideration of the factors listed above and the purpose
of Chapter 9.6, the City Council shall attach such
conditions to the granting of Special Use Permits as it
deems necessary to fulfill the purposes of Chapter 9.6.
Such conditions may include, but are not limited to, the
following:
(1 ) Modifications of waste treatment and water supply
facilities.
(2) Limitations on period of use, occupancy, and
operation.
(3) Imposition of operational controls, sureties, and
. deed restrictions.
(4) Requirements for construction of channel modifica-
tions, compensatory storage, dikes, levees, and
other protective measures.
( 5 ) Flood proofing measures, in accordance with the
State Building Code and Chapter 9.6. The applicant
shall submit a plan or document certified by a
registered professional engineer or architect that
the flood proofing measures are consistent with the
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation and associated
flood factors for the particular area.
ARTICLE XI. NON-CONFORMING USES
Section 9.6-39. A structure or the use of a structure or premises
which was lawful before the passage or amendment of Chapter 9.6 but
which is not in conformity with the provisions of Chapter 9.6 may be
continued subject to the following conditions:
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. (A) No such use shall be expanded, changed, enlarged, or
altered in a way which increases its nonconformity.
(B) Any alteration or addition to a nonconforming structure or
nonconforming use which would result in increasing the
flood damage potential of that structure or use shall be
protected to the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation in
accordance with any of the elevation on fill or flood
proofing techniques (Le. , FP-l through FP-4 flood
proofing classifications) allowable in the state Building
Code, except as further restricted in Section 9.6-39(C)
below.
(C) The cost of any structural alterations or additions to any
nonconforming structure over the life of the structure
shall not exceed 50 percent of the market value of the
structure unless the conditions of this Section are
satisfied. The cost of all structural alterations and
additions constructed since the adoption of the City's
initial flood plain controls must be calculated into
today's current cost which will include all costs such as
construction materials and a reasonable cost placed on all
manpower or labor. If the current cost of all previous
and proposed alterations and additions exceeds 50 percent
of the current market value of the structure, then the
structure must meet the standards of Article IV or V of
. Chapter 9.6 for new structures depending upon whether the
structure is in the Floodway or Flood Fringe,
respectively.
(D) If any nonconforming use is discontinued for twelve (12)
consecutive months, any future use of the building
premises shall comply with Chapter 9.6. The assessor
shall notify the Clerk Administrator in writing of
instances of nonconforming uses which have been
discontinued for a period of twelve (12) months.
(E) In any nonconforming use or structure is destroyed any
means, including floods, to an extent of 50 percent or
more of its market value at the time of destruction, it
shall not be reconstructed except in conformity with the
provisions of Chapter 9.6. The applicable provisions for
establishing new uses or new structures in Article IV, V,
or VI will apply depending upon whether the use or
structure is in the Floodway, Flood Fringe or General
Flood Plain District, respectively.
ARTICLE XII. PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION
Section 9.6-40. Violation of the provisions of Chapter 9.6 or
failure to comply with any of its requirements (including violations
. of conditions and safeguards established in connection with grants
of Variances or Special Uses) shall constitute a misdemeanor and
shall be punishable as defined by law.
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. Section 9.6-41. Nothing herein contained shall prevent the City of
Arden Hills from taking such other lawful action as is necessary to
prevent or remedy any violation. Such actions may include but are
not limited to:
(A) In responding to a suspected ordinance violation, the
Clerk Administrator and Local Government may utilize the
full array of enforcement actions available to it,
incl uding but not limited to, prosecution and fines,
injunctions, after-the-fact permits, orders for corrective
measures or a request to the National Flood Insurance
Program for denial of flood insurance availability to the
gui 1 ty party. The City shall act in good faith to enforce
these official controls and to correct ordinance
violations to the extent possible so as not to jeopardize
its eligibility in the National Flood Insurance Program.
(B) When an ordinance violation is either discovered by or
brought to the attention of the Clerk Administrator, the
Clerk Administrator shall immediately investigate the
violation of the official control. As soon as is
reasonably possible, this information will be submitted to
the appropriate Department of Natural Resources' and
Federal Emergency Management Agency Regional Office along
with the City's plan of action to correct the violation to
the degree possible.
. (C) The Clerk Administrator shall notify the suspected party
of the requirements of Chapter 9.6 and all other Official
Controls and the nature and extent of the suspected
violation of these controls. If the structure and/or use
is under construction or development, the Clerk
Administrator may order the construction or development
immediately halted until a proper permit or approval is
granted by the City. If the construction or development
is already completed, then the Clerk Administrator may
either:
( 1 ) Issue an order identifying the corrective actions
that must be made within a specified time period to
bring the use of structure into compliance with the
official controls, or
(2) Notify the responsible party to apply for an after-
the-fact permit/development approval within a
specified period of time not the exceed thirty (30)
days.
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. CD) If the responsible party does not appropriately respond to
the Clerk Administrator within the specified period of
time, each additional day that lapses shall constitute an
additional violation of Chapter 9.6 and shall be
prosecuted accordingly. The Clerk Administrator shall
also upon the lapse of the specified response period
notify the landowner to restore the land to the condition
which existed prior to the violation of Chapter 9.6.
ARTICLE XIII. AMENDMENTS
Section 9.6-42. The flood plain designation of the Official Zoning
Map shall not be removed from flood plain areas unless it can be
shown that the designation is in error or that the area has been
filled to or above the elevation of the regional flood and is
contiguous to lands outside the flood plain. Special exceptions to
this rule may be permitted by the Commissioner of Natural Resources
if he determines that, through other measures, lands are adequately
protected for the intended use.
Section 9.6-43. All amendments to this Ordinance, including
amendments to the Official Zoning Map, must be submitted to and
approved by the Commissioner of Natural Resources prior to adoption.
Changes in the Official Zoning Map must meet the Federal Emergency
Management Agency's CFEMA) Technical Conditions and Criteria and
must receive prior FEMA approval before adoption. The Commissioner
. of Natural Resources must be given ten (10) days written notice of
all hearings to consider an amendment to this Ordinance and said
notice shall include a draft of the ordinance amendment or technical
study under consideration.
The Arden Hills City Council ordains that Chapter 9.5 of the Arden
Hills Municipal Code is hereby repealed.
Effective Date. This ordinance shall become effective on the day
following the publication of the Ordinance Summary which was
approved at the same time as the adoption of this Ordinance.
Adoption Date. Passed by the City Council of the City of Arden
Hills the l5th day of O:;(9~
Thomas Sather, Mayor
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e ATTEST:
~ 12 .8~_
Gary . Berger, Administrator
Publication Date. . Ordinance ~~y for Ordinance No. 283 was
published on the A3d of 'f.; , 1991.
C\J\AHORD91. 005
October 18, 1991
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STATE OF MINNESOTA
. COUNTY OF RAMSEY
CITY OF ARDEN HILLS
ORDINANCE SUMMARY
FLOOD PLAIN MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS
On October 15 , 1991, the Arden Hills City Council approved
Ordinance No. 283 , which adds Chapter 9.6 to the Arden Hills
Municipal Code relating to Floodplain Management Regulations. The
City Council, by an affirmative vote of at least four council-
members, directed that a Summary of Ordinance No. 283 be published
in the City's Official Newspaper and that a printed copy of
Ordinance No. 283 be posted on the City's Bulletin Board or
otherwise be made available for inspection at the City's offices
during regular business hours.
Ordinance No. ~ effectively amends the City's current Floodplain
Management Regulations by incorporating changes prescribed by the
Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Minnesota Department of
Natural Resources. In addition to the establishment of a Floodway
District, a Flood Fringe District and a General Flood Plain
District, the Ordinance includes regulations which apply to the
. development and use of property located within the various
districts. In those instances where the provisions of the Flood
Plain Management Regulations are inconsistent with the City's
remaining Development Regulations, the most restrictive standards
will be applied to development proposals.
Effective Date. Ordinance No. 283 shall become effective on the
day fOllowing the publication of this Ordinance Summary.
Adoption Date. Passed by the City Council of the City of Arden
Hills the 15th day of 00<000' -rkM:'iL
Thomas Sathet, Mayor
ATTEST:
~7Z~
Gary . Berge' , Administrator
Publication Date. Published on the 23rd of October 1991.
,
. C\J\AHORD91.007
1
STATE OF MINNESOTA
COUNTY OF RAMSEY
CITY OF ARDEN HILLS
ORDINANCE NO. 283
AN ORDINANCE ADDING CHAPTER 9.6 TO THE ARDEN HILLS
MUNICIPAL CODE AND REPEALING CHAPTER 9.5 RELATIVE
TO THE FLOOD PLAIN MANAGEMENT.
The Arden Hills City Council ordains that Chapter 9.6 and its
subdivisions are hereby added to the Arden Hills Municipal Cade to
read as follows:
CHAPTER 9.6 - FLOOD PLAIN MANAGEMENT
ARTICLE I. STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION, FINDINGS OF FACT AND PURPOSE
Section 9.6-1. Statutory Authorization: This regulation is enacted
pursuant to the provisions of M.S. 103F and 462.357, which outlined
local government units to adopt regulations designed to minimize
flood losses.
Section 9.6-2. Findings of Fact:
(A) The fload hazard areas of the City of Arden Hills,
Minnesota, are subject to periodic inundation which
results in potential loss of life, loss of property,
health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and
governmental services, extraordinary public expenditures
or flood protection and relief, and impairment of the tax
base, all of which adversely affect the public health,
safety, and general welfare.
(B) Method Used to Analyze Flood Hazards. These regulations
are based upon a reasonable method of analyzing flood
hazards which is consistent with the standards estabZished
by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Section 9.6-3. Statement of Purpose: It is the purpose of Chapter
9.6 to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare and to
minimize those losses described in Section 9.6-2(A) by provisions
contained herein.
ARTICLE II. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 9.6-4. Lands to Which Ordinance Applies: These regulations
shall apply to all lands within the City of Arden Hills as shown on
the Official Zoning Map and/or the attachments thereto as being
located within the boundaries of the Floodway, Flood Fringe, or
General Flood Plain Districts.
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Section 9.6-5. Establishment of Official Zoning Map: The Official
Zoning Map together with all materials attached thereto is hereby
adopted by reference and declared to be a part of these regulations.
The attached material shall include the Flood Insurance Study for
the City of Arden Hills prepared by the Federal Insurance
Administration dated July 2, 1981, and the Flood Boundary and
Floodway Map and Flood Insurance Rate Map dated July 2, 1981
therein. The Official Zoning Map is on file in the Office of the
City Administrator.
Section 9.6-6. Regulatory FZood Protection Elevation: The
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation shall be an elevation no lower
than one foot above the elevation of the regional flood plus any
increases in flood elevation caused by encroachments on the flood
plain that result from designation of a floodway.
Section 9.6-7. Interpretation:
(A) In their interpretation and application, these regulations
shall be held to be minimum requirements and shall be
liberally construed in favor of the City and shall not be
deemed a limitation or repeal of any other powers granted
by State Statutes.
(B) The boundaries of the zoning districts shall be determined
by scaling distances on the Official Zoning Map. Where
interpretation is needed as to the exact location of the
boundaries of the district as shown on the Official Zoning
Map, as for example where there appears to be a conflict
between a mapped boundary and actual field conditions and
there is a formal appeal of the decision of the Zoning
Administrator, the Board of Adjustment shall make the
necessary interpretation. All decisions will be based on
elevations on the regional (100-year) flood profile and
other available technical data. Person contesting the
location of the district boundaries shall be given a
reasonable opportunity to present their case to the Board
and to submit technical evidence.
Section 9.6-8. Abrogation and Greater Restrictions: These
regulations are not intended to repeal, abrogate, or impair any
existing easements, covenants, or deed restrictions. However, where
the provisions of these regulations impose greater restrictions, the
greater restrictions shall prevail. All other City Regulations
inconsistent with Chapter 9.6 are hereby suspended to the extent of
the inconsistency only.
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Section 9.6-9. Warning and Disclaimer of Liability: The provisions
of Chapter 9.6 do not imply that areas outside the flood plain
districts or land uses permitted within such districts will be free
from flooding or flood damages. This Chapter shall not create
liability on the part of the City of Arden Hills or any officer or
employee thereof for any flood damages that result from reliance on
this Chapter or any administrative decision lawfully made
thereunder.
Section 9.6-10. Severability: If any section, clause, provision,
or portion of this Chapter is adjudged unconstitutional or invalid
by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this Chapter
shall not be affected thereby.
Section 9.6-11. Definitions: Unless specifically defined below,
words or phrases used in this Chapter shall be interpreted so as to
give them the same meaning as they have in common usage and so as to
give this Chapter its most reasanable application.
(1) Accessory Use or Structure. A use or structure on the
same lot with, and of a nature customarily incidental and
subordinate to, the principal use or structure.
(2) Basement. Any area of a structure, including crawl
spaces, having its floor or base subgrade (below ground
level) on all four sides, regardless of the depth of
excavation below ground level.
(3) Special Use. A specific type of structure or land use
listed in the official control that may be allowed but
only after an in-depth review procedure and with
appropriate conditions or restrictions as provided in the
official zoning controls or building codes and upon a
finding that: (1) certain conditions as detailed in the
zoning ordinance exist and (2) the structure an/or land
use conform to the comprehensive land use plan if one
exists and are compatible with the existing neighborhood.
(4) Equal Degree of Encroachment. A method of determining the
location of floodway boundaries so the flood plain lands
on both sides of a stream are capable of conveying a
proportionate share of flood flows.
(5) Flood. A temporary increase in the flow or stage of a
stream or in the stage of a wetland or lake that results
in the i.nundation of normally dry areas.
(6) Flood Frequency. The frequency for which it is expected
that a specific flood stage or discharge may be equalled
or exceeded.
3
(7) Flood Fringe. That portion of the flood plain outside of
the floodway. Flood fringe is synonymous with the term
"floodway fringe" used in the Flood Insurance Study for
the City of Arden Hills.
(8) Flood Plain. The beds proper and the areas adjoining a
wetland, lake or watercourse which have been or hereafter
may be covered by the regional flood.
(9) Flood-Proofin . A combination of structural provisions,
changes, or adjustments to properties and structures
subject to flooding, primarily for the reduction or
elimination of flood damages.
(10) Floodway. The bed of a wetland or lake and the channel of
a watercourse and those portions of the adjoining flood
plain which are reasonably required to carry or store the
regional flood discharge.
(11) Obstruction. Any dam, wall, wharf, embankment, levee,
dike, pile, abutment, projection, excavation, channel,
modification, culvert, building, wire, fence, stockpile,
refuse, fill, structure, or matter in, along, across, or
projecting into any channel, watercourse, or regulatory
flood plain which may impede, retard, or change the
direction of the flow of water, either in itself or by
catching or collecting debris carried by such water.
(12) Principal Use or Structure. All uses or structures that
are not accessory uses or structures.
(13) Reach. A hydraulic engineering term to describe a
longitudinal segment of a stream or river influenced by a
natural or man-made obstruction. In an urban area, the
segment of a stream or river between two consecutive
bridge crossings would most typically constitute a reach.
(14) Regional Flood. A flood which is representative of large
floods known to have occurred generally in Minnesota and
reasonably characteristic of what can be expected to occur
on an average frequency in the magnitude of the 100-year
recurrence interval. Regional flood is synonymous with
the term "base flood" used in the Flood Insurance Study.
(15) Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation. The Regulatory
Flood Protection Elevation shall be an elevation no lower
than one foot above the elevation of the regional flood
plus any increases in flood elevation caused by
encroachment on the flood plain that result from
designation of a floodway.
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(16) Structure. Anything constructed or erected on the ground
or attached to the ground or on-site utilities, including,
but not limited to, buildings, factories, sheds, detached
garages, cabins, manufactured homes, travel trailers/
vehicles not meeting the exemption criteria specified in
Section 9.6-34(A) of the Ordinance and other similar
items.
(17) Variance. A modification of a specific permitted
development standard required in an official control
including Chapter 9.6 to allow an alternative development
standard not stated as acceptable in the official control,
but only as applied to a particular property for the
purpose of alleviating a hardship, practical difficulty or
unique circumstance as defined and elaborated upon in a
community's respective planning and zoning enabling
legislation.
ARTICLE III. ESTABLISHMENT OF ZONING DISTRICTS
Section 9.6-12. Districts:
(A) Floodwa District. The Floodway District shall include
those areas designated as floodway on the Flood Boundary
and Floodway Map adopted in Section 9.6-5.
(B) Flood Fringe District. The Flood Fringe District shall
include those areas designated as floodway fringe on the
Flood Boundary and Floodway Map adopted in Section 9.6-5.
(C) General Flood Plain District. The General Flood Plain
District shall include those areas designated as
unnumbered A Zones on the Flood Insurance Rate Map adopted
in Section 9.6-5.
Section 9.6-13. Compliance: No new structure or land shall
hereafter be used and no structure shall be located, extended,
converted, or structurally altered without full compliance with the
terms of this Chapter and other applicable regulations. Within the
Floodway, Flood Fringe and General Flood Plain Districts, all uses
not listed as permitted uses or special uses in Articles IV, V, and
VI that follow, respectively, shall be prohibited. In addition, a
caution is provided here that:
(A) New manufactured homes, replacement manufactured homes and
certain travel trailers and travel vehicles are subject to
the general provisions of this Chapter and specifically
Article IX;
(B) Modifications, additions, structural alterations or repair
after damage to existing nonconforming structures and
nonconforming uses of structures or land are regulated by
the general provisions of this Chapter and specifically
Article XI; and
5
(C) As-built elevations for elevated or flood proofed
structures must be certified by ground surveys and flood
proofing techniques must be designed and certified by a
registered professional engineer or architect as specified
in the general provisions of this Chapter and specifically
as stated in Article X of Chapter 9.6.
ARTICLE IV. FLOODWAY DISTRICT
Section 9.6-14. Permitted Uses:
(A) General farming, pasture, grazing, outdoor plant
nurseries, horticulture, truck farming, forestry, sod
farming, and wild crop harvesting.
(B) Industrial-commercial loading areas, parking areas, and
airport landing strips.
(C) Private and public golf courses, tennis courts, driving
ranges, archery ranges, picnic grounds, boat launching
ramps, swimming areas, parks, wildlife and nature
preserves, game farms, fish hatcheries, shooting
preserves, target ranges, trap and skeet ranges, hunting
and fishing areas, and single or multiple purpose
recreational trails.
(D) Residential lawns, gardens, parking areas, and play areas.
Section 9.6-15. Standards for Floodway Permitted Uses:
(A) The use shall have a low flood damage potential.
(B) The use shall be permissible in the underlying zoning
district if one exists.
(C) The use shall not obstruct flood flows or increase flood
elevations and shall not involve structures, fill,
obstructions, excavations or storage of material or
equipment.
Section 9.6-16. Special Uses:
(A) Structures accessory to the uses listed in Section 9.6-14
above and the uses listed in Sections 9.6-16(B) through
9.6-16(H) below.
(B) Extraction and storage of sand, gravel, and other
materials.
(C) Marinas, boat rentals, docks, piers, wharves, and water
control structures.
(D) Railroads, streets, bridges, utility transmission lines,
and pipelines.
6
(E) Storage yards for equipment, machinery or materials.
(F) Placement of fill.
(G) Travel trailers and travel vehicles either on individual
lots of record or in existing or new subdivisions or
commercial or condominium type campgrounds, subject to the
exemptions and provisions of Section 9.6-34.
(H) Structural works for flood control such as levees, dikes
and floodwalls constructed to any height where the intent
is to protect individual structures and levees or dikes
where the intent is to protect agricultural crops for a
frequency flood event equal to or less than the 100-year
frequency flood event.
Section 9.6-17. Standards for Floodway Special Uses:
(A) All Uses. No structure (temporary or permanent), fill
(including fill for roads and levees), deposit,
obstruction, storage of materials or equipment, or other
uses may be allowed as a Special Use that will cause any
increase in the stage of the 100-year or regional flood or
cause an increase in flood damages in the reach or reaches
affected.
(B) All floodway Special Uses shall be subject to the
procedures and standards contained in Section 9.6-38.
(C) The Special Use shall be permissible in the underlying
zoning district if one exists.
(D) Fill:
(1) Fill, dredge spoil and all other similar materials
deposited or stored in the flood plain shall be
protected from erosion by vegetative cover,
mulching, riprap or other acceptable method.
(2) Dredge spoil sites and sand and gravel operations
shall not be allowed in the floodway unless a long-
term site development plan is submitted which
includes an erosion/sedimentation prevention element
to the plan.
(3) As an alternative, and consistent with Subsection
(2) immediately above, dredge spoil disposal and
sand and gravel operations may allow temporary, on-
site storage of fill or other materials which would
have caused an increase to the stage c>F the 100-year
or regional flood but only after the City has
received an appropriate plan which assures the
removal of the materials from the floodway based
upon the flood warning time available. The Special
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Use Permit must be title registered with the
property in the Office of the County Recorder.
(E) Accessory Structures:
(1) Accessory structures shall not be designed for human
habitation.
(2) Accessory structures, if permitted, shall be
constructed and placed on the building site so as to
offer the minimum obstruction to the flow of flood
waters.
(a) Whenever possible, structures shall be
constructed with the longitudinal axis parallel
to the direction of flood flow; and
(b) So far as practicable, structures shall be
placed approximately on the same flood flow
lines as those of adjoining structures.
(3) Accessory structures shall be elevated or fill or
structurally dry flood proofed in accordance with
the FP-1 or FP-2 flood proofing classifications in
the State Building Code. As an alternative, an
accessory structure may be flood proofed to the FP-3
or FP-4 flood proofing classification in the State
Building Code provided the accessory structure
constitutes a minimal investment, does not exceed
500 square feet in size, and for a detached garage,
the detached garage must be used solely for parking
of vehicles and limited storage. All flood proofed
accessory structures must meet the following
additional standards, as appropriate:
(a) The structure must be adequately anchored to
prevent flotation, collapse or lateral movement
of the structure and shall be designed to
equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior
walls; and
(b) Any mechanical and utility equipment in a
structure must be elevated to or above the
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation or
properly flood proofed.
(F) Storage of Materials and Equipment:
(1) The storage or processing of materials that are, in
time of flooding, flammable, explosive, or
potentially injurious to human, animal, or plant
life is prohibited.
8
(2) Storage of other materials or equipment may be
allowed if readily removable from the area within
the time available after a flood warning and in
accordance with a plan approved by the City Council.
(G) Structural works for flood control that will change the
course, current or cross section of protected wetlands or
public waters shall be subject to the provisions of
Minnesota Statute, Chapter 103G. Community-wide
structural works for flood control intended to remove
areas from the regulatory flood plain shall not be allowed
in the floodway.
(H) A levee, dike or floodwall constructed in the floodway
shall not cause an increase to the 100-year or regional
flood and the technical analysis must assume equal
conveyance or storage loss on both sides of a stream.
ARTICLE V. FLOOD FRINGE DISTRICT
Section 9.6-18. Permitted Uses: Permitted Uses shall be those uses
of land or structures listed as Permitted Uses in the underlying
zoning use district(s). If no pre-existing, underlying zoning use
districts exist, then any residential or non-residential structure
or use of a structure or land shall be a Permitted Use in the Flood
Fringe provided such use does not constitute a public nuisance. All
Permitted Uses shall comply with the standards for Flood Fringe
"Permitted Uses" listed in Section 9.6-19 and the "Standards for all.
Flood Fringe Uses" listed in Section 9.6-22.
Section 9.6-19. Standards for Flood Fringe Permitted Uses:
(A) All structures, including accessory structures, must be
elevated on fill so that the lowest floor including
basement floor is at or above the Regulatory Flood
Protection Elevation. The finished fill elevation for
structures shall be no lower than one (1) foot below the
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation and the fill shall
extend at such elevation at least fifteen (15) feet beyond
the outside limits of the structure erected thereon.
(B) As an alternative to elevation on fill, accessory
structures that constitute a minimal investment and that
do not exceed 500 square feet for the outside dimension at
ground level may be internally £lood proofed in accordance
with Section 9.6-17(E)(3).
(C) The cumulative placement of fill where at any one time in
excess of one-thousand (1,000) cubic yards of fill is
located on the parcel shall be allowable only as a Condi-
tional Use, unless said fill is specifically intended to
elevate a structure in accordance with Section 9.6-19(A).
9
(D) The storage of any materials or equipment shall be
elevated on fill to the Regulatory Flood Protection
Elevation.
(E) The provisions of Section 9.6-22 shall apply.
Section 9.6-20. Special Uses: Any structure that is not elevated
on fill or flood proofed in accordance with Section 9.6-19(A) and
(B) or any use of land that does not comply with the standards in
Section 9.6-19(C) and (D) shall only be allowable as a Special Use.
An application for a Special Use shall be subject to the standards
and criteria and evaluation procedures specified in Sections 9.6-21,
9.6-22, and 9.6-38.
Section 9.6-21. Standards for Flood Fringe Special Uses:
(A) Alternative elevation methods other than the use of fill
may be utilized to elevate a structure's lowest floor
above the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation. These
alternative methods may include the use of stilts,
pilings, parallel walls, etc., or above-grade, enclosed
areas such as crawl spaces or tuck under garages. The
base or floor of an enclosed area shall be considered
above-grade and not a structure's basement or lowest floor
if:
(1) The enclosed area is above-grade on at least one
side of the structure;
(2) It is designed to internally flood and is con-
structed with flood resistant materials; and
(3) It is used solely for parking of vehicles, building
access or storage.
(B) The above-noted alternative elevation methods are subject
to the following additional standards:
(1) Design and Certification. The structure's design
and as-built condition must be certified by a
registered professional engineer or architect as
being in compliance with the general design stan-
dards of the State Huilding Code and, specifically,
that all electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing
and air conditioning equipment and other service
facilities must be at or above the Regulatory Flood
Protection Elevation or be designed to prevent flood
water from entering or accumulating within these
components during times of flooding.
10
(2) Specific Standards for Above-Grade, Enclosed Areas.
Above-grade, fully enclosed areas such as crawl
spaces or tuck under garages must be designed to
internally flood and the design plans must
stipulate:
(a) The minimum area of openings in the walls where
internal flooding is to be used as a flood
proofing technique. When openings are placed
in a structure's walls to provide for entry of
flood waters to equalize pressures, the bottom
of all openings shall be no higher than one-
foot above grade. Openings may be equipped
with screens, louvers, valves, or other
coverings or devices provided that they permit
the automatic entry and exit of flood waters.
(b) That the enclosed area will be designed of
flood resistant materials in accordance with
the FP-3 or FP-4 classifications in the State
Building Code and shall be used solely for
building access, parking of vehicles or
storage.
(C) Basements, as defined by Section 9.6-11(2), shall be
subject to the following:
(1) Residential basement construction shall not be
allowed below the Regulatory Flood Protection
Elevation.
(2) Non-residential basements may be allowed below the
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation provided the
basement is structurally dry flood proofed in
accordance with Section 9.6-21(D).
(D) All areas of non-residential structures including
basements to be placed below the Regulatory Flood
Protection Elevation shall be flood proofed in accordance
with the structurally dry flood proofing classifications
in the State Building Code. Structurally dry flood
proofing must meet the FP-1 or FP-2 flood proofing
classification in the State Building Code and this shall
require making the structure watertight with the walls
substantially impermeable to the passage of water and with
structural components having the capability of resisting
hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and the effects of
buoyancy. Structures flood proofed to the FP-3 and FP-4
classification shall not be permitted.
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(E) When at any one time more than 1,000 cubic yards of fill
or other similar material is located on a parcel for such
activities as on-site storage, landscaping, sand and
gravel operations, landfills, roads, dredge spoil disposal
or construction of flood control works, an erosion/sedi-
mentation control plan must be submitted unless the
community is enforcing a state approved shoreland manage-
ment ordinance. In the absence of a state approved
shoreland ordinance, the plan must clearly specify methods
to be used to stabilize the fill on site for a flood event
at a minimum of the 100-year or regional flood event. The
plan must be prepared and certified by a registered pro-
fessional engineer or other qualified individual accept-
able to the City. The plan may incorporate alternative
procedures for removal of the material from the flood
plain if adequate flood warning time exists.
(F) Storage of Materials and Equipment:
(1) The storage or processing of materials that are, in
time of flooding, flammable, explosive, or poten-
tially injurious to human, animal, or plant life is
prohibited.
(2) Storage of other materials or equipment may be
allowed if readily removable from the area within
the time available after a flood warning and in
accordance with a plan approved by the City Council.
(G) The provisions of Section 9.6-22 shall also apply.
Section 9.6-22. Standards for All Flood Fringe Uses:
(A) All new principal structures must have vehicular access at
or above an elevation not more than two (2) feet below the
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation. If a variance to
this requirement is granted, the Board of Adjustment must
specify limitations on the period of use or occupancy of
the structure for times of flooding and only after
determining that adequate flood warning time and local
flood emergency response procedures exist.
(B) Commercial Uses. Accessory land uses, such as yards,
railroad tracks, and parking lots may be at elevations
lower than the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation.
However, a permit for such facilities to be used by the
employees or the general public shall not be granted in
the absence of a flood warning system that provides
adequate time for evacuation if the area would be
inundated to a depth greater than two (2) feet or be
subject to flood velocities greater that four (4) feet per
second upon occurrence of the regional flood.
12
(C) Manufacturing and Industrial Uses: Measures shall be
taken to minimize interference with normal plant
operations especially along streams having protracted
flood durations. Certain accessory land uses such as
yards and parking lots may be at lower elevations subject
to requirements set out in Sectian 9.6-22(B) above. In
considering permit applications, due consideration shall
be given to needs of an industry whose business requires
that it be located in flood plain areas.
(D) Fill shall be properly compacted and the slopes sha11 be
properly protected by the use of riprap, vegetative cover
or other acceptable method. The Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) has established criteria for
removing the special flood hazard area designation for
certain structures properly elevated on fill above the
100-year flood elevation - FEMA's requirements incorporate
specific fill compaction and side slope protection
standards for multi-structure or multi-lot developments.
These standards should be investigated prior to the
initiation of site preparation if a change of special
flood hazard area designation will be requested.
(E) Flood plain developments shall not adversely affect the
hydraulic capacity of the channel and adjoining flood
plain of any tributary watercourse or drainage system
where a floodway or other encroachment limit has not been
specified on the Official Zoning Map.
(F) Standards for travel trailers and travel vehicles are
contained in Section 9.6-34.
(G) All manufactured homes must be securely anchored to an
adequately anchored foundation system that resists
flotation, collapse and lateral movement. Methods of
anchoring may include, but are not to be limited to, use
of over-the-top or frame ties to ground anchors. This
requirement is in addition to applicable state of local
anchoring requirements for resisting wind forces.
ARTICLE VI. GENERAL FLOOD PLAIN DISTRICT
Section 9.6-23. Permissible Uses:
(A) The uses listed in Section 9.6-14 shall be permitted uses.
(B) A].1 other uses shall be subject to the floodway/flood
fringe evaluation criteria pursuant to Section 9.6-24
below. Article TV shall apply if the proposed use is in
the Floodway District and Article V shall apply if the
proposed use is in the Flood Fringe District.
13
Section 9.6-24. Procedures for Floodway and Flood Fringe Determina-
tions Within the General Flood Plain District.
(A) Upon receipt of an application for a Special Use Permit
for a use within the General Flood Plain District, the
applicant shall be required to furnish such of the
following information as is deemed necessary by the Clerk
Administrator for the determination of the Regulatory
Flood Protection Elevation and whether the proposed use is
within the Floodway or Flood Fringe District.
(1) A typical valley cross-section showing the channel
of the stream, elevation of land areas adjoining
each side of the channel, cross-sectional areas to
be occupied by the proposed development, and high
water information.
(2) Plan (surface view) showing elevations or contours
of the ground; pertinent structure, fill, or storage
elevations; size, location, and spatial arrangement
of all proposed and existing structures on the site;
location and proposed and existing structures on the
site; location and elevations of streets; photo-
graphs showing existing land uses and vegetation
upstream and downstream; and soil type.
(3) Profile showing the slope of the bottom of the
channel or flow line of the stream for at least 500
feet in either direction from the proposed develop-
ment.
(B) The applicant shall be responsible to submit one copy of
the above information to a designated engineer or other
expert person or agency for technical assistance in
determining whether the proposed use is in the Floodway or
Flood Fringe District and to determine the Regulatory
Flood Protection Elevation. Procedures consistent with
Minnesota Regulations 1983, Parts 6120.5000 - 6120.6200
shall be followed in this expert evaluation. The
designated engineer or expert is strongly encouraged to
discuss the proposed technical evaluation methodology with
the respective Department of Natural Resources' Area
Hydrologist prior to commencing the analysis. The
designated engineer or expert shall:
(1) Estimate the peak discharge of the regional flood.
(2) Calculate the water surface profile of the regional
flood based upon a hydraulic analysis of the stream
channel and overbank areas.
14
(3) Compute the floodway necessary to convey or store
the regional flood without increasing flood stages
more than 0.5 foot. A lesser stage increase than
0.5 foot shall be required if, as a result of the
additional state increase, increased flood damages
would result. An equal degree of encroachment on
both sides of the stream within the reach shall be
assumed in computing floodway boundaries.
(C) The Clerk Administrator shall present the technical
evaluation and findings of the designated engineer or
expert to the Governing Body. The Governing Body must
formally accept the technical evaluation and the
recommended Floodway and/or Flood Fringe District boundary
or deny the permit application. The Governing Body, prior
to official action, may submit the application and all
supporting data and analyses to the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, the Department of Natural Resources or
the Planning Commission for review and comment. Once the
Floodway and Flood Fringe Boundaries have been determined,
the Governing Body shall refer the matter back to the
Clerk Administrator who shall process the permit
application consistent with the applicable provisions of
Article IV and V of Chapter 9.6.
ARTICLE VII. SUBDIVISIONS
Section 9.6-25. Review Criteria: No land shall be subdivided which
is unsuitable for the reason of flooding, inadequate drainage, water
supply or sewage treatment facilities. Al1 lots within the flood
plain districts shall contain a building site at or above the
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation. All subdivisions shall have
water and sewage treatment facilities that comply with the
provisions of Chapter 9.6 and have road access both to the
subdivision and to the individual building sites no lower than two
(2) feet below the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation. For all
subdivisions in the flood plain, the Floodway and Flood Fringe
boundaries, the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation and the
required elevation of all access roads shall be clearly labelled on
all required subdivisions drawings and platting documents.
Section 9.6-26. Floodway/Flood Fringe Determinations in the General
Flood Plain District: In the General Flood Plain District appli-
cants shall provide the information required in Section 9.6-24 of
Chapter 9.6 to determine the 100-year flood elevation, the Floodway
and Flood Fringe District boundaries and the Regulatory Flood
Protection Elevation for the subdivision site.
15
Section 9.6-27. Removal of Special Flood Hazard Area Designation:
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has established
criteria for removing the special flood hazard area designation for
certain structures properly elevated on fill above the 100-year
flood elevation. FEMA's requirements incorporate specific fill
compaction and side slope protection standards for multi-structure
or multi-lot developments. These standards should be investigated
prior to the initiation of site preparation if a change of special
flood hazard area designation will be requested.
ARTICLE VIII. PUBLIC UTILITIES, RAILROADS, ROADS, AND BRIDGES
Section 9.6-28. Public Utilities. All public utilities and
facilities such as gas, electrical, sewer, and water supply systems
to be located in the flood plain shall be flood proofed in
accordance with the State Building Code or elevated to above the
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation.
Section 9.6-29. Public Transportation Facilities. Railroad tracks,
roads, and bridges to be located within the flood plain shall comply
with Article IV and V of Chapter 9.6. Elevation to the Regulatory
Flood Protection Elevation shall be provided where failure or
interruption of the transportation facilities would result in danger
to the public health or safety or where such facilities are
essential to the orderly functioning of the area. Minor or
auxiliary roads or railroads may be constructed at a lower elevation
where failure or interruption of transportation services would not
endanger the public health or safety.
Section 9.6-30. On-Site Sewage Treatment and Water Supply Systems.
Where public utilities are not provided:
(A) On-site water supply systems must be designed to minimize
or eliminate infiltration of flood waters in the systems;
and
(B) New or replacement on-site sewage treatment systems must
be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood
waters into the systems and discharges from the systems
into flood waters and they sha11 not be subject to
impairment of contamination during times of flooding.
Any sewage treatment system designed in accordance with the State's
current statewide standards for on-site sewage treatment systems
shall be determined to be in compliance with this Section.
ARTICLE IX. MANUFACTURED HOMES AND MANUFACTURED HOME PARKS AND
PLACEMENT OF TRAVEL TRAILERS AND TRAVEL VEHICLES.
Section 9.6-31. New manufactured home parks and expansions to
existing manufactured home parks shall be subject to the provisions
placed on subdivisions by Article VII of Chapter 9.6.
16
Section 9.6-32. The placement of new or replacement manufactured
homes in existing manufactured home parks or on individual lots of
record that are located in flood plain districts will be treated as
a new structure and may be placed only if elevated in compliance
with Article V of Chapter 9.6. If vehicular road access for pre-
existing manufactured home parks is not provided in accordance with
Section 9.6-22(A), then replacement manufactured homes will not be
allowed until the property owner(s) develops a flood warning
emergency plan acceptable to the City Council.
Section 9.6-33. All manufactured homes must be securelg anchored to
an adequately anchored foundation system that resists flotation,
collapse and lateral movement. Methods of anchoring may include,
but are not to be limited to, use of over-the-top or frame ties to
ground anchors. This requirement is in addition to applicable state
or local anchoring requirements for resisting wind forces.
Section 9.6-34. Travel trailers and travel vehicles that do not
meet the exemption criteria specified in Section 9-6.34(A) below
shall be subject to the provisions of Chapter 9.6 and as
specifically spelled out in Sections 9.6-34(C) and (D) below.
(A) Exemption. Travel trailers and travel vehicles are exempt
from the provisions of Chapter 9.6 if they are placed in
any of the areas listed in Section 9.6-34(B) below and
further they meet the following criteria:
(1) Have current licenses required for highway use.
(2) Are highway ready meaning on wheels or the internal
jacking system, are attached to the site only by
quick disconnect type utilities commonly used in
campgrounds and trailer parks and the travel
trailer/travel vehicle has no permanent structural
type additions attached to it.
(3) The travel trailer or travel vehicle and associated
use must be permissible in any pre-existing, under-
lying zoning use district.
(B) Areas Exempted For Placement of Travel/Recreational
Vehicles:
(1) Individual lots or parcels of record.
(2) Existing commercial recreational vehicle parks or
campgrounds.
(3) Existing condominium type associations.
17
(C) Travel trailers and travel vehicles exempted in Section
9.6-34(A) lose this exemption when development occurs on
the parcel exceeding $500.00 for a structural addition to
the travel trailer/travel vehicle or an accessory
structure such as a garage or storage building. The
travel trailer/travel vehicle and all additions and
accessory structures will then be treated as a new
structure and shall be subject to the elevation/flood
proofing requirements and the use of the land restrictions
specified in Articles IV and V of Chapter 9.6.
(D) New commercial travel trailer or travel vehicle parks or
campgrounds and new residential type subdivisions and
condominium associations and the expansion of any existing
similar use exceeding five (5) units or dweiling sites
shall be subject to the following:
(1) Any new or replacement travel trailer or travel
vehicle will be allowed in the Floodway or Flood
Fringe Districts provided said trailer or vehicle
and its contents are placed on fill above the
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation and proper
elevated road access to the site exists in accord-
ance with Section 9.6-22(A). No fill placed in the
floodway to meet the requirements of this Section
shall increase flood stages of the 100-year or
regional flood.
(2) All new or replacement travel trailers or travel
vehicles not meeting the criteria of Section 9.6-
34(D)(1) above may, as an alternative, be allowed as
a Special Use if in accordance with the following
provisions and the provisions of Section 9.6-38.
The applicant must submit an emergency plan for the
safe evacuation of all vehicles and people during
the 100-year flood. Said plan shall be prepared by
a registered engineer or other qualified individual
and shall demonstrate that adequate time and
personnel exist to carry out the evacuation. All
attendant sewage and water facilities for new or
replacement travel trailers or other recreational
vehicles must be protected or constructed so as to
not be impaired or contaminated during times of
flooding in accordance with Section 9.6-30.
ARTICLE X. ADMINISTRATION
Section 9.6-35. Clerk Administrator: A Clerk Administrator or
other official designated by the City Council shall administer and
enforce this Chapter. If the Clerk Administrator finds a violation
of the provisions of this Chapter the Clerk Administrator shall
notify the person respansible for such violation in accordance with
the procedures stated in Article XII of Chapter 9.6.
18
Section 9.6-36. Permit Requirements:
(A) Permit Required. A Permit issued by the Clerk Adminis-
trator in conformity with the provisions of Chapter 9.6
shall be secured prior to the erection, addition or
alteration of any building, structure, or portion thereof;
prior to the use or change of use of a building,
structure, or land; prior to the change or extension of a
non-conforming use; and prior to the placement of fill,
excavation of materials, or the storage of materials or
equipment within the flood plain.
(B) Application for Permit. Application for a Permit shall be
made in duplicate to the Clerk Administrator on forms
furnished by the Clerk Administrator and shall include the
following where applicable: plans in duplicate drawn to
scale, showing the nature, location, dimensions, and
elevations of the lot; existing or proposed structures,
fill, or storage of materials; and the location of the
foregoing in relation to the stream channel.
(C) State and Federal Permits. Prior to granting a Permit or
processing an application for a Special Use Permit or
Variance, the Clerk Administrator shall determine that the
applicant has obtained all necessary State and Federal
Permits.
(D) Certificate of Zoning Compliance for a New, Altered, or
Non-Conforming Use. It shall be unlawful to use, occupy,
or permit the use or occupancy of any building or premises
or part thereof hereafter created, erected, changed,
converted, altered, or enlarged in its use or structure
until a Certificate of Zoning Compliance shall have been
issued by the Clerk Administrator stating that the use of
the building or land conforms to the requirements of
Chapter 9.6.
(E) Construction and Use to be as Provided on Applications,
Plans, Permits, Variances and Certificates of Zoning
Compliance. Permits, Special Use Permits, or Certificates
of Zoning Compliance issued on the basis of approved plans
and applications authorize only the use, arrangement, and
construction set forth in such approved plans and applica-
tions, and no other use, arrangement, or construction.
Any use, arrangement, or construction at variance with
that authorized shall be deemed a violation of Chapter
9.6, and punishable as provided by Article XII of Chapter
9.6.
(F) Certification. The applicant shall be required to submit
certification by a registered professional engineer,
registered architect, or registered land surveyor that the
finished fill and building elevations were accomplished in
compliance with the provisions of this Chapter 9.6. Flood
19
proofing measures shall be certified by a registered
professional engineer or registered architect.
(G) Record of First Floor Elevation. The Building Inspector
shall maintain a record of the elevation of the lowest
floor (including basement) of all new structures and
alterations or additions to existing structures in the
flood plain. The Building Inspector shall also maintain
a record of the elevation to which structures or
alterations and additions to structures are flood proofed.
Section 9.6-37. Board of Adjustment:
(A) Rules. The Board of Adjustment shall adopt rules for the
conduct of business and may exercise all of the powers
conferred on such Boards by State law.
(B) Administrative Review. The Board shall hear and decide
appeals where it is alleged there is error in any order,
requirement, decision, or determination made by an
administrative official in the enforcement or
administration of Chapter 9.6.
(C) Variances. The Board may authorize upon appeal in
specific cases such relief or variance from the terms of
Chapter 9.6 as will not be contrary to the public interest
and only for those circumstances such as hardship,
practical difficulties or circumstances unique to the
property under consideration, as provided for in the
respective enabling legislation for planning and zoning
for cities or counties as appropriate. In the granting of
such variance, the Board of Adjustment shall clearly
identify in writing the specific conditions that existed
consistent with the criteria specified in the respective
enabling legislation which justified the granting of the
variance. No Variance shall have the effect of allowing
in any district uses prohibited in that district, permit
a lower degree of flood protection than the Regulatory
Flood Protection Elevation for the particular area, or
permit standards lower than those required by State law.
(D) Hearings. Upon filing with the Board of Adjustment of an
appeal from a decision of the Clerk Administrator, or an
application for a variance, the Board shall fix a
reasonable time far a hearing and give due notice to the
parties in interest as specified by law. The Board shall
submit by mail to the Commissioner of Natural Resources a
copy of the application for proposed Variances
sufficiently in advance so that the Cammissioner will
receive at least ten (10) days notice of the hearing.
20
(E) Decisions. The Board shall arrive at a decision on such
appeal or Variance within thirty (30) days. In passing
upon an appeal, the Board may, so long as such action is
in conformity with the provisions of Chapter 9.6, reverse
or affirm, wholly or in part, or modify the order,
requirement, decision or determination of the Clerk
Administrator or other public official. It shall make its
decision in writing setting forth the findings of fact and
the reasons for its decisions. In granting a Variance the
Board may prescribe appropriate conditions and safeguards
such as those specified in Section 9.6-38(F), which are
in conformity with the purposes of Chapter 9.6.
Violations of such conditions and safeguards, when made a
part of the terms under which the Variance is granted,
shall be punishable under Article XII of Chapter 9.6. A
copy of all decisions granting Variances shall be
forwarded by mail to the Commissioner of Natural Resources
within ten (10) days of such action.
(F) Appeals. Appeals from any decision of the Board may be
made, and as specified in the City's Official Controls and
also Minnesota Statutes.
(G) Flood Insurance Notice. The Clerk Administrator shall
notify the applicant for a variance that:
(1) The issuance of a variance to construct a structure
below the base flood level will result in increased
premium rates for flood insurance up to amounts as
high as $25.00 for $100.00 of insurance coverage;
and
(2) Such construction below the 100-year or regional
flood level increases risks to life and property.
Such notification shall be maintained with a record
of all variance actions.
(H) Record Keeping. A community shall maintain a record of
all variance actions, including justification for their
issuance, and report such variances issued in its annual
or biennial report submitted to the Administrator of the
National Flood Insurance Program.
Section 9.6-38. Special Uses. The City Council shall hear and
decide applications for Special Uses permissible under Chapter 9.6.
Applications shall be submitted to the Clerk Administrator who shall
forward the application the City Council far consideration.
21
(A) Hearings. Upon filing with the City Council an applica-
tion for a Special Use Permit, the City Council shall
submit by mail to the Commissioner of Natural Resources a
copy of the application for proposed Special Use
sufficiently in advance so that the Commissioner will
receive at least ten (10) days notice of the hearing.
(B) Decisions. The City Council shall arrive at a decision on
a Special Use within thirty (30) days. In granting a
Special Use Permit the City Council shall prescribe
appropriate conditions and safeguards, in addition to
those specified in Section 9.6-38(F), which are in con-
formity with the purposes of Chapter 9.6. Violations of
such conditions and safeguards, when made a part of the
terms under which the Special Use Permit is granted, shall
be deemed a violation punishable under Article XII of
Chapter 9.6. A copy of all decisions granting Special Use
Permits shall be forwarded by mail to the Commissioner of
Natural Resources within ten (10) days of such action.
(C) Procedures to be followed by the City Council in Passing
on Special Use Permit Applications Within all Flood Plain
Districts.
(1) The applicant shall furnish such of the following
information and additional information as deemed
necessary by the City Council for determining the
suitability of the particular site for the propose
use:
(a) Plans in triplicate drawn to scale showing the
nature, location, dimensions, and elevation of
the lot, existing or proposed structures, fill,
storage of materials, flood proofing measures,
and the relationship of the above to the
location of the stream channel.
(b) Specifications for building construction and
materials, flood proofing, filling, dredging,
grading, channel improvement, storage of
materials, water suppZy and sanitary
facilities.
(2) The City Council shall transmit one copy of the
information described in subsection 9.6-38(C)(1)
above to a designated engineer or other expert
person or agency for technical assistance, where
necessary, in evaluating the proposed project in
relation to flood heights and velocities, the
seriousness of flood damage to the use, the adequacy
of the plans for protection, and other technical
matters.
22
(3) Based upon the technical evaluation of the
designated engineer or expert, the City Council
shall determine the specific flood hazard at the
site and evaluate the suitability of the proposed
use in relation to the flood hazard.
(D) Factors Upon Which the Decision of the City Council Shall
be Based. In passing upon Special Use applications, the
City Council shall consider all relevant factors specified
in other sections of Chapter 9.6, and:
(1) The danger to life and property due to increased
flood heights or velocities caused by encroachments.
(2) The danger that materials may be swept onto other
lands or downstream to the injury of others or they
may block bridges, culverts or other hydraulic
structures.
(3) The proposed water supply and sanitation systems and
the ability of these systems to prevent disease,
contamination, and unsanitary conditions.
(4) The susceptibility of the proposed facility and its
contents to flood damage and the effect of such
damage on the individual owner.
(5) The importance of the services provided bg the
proposed facility to the community.
(6) The requirements of the facility for a waterfront
location.
(7) The availability of alternative locations not
subject to flooding for the proposed use.
(8) The compatibility of the proposed use with existing
development and development anticipated in the
foreseeable future.
(9) The relationship of the proposed use to the
comprehensive plan and flood plain management
program for the area.
(10) The safety of access to the property in times of
flood for ordinary and emergency vehicles
(11) The expected heights, velocity, duration, rate of
rise, and sediment transport of the flood waters
expected at the site.
23
(12) Such other factors which are relevant to the
purposes of Chapter 9.6.
(E) Time for Acting on Application. The City Council shall
act on an application in the manner described above within
thirty (30) days from receiving a completed application,
except that where additional information is required
pursuant to Section 9.6-38(D). In which event the City
Council shall render a written decision within thirty (30)
days from the receipt of such additional information.
(F) Conditions Attached to Special Use Permits. Upon
consideration of the factors listed above and the purpose
of Chapter 9.6, the City Council shall attach such
conditions to the granting of Special Use Permits as it
deems necessary to fulfill the purposes of Chapter 9,6.
Such conditions may include, but are not limited to, the
following:
(1) Modifications of waste treatment and water supply
facilities.
(2) Limitations on period of use, occupancy, and
operation.
(3) Imposition of operational controls, sureties, and
deed restrictions.
(4) Requirements for construction of channel modifica-
tions, compensatory storage, dikes, levees, and
other protective measures.
(5) Flood proofing measures, in accordance with the
State Building Code and Chapter 9.6. The applicant
shall submit a plan or document certified by a
registered professional engineer or architect that
the flood proofing measures are consistent with the
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation and associated
flood factors for the particular area.
ARTICLE XI. NON-CONFORMING USES
Section 9.6-39. A structure or the use of a structure or premises
which was lawful before the passage or amendment of Chapter 9.6 but
which is not in conformity with the provisions of Chapter 9.6 may be
continued subject to the following conditions:
24
(A) No such use shall be expanded, changed, enlarged, or
altered in a way which increases its nonconformity.
(B) Any alteration or addition to a nonconforming structure or
nonconforming use which would result in increasing the
flood damage potential of that structure or use shall be
protected to the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation in
accordance with any of the elevation on fill or flood
proofing techniques (i.e., FP-1 through FP-4 flood
proofing classifications) allowable in the State Building
Code, except as further restricted in Section 9.6-39(C)
below.
(C) The cost of any structural alterations or additions to any
nonconforming structure over the life of the structure
shall not exceed 50 percent of the market value of the
structure unless the conditions of this Section are
satisfied. The cost of all structural alterations and
additions constructed since the adoption of the City's
initial flood plain controls must be calculated into
today's current cost which will include all costs such as
construction materials and a reasonable cost placed on all
manpower or labor. If the current cost of all previous
and proposed alterations and additions exceeds 50 percent
of the current market value of the structure, then the
structure must meet the standards of Article IV or V of
Chapter 9.6 for new structures depending upon whether the
structure is in the Floodway or Flood Fringe,
respectively.
(D) If any nonconforming use is discontinued for twelve (12)
consecutive months, any future use of the building
premises shall comply with Chapter 9.6. The assessor
shall notify the Clerk Administrator in writing of
instances of nonconforming uses which have been
discontinued for a period of twelve (12) months.
(E) In any nonconforming use or structure is destroyed any
means, including floods, to an extent of 50 percent or
more of its market value at the time of destruction, it
shall not be reconstructed except in conformity with the
provisions of Chapter 9.6. The applicable provisions for
establishing new uses or new structures in Article IV, V,
or VI will apply depending upon whether the use or
structure is in the Floodway, Flood Fringe or General
Flood Plain District, respectively.
ARTICLE XII. PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION
Section 9.6-40. Violation of the provisions of Chapter 9.6 or
failure to comply with any of its requirements (including violations
of conditions and safeguards established in connection with grants
of Variances or Special Uses) shall constitute a misdemeanor and
shall be punishable as defined by law.
25
Section 9.6-41. Nothing herein contained shall prevent the City of
Arden Hills from taking such other lawful action as is necessary to
prevent or remedy any violation. Such actions may include but are
not limited to:
(A) In responding to a suspected ordinance violation, the
Clerk Administrator and Local Government may utilize the
full array of enforcement actions available to it,
including but not limited to, prasecution and fines,
injunctions, after-the-fact permits, orders for corrective
measures or a request to the National Fload Insurance
Program for denial of flood insurance availability to the
guilty party. The City shall act in good faith to enforce
these official controls and to correct ordinance
violations to the extent possible so as not to jeopardize
its eligibility in the National Flood Insurance Program.
(B) When an ordinance violation is either discovered by or
brought to the attention of the Clerk Administrator, the
Clerk Administrator shall immediately investigate the
violation of the official control. As soon as is
reasonably possible, this information will be submitted to
the appropriate Department of Natural Resources' and
Federal Emergency Management Agency Regional Office along
with the City' s plan of action to correct the violation to
the degree possible.
(C) The Clerk Administrator shall notify the suspected party
of the requirements of Chapter 9.6 and all other Official
Controls and the nature and extent of the suspected
violation of these controls. If the structure and/ar use
is under construction or development, the Clerk
Administrator may order the construction or development
immediately halted until a proper permit or approval is
granted by the City. If the construction or development
is already completed, then the Clerk Administrator may
either:
(1) Issue an order identifying the corrective actions
that must be made within a specified time period to
bring the use of structure into compliance with the
official controls, or
(2) Notify the responsible party to apply for an after-
the-fact permit/development approval within a
specified period of time not the exceed thirty {30}
days.
26
(D) If the responsible party does not appropriately respond to
the Clerk Administrator within the specified period of
time, each additional day that lapses shall constitute an
additional violation of Chapter 9.6 and shall be
prosecuted accordingly. The Clerk Administrator shall
also upon the lapse of the specified response period
notify the landowner to restore the land to the condition
which existed prior to the violation of Chapter 9.6.
ARTICLE XIII. AMENDMENTS
Section 9.6-42. The flood plain designation of the Official Zoning
Map shall not be removed from flood plain areas unless it can be
shown that the designation is in error or that the area has been
filled to or above the elevation of the regional flood and is
contiguous to lands outside the flood plain. Special exceptions to
this rule may be permitted by the Commissioner of Natural Resources
if he determines that, through other measures, lands are adequately
protected for the intended use.
Section 9.6-43. All amendments to this Ordinance, including
amendments to the Official Zoning Map, must be submitted to and
approved by the Commissioner of Natural Resources prior to adoption.
Changes in the Official Zoning Map must meet the Federal Emergency
Management Agency's (FEMA) Technical Conditions and Criteria and
must receive prior FEMA approval before adoption. The Commissioner
of Natural Resources must be given ten (10) days written notice of
all hearings to consider an amendment to this Ordinance and said
notice shall include a draft of the ordinance amendment or technical
study under consideration.
The Arden Hills City Council ordains that Chapter 9.5 of the Arden
Hills Municipal Code is hereby repealed.
Effective Date. This ordinance shall become effective on the day
following the publication of the Ordinance Summary which was
approved at the same time as the adoption of this Ordinance.
Adoption Date. Passed by the City Council of the City of Arden
Hills the 15th day of October , 1991.
Thomas Sather, Mayor
27
ATTEST:
~
, L.
G ry . Berger, Administrator
Publication Date. Ordinance S.,m ary for Ordinance No. 283 was
published on the of 1991.
C\J\AHORD91.005
October 18, 1991
28
ouwC,L MINUIES ORD. #283; Coluzcil was referred to the memorandtun from Deputy Clerk
,ATED FIi00D PLAJN Iago dated 9-27-91, relative to the draft Ordinance which
MANAGII~'I' updates the existing Flood Plain Manage.ment Ordinance and
to reflect changes enacted by the Federal goverrunent.
Deputy Clerk Iago advised the City Attorney detexmined it was more appropriate to
repeal the existing Ordinance and adopt the "model" ordinance submitted by the
Fedexal goverrnne,nt, which was slightly revised to reflect the language of the
Arden Hills Code of Ordinances.
Councilmember Malone itxlicated the draft ordinance appears to be reasonable,
contains all the elements in the existing ordinance and provides more control and
protection in cert.ain areas of the flood plain regulations.
Hicks moved, seconded by Malone, to adopt Ordinance No.
283, ADDING CHAP`IER 9.6 TO 'PHE ARDII1 HI7,LS MUNICIPAL CODE AND REPEALING CEAPri'ER
9.5 PJMAZ'1VE 'PO THE FLOOD PLAa1 MANAGIIKIIVT, and to direct the Clerk Achninistrator
to publish the Ordinance SLmmm-y as prepared by the City Attorney. Motion carried
unanimously. (5-0)
+ ' S STATE OF
Irm HLS 50U[~=J
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
500 LAFAYETTE ROAD • ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA • 55155-40
DNR INFORMATION
(612) 296-6157
April 9, 1991
Catherine Iago, Zoning Administrator
City of Arden Hills
1450 West Highway 96
Arden Hills, MN 55112
Dear Ms. Iago:
Enclosed is a new model floodplain ordinance which most closely meets
your community's needs. As you are probably already aware, the
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Minnesota DNR have
negotiated this model ordinance to reflect the changes in federal
regulations which were actually effective in 1986. Because of these
changes every community in the NationaZ Flood Insurance Program is
being required to amend their floodplain zoning ordinances.
Please note that the new model is also available (at no charge) on
floppy disk for a personal computer. Available formats are Microsoft
Word and ASCII.
If you prefer to amend the existing ordinance we would have to review
it more closely to be sure there are no omissions. Although state
regulations allow 6 months to amend your ordinance, federal
regulations only allow 90 days from the receipt of this letter for
amendments to non-compliant ordinances. It is suggested that you
attempt to meet the federal deadline in order to avoid any possible
sanctions imposed by FEMA. Because state law also requires that a
proposed local ordinance be reviewed and approved 30 days prior to
adoption, please send any drafts being considered for adoption to Area
Hydrologist Molly Shodeen in 60 days.
Please feel free to contact your Ms. Shodeen or myself (612-296-9224)
if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
?jA_kkj
Judy Boudreau
FEMA-CAP Hydrologist
cc: Mayor Thomas Sather
Molly Shodeen, Area Hydrologist (612-772-7910)
John Linc Stine, Regional Hydrologist
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Sample Three District Floodplain Management Ordinanace
Two-Map Format
October 17, 1990
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
SECTION 1.0 STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION, FINDINGS OF
FACT AND PURPOSE 1
1.1 Statutory Authorization 1
1.2 Findings of Fact 1
1.3 Statement of Purpose 1
SECTION 2.0 GENERAL PROVISIONS 1
2.1 Lands to Which Ordinance Applies 1
2.2 Establishment of Official Zoning Map 1
.2.3 Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation 2
2.4 Interpretation 2
2.5 Abrogation and Greater Restrictions 2
2.6 Warning and Disclaimer of Liability 2
2.7 Severability 3
2.8 Definitions 3
SECTION 3.0 ESTABLISHMENT OF ZONING DISTRICTS 4
3.1 Districts 4
3.2 Compliance 5
SECTION 4.0 FLOODWAY DISTRICT (FW) 5
4.1 Permitted Uses 5
4.2 Standards for Floodway Permitted Uses 5
4.3 Conditional Uses 6
4.4 Standards for Floodway Conditional Uses 6
SECTION 5.0 FLOOD FRINGE DISTRICT (FF) 9
5.1 Permitted Uses 9
5.2 Standards for Flood Fringe Permitted
Uses 10
5.3 Conditional Uses 10
5.4 Standards for Flood Fringe Conditional
Uses 10
5.5 Standards for All Flood Fringe Uses 12
SECTION 6.0 GENERAL FLOOD PLAIN DISTRICT 13
6.1 Permissible Uses 13
6.2 Procedures for Floodway and Flood
Fringe Determinations 13
i
.
• SECTION 7.0 SUBDIVISIONS 15
7.1 Land Suitability Review Criteria 15
7.2 Requirements for Floodway/Flood Fringe
Determinations 15
7.3 Removal of Special Flood Hazard Area
Designation 15
SECTION 8.0 UTILITIES, RAILROADS, ROADS, AND
BRIDGES 16
8.1 Public Utilities 16
8.2 Public Transportation Facilities 16
8.3 On-site Sewage Treatment and Water
Supply Systems 16
SECTION 9.0 MANUFACTURED HOMES/TRAVEL TRAILERS AND
TRAVEL VEHICLES 16
New Manufactured Home Parks 16
9.2 Replacement Manufactured Homes-
Existing Parks 16
9.3 Travel Trailers/Travel Vehicles 17
SECTION 10.0 ADMINISTRATION 18
10.1 Zoning Administrator 18
10.2 Permits, Certification Requirements
and Record Keeping 18
10.3 Appeals and Variances/Duties of the
Board of Adjustment 19
10.4 Conditional Uses-Standards and
Evaluation Procedures 21
SECTION 11.0 NONCONFORMING USES 24
SECTION 12.0 PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION 25
SECTION 13.0 AMENDMENTS 27
ii
SAMPLE THREE DISTRICT FLOOD PLAIN MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE
TWO-MAP FORMAT*
SECTION 1.0 STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION, FINDINGS OF FACT AND
PURPOSE •
1.1 Statutory Authorization: The legislature of the State
of Minnesota has, in Minnesota Statutes Chapter 103F and
(Zoning Enabling Statute)
delegated the responsibility to local government units to
adopt regulations designed to minimize flood losses.
Therefore, the of
(governing body)
, Minnesota does ordain as follows:
(local unit)
1.2 Findings of Fact:
1.21 The flood hazard areas of ,
(local unit)
Minnesota, are subject to periodic inundation which results
in potential loss of life, loss of property, health and
safety hazards, disruption of commerce and governmental
services, extraordinary public expenditures or flood
protection and relief, and impairment of the tax base, all
of which adversely affect the public health, safety, and
general welfare. 1.22 Methods Used to Analyze Flood Hazards. This
Ordinance is based upon a reasonable method of analyzing
flood hazards which is consistent with the standards
established by the Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources.
1.3 Statement of Purpose: It is the purpose of this
Ordinance to promote the public health, safety, and general
welfare and to minimize those losses described in Section
1.21 by provisions contained herein.
SECTION 2.0 GENERAL PROVISIONS
2.1 Lands to Which Ordinance Applies: This ordinance shall
apply to all lands within the jurisdiction of
shown on the Official Zoning
(local unit)
*A Flood Boundary and Floodway Map and a Flood Insurance
Rate Map have been published for the community.
1
1 ~
Map and/or the attachments thereto as being located within
the boundaries of the Floodway, Flood Fringe, or General
Flood Plain Districts.
2.2 Establishment of Official Zoning Map: The Official
Zoning Map together with all materials attached thereto is
hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of
this ordinance. The attached material shall include the
Flood Insurance Study for the prepared by the
(local unit)
Federal Insurance Administration dated , and
the Flood Boundary and Floodway Map and Flood Insurance Rate
Map dated therein. The Official Zoning Map
shall be on file in the Office of the
and the
(City Clerk/County Auditor)
(Zoning Administrator)
2.3 Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation: The Regulatory
Flood Protection Elevation shall be an elevation no lower
than one foot above the elevation of the regional flood plus
any increases in flood elevation caused by encroachments on
the flood plain that result from designation of a floodway.
2.4 Interpretation:
2.41 In their interpretation and application, the
provisions of this Ordinance shall be held to be minimum
requirements and shall be liberally construed in favor of
the Governing Body and shall not be deemed a limitation or
repeal of any other powers granted by State Statutes.
2.42 The boundaries of the zoning districts shall be
determined by scaling distances on the Official Zoning Map.
Where interpretation is needed as to the exact location of
the boundaries of the district as shown on the Official
Zoning Map, as for example where there appears to be a
conflict between a mapped boundary and actual field
, conditions and there is a formal appeal of the decision of
the Zoning Administrator, the Board of Adjustment shall make
the necessary interpretation. All decisions will be based
on elevations on the regional (100-year) flood profile and
other available technical data. Persons contesting the
location of the district boundaries shall be given a
reasonable opportunity to present their case to the Board
and to submit technical evidence.
2.5 Abrogation and Greater Restrictions: It is not intended
by this Ordinance to repeal, abrogate, or impair any
existing easements, covenants, or deed restrictions.
However, where this Ordinance imposes greater restrictions,
the provisions of this Ordinance shall prevail. All other
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ordinances inconsistent with this Ordinance are hereby
repealed to the extent of the inconsistency only.
2.6 Warning and Disclaimer of Liability: This Ordinance
does not imply that areas outside the flood plain districts
or land uses permitted within such districts will be free
from flooding or flood damages. This Ordinance shall not
create liability on the part of or
(name of local unit)
any officer or employee thereof for any flood damages that
result from reliance on this Ordinance or any administrative
decision lawfully made thereunder.
2.7 Severability: If any section, clause, provision, or
portion of this Ordinance is adjudged unconstitutional or
invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder
of this Ordinance shall not be affected thereby.
2.8 Definitions: Unless specifically defined below, words
or phrases used in this Ordinance shall be interpreted sa as
to give them the same meaning as they have in common usage
and so as to give this Ordinance its most reasonable
application.
2.811 Accessory Use or Structure - a use or structure on the
same lot with, and of a nature customarily incidental and
subordinate to, the principal use or structure.
2.812 Basement - means any area of a structure, including
crawl spaces, having its floor or base subgrade (below
ground level) on all four sides, regardless of the depth of
excavation below ground level.
2.813 Conditional Use - means a specific type of structure
or land use listed in the official control that may be
allowed but only after an in-depth review procedure and with
appropriate conditions or restrictions as provided in the
official zoning controls or building codes and upon a
finding that: (1) certain conditions as detailed in the
zoning ordinance exist and (2) the structure and/or land use
conform to the comprehensive land use plan if one exists and
are compatible with the existing neighborhood.
2.814 Equal Degree of Encroachment - a method of determining
the location of floodway boundaries so that flood plain
lands on both sides of a stream are capable of conveying a
proportionate share of flood flows.
2.815 Flood - a temporary increase in the flow or stage of a
, stream or in the stage of a wetland or lake that results in
the inundation of normally dry areas.
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2.816 Flood Frequency - the frequency for which it is
expected that a specific flood stage or discharge may be
equalled or exceeded.
2.817 Flood Fringe - that portion of the flood plain outside
of the floodway. Flood fringe is synonymous with the term
"floodway fringe" used in the Flood Insurance Study for
(local unit)
2.818 Flood Plain - the beds proper and the areas adjoining
a wetland, lake or watercourse which have been or hereafter
may be covered by the regional flood.
2.819 Flood-Proofing - a combination of structural
provisions, changes, or adjustments to properties and
structures subject to flooding, primarily for the reduction
or elimination of flood damages.
2.820 Floodway - the bed of a wetland or lake and the
channel of a watercourse and those portions of the adjoining
flood plain which are reasonably required to carry or store
the regional flood discharge.
2.821 Obstruction - any dam, wall, wharf, embankment, levee,
dike, pile, abutment, projection, excavation, channel
modification, culvert, building, wire, fence, stockpile,
refuse, fill, structure, or matter in, along, across, or
projecting into any channel, watercourse, or regulatory
flood plain which may impede, retard, or change the
direction of the flow of water, either in itself or by
catching or collecting debris carried by such water.
2.822 Principal Use or Structure - means all uses or
structures that are not accessory uses or structures.
2.823 Reach - a hydraulic engineering term to describe a
longitudinal segment of a stream or river influenced by a
natural or man-made obstruction. In an urban area, the
segment of a stream or river between two consecutive bridge
crossings would most typically constitute a reach.
2.824 Regional Flood - a flood which is representative of
large floods known to have occurred generally in Minnesota
and reasonably characteristic of what can be expected to
occur on an average frequency in the magnitude of the 100-
year recurrence interval. Regional flood is synonymous with
the term "base flood" used in the Flood Insurance Study.
2.825 Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation - The Regulatory
Flood Protection Elevation shall be an elevation no lower
than one foot above the elevation of the regional flood plus
any increases in flood elevation caused by encroachments on
the flood plain that result from designation of a floodway.
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2.826 Structure - anything constructed or erected on the
ground or attached to the ground or on-site utilities,
including, but not limited to, buildings, factories, sheds,
detached garages, cabins, manufactured homes, travel
trailers/vehicles not meeting the exemption.criteria
specified in Section 9.31 of the ordinance and other similar
items.
2.827 Variance - means a modification of a specific
permitted development standard required in an official
control including this ordinance to allow an alternative
development standard not stated as acceptable in the
official control, but only as applied to a particular
property for the purpose of alleviating a hardship,
practical difficulty or unique circumstance as defined and
elaborated upon in a community's respective planning and
zoning enabling legislation.
SECTION 3.0 ESTABLISHMENT OF ZONING DISTRICTS
3.1 Districts:
3.11 Floodway District. The Floodway District shall
include those areas designated as floodway on the Flood
Boundary and Floodway Map adopted in Section 2.2.
3.12 Flood Fringe District. The Flood Fringe District
shall include those areas designated as floodway fringe on
the Flaod Boundary and Flaodway Map adopted in Section 2.2.
3.13 General Flood Plain District. The General Flood
Plain District shall include those areas designated as
unnumbered A Zones on the Flood Insurance Rate Map adopted
in Section 2.2.
3.2 Compliance: No new structure or land shall hereafter be
used and no structure shall be located, extended, converted,
or structurally altered without full compliance with the
terms of this Ordinance and other applicable regulations
which apply to uses within the jurisdiction of this
Ordinance. Within the Floodway, Flood Fringe and General
Flood Plain Districts, all uses not listed as permitted uses
or conditional uses in Sections 4.0, 5.0 and 6.0 that
follow, respectively, shall be prohibited. In addition, a
caution is provided here that:
3.21 New manufactured homes, replacement manufactured
homes and certain travel trailers and travel vehicles are
subject to the general provisions of this Ordinance and
specifically Section 9.0;
3.22 Modifications, additions, structural alterations or
repair after damage to existing nonconforming structures and
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nonconforming uses of structures or land are regulated by
the general provisions of this Ordinance and specifically
Section 11.0; and
3,23 As-built elevations for elevated or flood proofed
structures must be certified by ground surveys and flood
proofing techniques must be designed and certified by a
registered professional engineer or architect as specified
in the general provisions of this Ordinance and specifically
as stated in Section 10.0 of this Ordinance.
SECTION 4.0 FLOODWAY DISTRICT (FW)
4.1 Permitted Uses:
4.11 General farming, pasture, grazing, outdoor plant
nurseries, horticulture, truck farming, forestry, sod
farming, and wild crop harvesting.
4.12 Industrial-commercial loading areas, parking areas,
and airport landing strips.
4.13 Private and public golf courses, tennis courts,
driving ranges, archery ranges, picnic grounds, boat
launching ramps, swimming areas, parks, wildlife and nature
preserves, game farms, fish hatcheries, shooting preserves,
target ranges, trap and skeet ranges, hunting and fishing
areas, and single or multiple purpose recreational trails.
4.14 Residential lawns, gardens, parking areas, and play
areas.
4.2 Standards for Floodway Permitted Uses:
4.21 The use shall have a low flood damage potential.
4.22 The use shall be permissible in the underlying zoning
district if one exists.
4.23 The use shall not obstruct flood flows or increase
flood elevations and shall not involve structures, fill,
obstructions, excavations or storage of materials or
equipment.
4.3 Conditional Uses:
4.31 Structures accessory to the uses listed in 4.1 above
and the uses listed in 4.32-4.38 below.
4.32 Extraction and storage of sand, gravel, and other
materials.
4.33 Marinas, boat rentals, docks, piers, wharves, and
water control structures.
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4.34 Railroads, streets, bridges, utility transmission
lines, and pipelines.
4.35 Storage yards for equipment, machinery,, or materials.
4.36 Placement of fill.
4.37 Travel trailers and travel vehicles either on
individual lots of record or in existing or new subdivisions
or commercial or condominium type campgrounds, subject to
the exemptions and provisions of Section 9.3 of this
Ordinance.
4.38 Structural works for flood control such as levees,
dikes and floodwalls constructed to any height where the
intent is to protect individual structures and levees or
dikes where the intent is to protect agricultural crops for
a frequency flood event equal to or less than the 10-year
frequency'flood event.
4.4 Standards for Floodway Conditional Uses:
4.41 All Uses. No structure (temporary or permanent), fill
(including fill for roads and levees), deposit, obstruction,
storage of materials or equipment, or other uses may be
allowed as a Conditional Use that will cause any increase in
the stage of the 100-year or regional flood or cause an
increase in flood damages in the reach or reaches affected.
4.42 All floodway Conditional Uses shall be subject to the
procedures and standards contained in Section 10.4 of this
Ordinance.
4.43 The Conditional Use shall be permissible in the
underlying zoning district if one exists.
4.44 Fill:
(a) Fill, dredge spoil and all other similar materials
deposited or stored in the flood plain shall be protected
from erosion by vegetative cover, mulching, riprap or other
acceptable method.
(b) Dredge spoil sites and sand and gravel operations shall
not be allowed in the floodway unless a long-term site
development plan is submitted which includes an
erosion/sedimentation prevention element to the plan.
(c) As an alternative, and consistent with Subsection (b)
immediately above, dredge spoil disposal and sand and gravel
operations may allow temporary, on-site storage of fill or
other materials which would have caused an increase to the
stage of the 100-year or regional flood but only after the
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Governing Body has received an appropriate pZan which
assures the removal of the materials from the floodway based
upon the flood warning time available. The Conditional Use
Permit must be title registered with the property in the
Office of the County Recorder.
4.45 Accessory Structures:
(a) Accessory structures shall not be designed for human
habitation.
(b) Accessory structures, if permitted, shall be
constructed and placed on the building site so as to offer
the minimum obstruction to the flow of flood waters.
(1) Whenever possible, structures shall be constructed with
the longitudinal axis parallel to the direction of flood
flow, and, (2) So far as practicable, structures shall be
placed approximately on the same flood flow lines as those
of adjoining structures.
(c) Accessory structures shall be elevated on fill or
structurally dry flood proofed in accordance with the FP-1
or FP-2 flood proofing classifications in the State Building
Code. As an alternative, an accessory structure may be
flood proofed to the FP-3 or FP-4 flood proofing
classification in the State Building Code provided the
accessory structure constitutes a minimal investment, does
not exceed 500 square feet in size, and for a detached
garage, the detached garage must be used solely for parking
of vehicles and limited storage. All flood proofed
accessory structures must meet the following additional
standards, as appropriate:
(1) The structure must be adequately anchored to prevent
flotation, collapse or lateral movement of the structure and
shall be designed to equalize hydrostatic flood forces on
exterior walls; and
(2) Any mechanical and utility equipment in a structure
must be elevated to or above the Regulatory Flood Protection
Elevation or properly flood proofed.
4.46 Storage of Materials and Equipment:
(a) The storage or processing of materials that are, in
time of flooding, flammable, explosive, or potentially
injurious to human, animal, or plant life is prohibited.
(b) Storage of other materials or equipment may be allowed
. if readily removable from the area within the time available
after a flood warning and in accordance with a plan approved
by the Governing Body.
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4.47 Structural works for flood control that will change
the course, current or cross section of protected wetlands
or public waters shall be subject to the provisions of
Minnesota Statute, Chapter 103G. Community-wide structural
works for flood control intended to remove azeas from the
regulatory flood plain shall not be allowed•in the floodway.
4.48 A levee, dike or floodwall constructed in the floodway
shall not cause an increase to the 100-year or regional
flood and the technical analysis must assume equal
conveyance or storage loss on both sides of a stream.
SECTION 5.0 FLOOD FRINGE DISTRICT (FF)
5.1 Permitted Uses: Permitted Uses shall be those uses of
land or structures listed as Permitted Uses in the
underZying zoning use district(s). If no pre-existing,
underlying zoning use districts exist, then any residential
or non residential structure or use of a structure or land
shall be,a Permitted Use in the Flood Fringe provided such
use does not constitute a public nuisance. A11 Permitted
Uses shall comply with the standards for Flood Fringe
"Permitted Uses" listed in Section 5.2 and the "Standards
for all Flood Fringe Uses" listed in Section 5.5.
5.2 Standards for Flood Fringe Permitted Uses:
5.21 All structures, including accessory structures, must
be elevated on fill so that the lowest floor including
basement floor is at or above the Regulatory Flood
Protection Elevation. The finished fill elevation for
structures shall be no lower than one (1) foot below the
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation and the fill shall
extend at such elevation at least fifteen (15) feet beyond
the outside limits of the structure erected thereon.
5.22 As an alternative to elevation on fill, accessory
structures that constitute a minimal investment and that do
not exceed 500 square feet for the outside dimension at
ground level may be internally flood proofed in accordance
with Section 4.45 (c).
5.23 The cumulative placement of fill where at any one time
in excess of one-thousand (1,000) cubic yards of fill is
located on the parcel shall be allowable only as a
Conditional Use, unless said fill is specifically intended
to elevate a structure in accordance with Section 5.21 of
this ordinance.
5.24 The storage of any materials or equipment shall be
elevated on fill to the Regulatory Flood Protection
Elevation.
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5.25 The provisions of Section 5.5 of this Ordinance shall
apply.
5.3 Conditional Uses: Any structure that is not elevated on
fill or flood proofed in accordance with Section 5.21-5.22
or any use of land that does not comply with the standards
in Section 5.23-5.24 shall only be allowable as a
Conditional Use. An application for a Conditional Use shall
be subject to the standards and criteria and evaluation
procedures specified in Sections 5.4-5.5 and 10.4 of this
Ordinance.
5.4 Standards for Flood Fringe Conditional Uses:
5.41 Alternative elevation methods other than the use of
fill may be utilized to elevate a structure's lowest floor
above the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation. These
alternative methods may include the use of stilts, pilings,
parallel walls, etc., or above-grade, enclosed areas such as
crawl spaces or tuck under garages. The base or floor of an
enclosed area shall be considered above-grade and not a
structure's basement or lowest floor if: 1) the enclosed
area is above-grade on at least one side of the structure;
2) it is designed to internally flood and is constructed
with flood resistant materials; and 3) it is used solely for
parking of vehicles, building access or storage. The
aboved-noted alternative elevation methods are subject to
the following additional standards:
(a) Design and Certification - The structure's design and
as-built condition must be certified by a registered
professional engineer or architect as being in compliance
with the general design standards of the State Building Code
and, specifically, that all electrical, heating,
ventilation, plumbing and air conditioning equipment and
other servi.ce facilities must be at or above the Regulatory
Flood Protection Elevation or be designed to prevent flood
water from entering or accumulating within these components
during times of flooding.
(b) Specific Standards for Above-grade, Enclosed Areas -
Above-grade, fully enclosed areas such as crawl spaces or
tuck under garages must be designed to internally flood and
the design plans must stipulate:
(1) The minimum area of openings in the walls where internal
flooding is to be used as a flood proofing technique. When
openings are placed in a structure's walls to provide for
entry of flood waters to equalize pressures, the bottom of
all openings shall be no higher than one-foot above grade.
Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, valves, or
other coverings or devices provided that they permit the
automatic entry and exit of flood waters.
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(2) That the enclosed area will be designed of flood
resistant materials in accordance with the FP-3 or FP-4
classifications in the State Building Code and shall be used
solely for building access, parking of vehicles or storage.
5.42 Basements, as defined by Section 2.81Z of this
Ordinance, shall be subject to the following:
(a) Residential basement construction shall not be allowed
below the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation.
(b) Non-residential basements may be allowed below the
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation provided the basement
is structurally dry flood proofed in accordance with Section
5.43 of this Ordinance.
5.43 All areas of non residential structures including
basements to be placed below the Regulatory Flood Protection
Elevation shall be flood proofed in accordance with the
structural'ly dry flood proofing classifications in the State
Building Code. Structurally dry flood proofing must meet
the FP-1 or FP-2 flood proofing classification in the State
Building Code and this shall require making the structure
watertight with the walls substantially impermeable to the
passage of water and with structural components having the
capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads
and the effects of bouyancy. Structures flood proofed to
the FP-3 or FP-4 classification shall not be permitted.
5.44 When at any one time more than 1,000 cubic yards of
fill or other similar material is located on a parcel for
such activities as on-site storage, landscaping, sand and
gravel operations, landfills, roads, dredge spoil disposal
or construction of flood control works, an
erosion/sedimentation control plan must be submitted unless
the community is enforcing a state approved shoreland
management ordinance. In the absence of a state approved
shoreland ordinance, the plan must clearly specify methods
to be used to stabilize the fill on site for a flood event
at a minimum of the 100-year or regional flood event. The
plan must be prepared and certified by a registered
professional engineer or other qualified individual
acceptable to the Governing Body. The plan may incorporate
alternative procedures for removal of the material from the
flood plain if adequate flood`warning time exists.
5.45 Storage of Materials and Equipment:
(a) The storage or processing of materials that are, in
time of flooding, flammable, explosive, or potentially
injurious to human, animal, or plant life is prohibited.
(b) Storage of other materials or equipment may be allowed
if readily removable from the area within the time available
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after a flood warning and in accordance with a plan approved
by the Governing Body.
5.46 The provisions of Section 5.5 of this Ordinance shall
also apply.
5.5 Standards for All Flood Fringe Uses:
5.51 All new principal structures must have vehicular
access at or above an elevation not more than two (2) feet
below the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation. If a
variance to this requirement is granted, the Board of
Adjustment must specify limitations on the period of use or
occupancy of the structure for times of flooding and only
after determining that adequate flood warning time and local
flood emergency response procedures exist.
5.52 Commercial Uses - accessory land uses, such as yards,
railroad tracks, and parking lots may be at elevations lower
than the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation. However, a
permit for such facilities to be used by the employees or
the general public shall not be granted in the absence of a
flood warning system that provides adequate time for
evacuation if the area would be inundated to a depth greater
than two feet or be subject to flood velocities greater than
four feet per second upon occurrence of the regional flood.
5.53 Manufacturing and Industrial Uses - measures shall be
taken to minimize interference with normal plant operations
especially along streams having protracted flood durations.
Certain accessory land uses such as yards and parking lots
may be at lower elevations subject to requirements set out
in Section 5.52 above. In considering permit applications,
due consideration shall be given to needs of an industry
whose business requires that it be located in flood plain
areas.
5.54 Fill shall be properly compacted and the slopes shall
be properly protected by the use of riprap, vegetative cover
or other acceptable method. The Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) has established criteria for
removing the special flood hazard area designation for
certain structures properly elevated on fill above the 100-
year flood elevation - FEMA's requirements incorporate
specific fill compaction and side slope protection standards
for multi-structure or multi-lot developments. These
standards should be investigated prior to the initiation of
site preparation if a change of special flood hazard area
designation will be requested.
5.55 Flood plain developments shall not adversely affect
the hydraulic capacity of the channel and adjoining flood
plain of any tributary watercourse or drainage system where
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a floodway or other encroachment limit has not been
specified on the Official Zoning Map.
5.56 Standards for travel trailers and travel vehicles are
contained in Section 9.3.
5.57 All manufactured homes must be securely anchored to an
adequately anchored foundation system that resists
flotation, collapse and lateral movement. Methods of
anchoring may include, but are not to be limited to, use of
over-the-top or frame ties to ground anchors. This
requirement is in addition to applicable state or local
anchoring requirements for resisting wind forces.
SECTION 6.0 GENERAL FLOOD PLAIN DISTRICT
6.1 Permissible Uses:
6.11 The uses listed in Section 4.1 of this Ordinance shall
be permitted uses.
6.12 All other uses shall be subject to the floodway/flood
fringe evaluation criteria pursuant to Section 6.2 below.
Section 4.0 shall apply if the proposed use is in the
Floodway District and Section 5.0 shall apply if the
proposed use is in the Flood Fringe District.
6.2 Procedures for Floodway and Flood Fringe Determinations
Within the General Flood Plain District.
6.21 Upon receipt of an application for a Conditional Use
Permit for a use within the General Flood Plain District,
the applicant shall be required to furnish such of the
following information as is deemed necessary by the Zoning
Administrator for the determination of the Regulatory Flood
Protection Elevation and whether the proposed use is within
the Floodway or Flood Fringe District.
(a) A typical valley cross-section showing the channel of
the stream, elevation of land areas adjoining each side of
the channel, cross-sectional areas to be occupied by the
proposed development, and high water information.
(b) Plan (surface view) showing elevations or contours of
the ground; pertinent structure, fill, or storage
elevations; size, location, and spatial arrangement of all
proposed and existing structures on the site; location and
elevations of streets; photographs showing existing land
uses and vegetation upstream and downstream; and soil type.
(c) Profile showing the slope of the bottom of the channel
or flow line of the stream for at least 500 feet in either
direction from the proposed development.
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6.22 The applicant shall be responsible to submit one copy
of the above information to a designated engineer or other
expert person or agency For technical assistance in
determining whether the proposed use is in the Floodway or
Flood Fringe District and to determine the Regulatory Flood
Protection Elevation. Procedures consistent'with Minnesota
Regulations 1983, Parts 6120.5000 - 6120.6200 shall be
followed in this expert evaluation. The designated engineer
or expert is strongly encouraged to discuss the proposed
technical evaluation methodology with the respective
Department of Natural Resources' Area Hydrologist prior to
commencing the analysis. The designated engineer or expert
shall:
(a) Estimate the peak discharge of the regional flood.
(b) Calculate the water surface profile of the regional
flood based upon a hydraulic analysis of the stream channel
and overbank areas.
(c) Compute the floodway necessary to convey or store the
regional flood without increasing flood stages more than 0.5
foot. A lesser stage increase than .5' shall be required
if, as a result of the additional stage increase, increased
flood damages would result. An equal degree of encroachment
on both sides of the stream within the reach shall be
assumed in computing floodway boundaries.
6.23 The Zoning Administrator shall present the technical
evaluation and findings of the designated engineer or expert
to the Governing Body. The Governing Body must formally
accept the technical evaluation and the recommended Floodway
and/or Flood Fringe District boundary or deny the permit
application. The Governing Body, prior to official action,
may submit the application and all supporting data and
analyses to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the
Department of Natural Resources or the Planning Commission
for review and comment. Once the Floodway and Flood Fringe
Boundaries have been determined, the Governing Body shall
refer the matter back to the Zoning Administrator who shall
process the permit application consistent with the
applicable provisions of Section 4.0 and 5.0 of this
Ordinance.
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SECTION 7.0 SUBDIVISION52
7.1 Review Criteria: No land shall be subdivided which is
unsuitable for the reason of flooding, inadequate drainage,
water supply or sewage treatment facilities. All lots
within the flood plain districts shall contarin a building
site at or above the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation.
Ali subdivisions shall have water and sewage treatment
facilities that comply with the provisions of this Ordinance
and have road access both to the subdivision and to the
individual building sites no lower than two feet below the
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation. For all subdivisions
in the flood plain, the Floodway and Flood Fringe
boundaries, the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation and
the required elevation of all access roads shall be clearly
labelled on all required subdivision drawings and platting
documents.
7.2 FZoodway/Flood Fringe Determinations in the General
Flood Plain District: In the General Flood Plain District,
applicants shall provide the information required in Section
6.2 of this Ordinance to determine the 100-year flood
elevation, the Floodway and Flood Fringe District boundaries
and the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation for the
subdivision site.
7.3 Removal of Special Flood Hazard Area Designation: The
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has established
criteria for removing the special flood hazard area
designation for certain structures properly elevated on fill
above the 100-year flood elevation. FEMA's requirements
incorporate specific fill compaction and side slope
protection standards for multi-structure or multi-lot
developments. These standards should be investigated prior
to the initiation of site preparation if a change of special
flood hazard area designation will be requested.
2This Section is not intended as a substitute for a
comprehensive city or county subdivision ordinance. It can,
however, be used as an interim control until the
comprehensive subdivision ordinance can be amended to
include necessary flood plain management provisions.
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SECTION 8.0 PUBLIC UTILITIES, RAILROADS, ROADS, AND BRIDGES
8.1 Public Utilities. All public utilities and facilities
such as gas, electrical, sewer, and water supply systems to
be located in the flood plain shall be flood-proofed in
accordance with the State Building Code or elevated to above
the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation.
8.2 Public Transportation Facilities. Railroad tracks,
roads, and bridges to be located within the flood plain
shall comply with Sections 4.0 and 5.0 of this Ordinance.
Elevation to the Requlatory Flood Protection Elevation shaZl
be provided where failure or interruption of these
transportation facilities would result in danger to the
public health or safety or where such facilities are
essential to the orderly functioning of the area. Minor or
auxiliary roads or railroads may be constructed at a lower
elevation where failure or interruption of transportation
services would not endanger the public health or safety.
8.3 On-site Sewage Treatment and Water Supply Systems:
Where public utilities are not provided: 1) On-site water
supply systems must be designed to minimize or eliminate
infiltration of flood waters into the systems; and 2) New or
replacement on-site sewage treatment systems must be
designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood
waters into the systems and discharges from the systems into
flood waters and they shall not be subject to impairment or
contamination during times of flooding. Any sewage
treatment system designed in accordance with the State's
current statewide standards for on-site sewage treatment
systems shall be determined to be in compliance with this
Section.
SECTION 9.0 MANUFACTURED HOMES AND MANUFACTURED HOME PARKS
AND PLACEMENT OF TRAVEL TRAILERS AND TRAVEL VEHICLES.
9.1 New manufactured home parks and expansions to existing
manufactured home parks shall be subject to the provisions
placed on subdivisions by Section 7.0 of this Ordinance.
9.2 The placement of new or replacement manufactured homes
in existing manufactured home parks or on individual lots of
record that are located in flood plain districts will be
treated as a new structure and may be placed only if
elevated in compliance with Section 5.0 of this Ordinance.
If vehicular road access for pre-existing manufactured home
parks is not provided in accordance with Section 5.51, then
replacement manufactured homes will not be allowed until the
. property owner(s) develops a flood warning emergency plan
acceptable to the Governing Body.
9.21 All manufactured hames must be securely anchored to an
adequately anchored foundation system that resists
16
i flotation, collapse and lateral movement. Methods of
anchoring may include, but are not to be limited to, use of
over-the-top or frame ties to ground anchors. This
requirement is in addition to applicable state or local
anchoring requirements for resisting wind forces.
9.3 Travel trailers and travel vehicles that do not meet the
exemption criteria specified in Section 9.31 below shall be
subject to the provisions of this Ordinance and as
specifically spelled out in Sections 9.33-9.34 below.
9.31 Exemption - Travel trailers and travel vehicles are
exempt from the provisions of this Ordinance if they are
placed in any of the areas listed in Section 9.32 below and
further they meet the following criteria:
(a) Have current licenses required for highway use.
(b) Are highway ready meaning on wheels or the internal
jacking system, are attached to the site only by quick
disconnect type utilities commonly used in campgrounds and
trailer parks and the travel trailer/travel vehicle has no
permanent structural type additions attached to it.
(c) The travel trailer or travel vehicle and associated use
must be permissible in any pre-existing, underlying zoning
use district.
9.32 Areas Exempted For Placement of Travel/Recreational
Vehicles:
(a) Individual lots or parcels of record.
(b) Existing commercial recreational vehicle parks or
campgrounds.
(c) Existing condominium type associations.
9.33 Travel trailers and travel vehicles exempted in
Section 9.31 lose this exemption when development occurs on
the parcel exceeding $500 dollars for a structural addition
to the travel trailer/travel vehicle or an accessory
structure such as a garage or storage building. The travel
trailer/travel vehicle and all additions and accessory
structures will then be treated as a new structure and shall
be subject to the elevation/flood proofing requirements and
the use of land restrictions specified in Sections 4.0 and
5.0 of this Ordinance.
9.34 New commercial travel trailer or travel vehicle parks
or campgrounds and new residential type subdivisions and
condominium associations and the expansion of any existing
similar use exceeding five (5) units or dwelling sites shall
be subject to the following:
(a) Any new or replacement travel trailer or travel vehicle
will be allowed in the Floodway or Flood Fringe Districts
provided said trailer or vehicle and its contents are placed
17
a ,
on fill above the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation and
proper elevated road access to the site exists in accordance
with Section 5.51 of this Ordinance. No fill placed in the
floodway to meet the requirements of this Section shall
increase flood stages of the 100-year or regional flood.
(b) All new or replacement travel trailers or travel
vehicles not meeting the criteria of (a) above may, as an
alternative, be allowed as a Conditional Use if in
accordance with the following provisions and the provisions
of 10.4 of the Ordinance. The applicant must submit an
emergency plan for the safe evacuation of all vehicles and
people during the 100 year flood. Said plan shall be
prepared by a registered engineer or other qualified
individual and shall demonstrate that adequate tirne and
personnel exist to carry out the evacuation. All attendant
sewage and water facilities for new or replacemeni: travel
trailers or other recreational vehicles must be protected or
constructed so as to not be impaired or contaminai:ed during
times of Plooding in accordance with Section 8.3 of this
Ordinance.
SECTION 10.0 ADMINISTRATION
10.1 Zoning Administrator: A Zoning Administrator or other
official designated by theGoverning Body shall adrninister
and enforce this Ordinance. If the Zoning Administrator
finds a violation of the provisions of this Ordineince the
Zoning Administrator shall notify the person responsible for
such violation in accordance with the procedures :atated in
Section 12.0 of the Ordinance.
10.2 Permit Requirements:
10.21 Permit Required. A Permit issued by the Zoning
Administrator in conformity with the provisions oiE this
Ordinance shall be secured prior to the erection, addition,
or alteration of any building, structure, or portion
thereof; prior to the use or change of use of a building,
structure, or land; prior to the change or extens:ion of a
nonconforming use; and prior to the placement of fill,
excavation of materials, or the storage of materials or
equipment within the flood plain.
10.22 Application for Permit. Application for a]?ermit
shall be made in duplicate to the Zoning Administirator on
forms furnished by the Zoning Administrator and shall
include the following where applicable: plans in duplicate
drawn to scale, showing the nature, location, dimeansions,
and elevations of the lot; existing or proposed structures,
fi1Z, or storage of materials; and the location o:f the
foregoing in relation to the stream channel.
18
10.23 State and Federal Permits. Prior to granting a Permit
or processing an application for a Conditional Use Permit or
Variance, the Zoning Administrator shall determine that the
applicant has obtained all necessary State and Federal
Permits.
10.24 Certificate of Zoning Compliance for a New, Altered,
or Nonconforming Use. It shall be unlawful to use, occupy,
or permit the use or occupancy of any building or premises
or part thereof hereafter created, erected, changed,
converted, altered, or enlarged in its use or structure
until a Certificate of Zoning Compliance shall have been
issued by the Zoning Administrator stating that the use of
the building or land conforms to the requirements of this
Ordinance.
10.25 Construction and Use to be as Provided on
Applications, Plans, Permits, Variances and Certificates of
Zoning Compliance. Permits, Conditional Use Permits, or
Certificates of Zoning Compliance issued on the basis of
approvedplans and applications authorize only the use,
arrangement, and construction set forth in such approved
plans and applications, and no other use, arrangement, or
construction. Any use, arrangement, or construction at
variance with that authorized shall be deemed a violation of
this Ordinance, and punishable as provided by Section 12.0
of this Ordinance.
10.26 Certification. The applicant shall be required to
submit certification by a registered professional engineer,
registered architect, or registered land surveyor that the
finished fill and building elevations were accomplished in
compliance with the provisions of this ordinance. Flood-
proofing measures shall be certified by a registered
professional engineer or registered architect.
10.27 Record of First Floor Elevation. The Zoning
Administrator shall maintain a record of the elevation of
the lowest floor (including basement) of all new structures
and alterations or additions to existinq structures in the
flood plain. The Zoning Administrator shall also maintain a
record of the elevation to which structures or alterations
and additions to structures are flood-proofed.
10.3 Board of Adjustment:
10.31 Rules. The Board of Adjustment shall adopt rules for
the conduct of business and may exercise all of the powers
conferred on such Boards by State law.
10.32 Administrative Review. The Board shall hear and
decide appeals where it is alleged there is error in any
order, requirement, decision, or determination made by an
19
x ,
administrative official in the enforcement or administration
of this Ordinance.
10.33 Variances. The Board may authorize upon appeal in .
specific cases such relief or variance from the terms of
this Ordinance as will not be contrary to the public
interest and only for those circumstances such as hardship,
practical difficulties or circumstances unique to the
property under consideration, as provided for in the
respective enabling legislation for planning and zoning for
cities or counties as appropriate. In the granting of such
variance, the Board of Adjustment shall clearly identify in
writing the specific conditions that existed consistent with
the criteria specified in the respective enabling
legislation which justified the granting of the variance.
No Variance shall have the effect of allowing in any
district uses prohibited in that district, permit a lower
degree of flood protection than the Regulatory Flood
Protection Elevation for the particular area, or permit
standards•lower than those required by State law.
10.34 Hearings. Upon filing with the Board of Adjustment of
an appeal from a decision of the Zoning Administrator, or an
application for a variance, the Board shall fix a reasonable
time for a hearing and give due notice to the parties in
interest as specified by law. The Board shall submit by
mail to the Commissioner of Natural Resources a copy of the
application for proposed Variances sufficiently in advance
so that the Commissioner will receive at least ten days
notice of the hearing.
10.35 Decisions. The Board shall arrive at a decision on
such appeal or Variance within days. In
passing upon an appeal, the Board may, so long as such
action is in conformity with the provisions of this
Ordinance, reverse or affirm, wholly or in part, or modify
the order, requirement, decision or determination of the
Zoning Administrator or other public official. It shall
make its decision in writing setting forth the findings of
fact and the reasons for its decisions. In granting a
Variance the Board may prescribe appropriate conditions and
safeguards such as those specified in Section 10.46, which
are in conformity with the purposes of this Ordinance.
Violations of such conditions and safeguards, when made a
part of the terms under which the Variance is granted, shall
be deemed a violation of this Ordinance punishable under
Section 12.0. A copy of all decisions granting Variances
shall be forwarded by mail to the Commissioner of Natural
Resources within ten (10) days of such action.
10.36 Appeals. Appeals from any decision of the Board may
be made, and as specified in this Community's Official
Controls and also Minnesota Statutes.
20
~
10.37 Flood Insurance Notice and Record Keeping. The Zoning
Administrator shall notify the applicant for a variance
that: 1) The issuance of a variance to construct a
structure below the base flood level will result in
increased premium rates for flood insurance up to amounts as
high as $25 for $100 of insurance coverage arid 2) Such
construction below the 100-year or regional flood level
increases risks to life and property. Such notification
shall be maintained with a record of all variance actions.
A community shall maintain a record of all variance actions,
including justification for their issuance, and report such
variances issued in its annual or biennial report submitted
to the Administrator of the National Flood Insurance
Program.
10.4 Conditional Uses. The
(Governing Body/Planning Comm./Bd. of Adjust.
shall hear and decide applications for Conditional Uses
permissibl•e under this Ordinance. Applications shall be
submitted to the Zoning Administrator who shall forward the
application to for consideration.
(Designated Body)
10.41 Hearings. Upon filing with the
an application for a
(Designated Body)
Conditional Use Permit, the shall submit
(Designated Body)
by mail to the Commissioner of Natural Resources a copy of
the application for proposed Conditional Use sufficiently in
advance so that the Commissioner will receive at least ten
days notice of the hearing.
10.42 Decisions. The shall arrive at
(Designated Body)
a decision on a Conditional Use within days. In
granting a Conditional Use Permit the
shall prescribe appropriate
(Designated Body)
conditions and safeguards, in addition to those specified in
Section 10.46, which are in conformity with the purposes of
this Ordinance. Violations of such conditions and
safeguards, when made a part of the terms under which the
Conditional Use Permit is granted, shall be deemed a
violation of this Ordinance punishable under Section 12.0.
A copy of all decisions granting Conditional Use Permits
shall be forwarded by mail to the Commissioner of Natural
Resources within ten (10) days of such action.
10.43 Procedures to be followed by the
(Designated Body)
in Passing on Conditional Use Permit Applications Within all
Flood Plain Districts.
21
4 ~
(a) Require the applicant to furnish such of the following
information and additional information as deemed necessary
by the for determining the suitability of
(Designated Body)
the particular site for the proposed use: (1) Plans in triplicate drawn to scale showing the nature,
location, dimensions, and elevation of the lot, existing or
proposed structures, fill, storage of materials, flood-
proofing measures, and the relationship of the above to the
location of the stream channel.
(2) Specifications for building construction and materials,
flood-proofing, filling, dredging, grading, channel
improvement, storage of materials, water supply and sanitary
facilities.
(b) Transmit one copy of the information described in
subsectiori (a) to a designated engineer or other expert
person or agency for technical assistance, where necessary,
in evaluating the proposed project in relation to flood
heights and velocities, the seriousness of flood damage to
the use, the adequacy of the plans for protection, and other
technical matters.
(c) Based upon the technical evaluation of the designated
engineer or expert, the shall determine the
(Designated Body)
specific flood hazard at the site and evaluate the
suitability of the proposed use in relation to the flood
hazard.
10.44 Factors Upon Which the Decision of the
Shall Be Based. In passing
(Designated Body)
upon Conditional Use applications, the
(Designated Body)
shall consider all relevant factors specified in other
sections of this Ordinance, and:
(a) The danger to life and property due to increased flood
heights or velocities caused by encroachments.
(b) The danger that materials may be swept onto other lands
or downstream to the injury of others or they may block
bridges, culverts or other hydraulic structures.
(c) The proposed water supply and sanitation systems and
the ability of these systems to prevent disease,
contamination, and unsanitary conditions.
(d) The susceptability of the proposed facility and its
contents to flood damage and the effect of such damage on
the individual owner.
(e) The importance of the services provided by the proposed
facility to the community.
22
u s~ ~
(f) The requirements of the facility for a waterfront
location.
(g) The availability of alternative locations not subject
to flooding for the proposed use.
(h) The compatability of the proposed use with existing
development and development anticipated in the forseeable
future.
(i) The relationship of the proposed use to the
comprehensive plan and flood plain management program for
the area.
(j) The safety of access to the property in times of flood
for ordinary and emergency vehicles.
(k) The expected heights, velocity, duration, rate of rise,
and sediment transport of the flood waters expected at the
site.
(1) Such other factors which are relevant to the purposes
of this Ordinance.
10.45 Time for Acting on Application. The
' shall act on an application in the
(Designated Body)
manner described above within days from receiving the
application, except that where additional information is
required pursuant to 10.44 of this Ordinance. The
shall render a written decision within
(Designated Body)
days from the receipt of such additional information.
10.46 Conditions Attached to Conditional Use Permits. Upon
consideration of the factors listed above and the purpose of
this Ordinance, the shall attach such
(Designated Body)
conditions to the granting of Conditional Use Permits as it
deems necessary to fulfill the purposes of this Ordinance.
Such conditions may include, but are not limited to, the
following:
(a) Modification of waste treatment and water supply
facilities.
(b) Limitations on period of use, occupancy, and operation.
(c) Imposition of operational controls, sureties, and deed
restrictions.
(d) Requirements for construction of channel modifications,
compensatory storage, dikes, levees, and other protective
measures.
(e) Flood-proofing measures, in accordance with the State
Building Code and this Ordinance. The applicant shall
submit a plan or document certified by a registered
professional engineer or architect that the flood-proofing
measures are consistent with the Regulatory Flood Protection
Elevation and associated flood factors for the particular
area.
23
,
SECTION 11.0 NONCONFORMING USES
11.1 A structure or the use of a structure or premises
which was lawful before the passage or amendment of this
Ordinance but which is not in conformity with the provisions
of this Ordinance may be continued subject t~o the following
conditions:
11.11 No such use shall be expanded, changed, enlarged, or
altered in a way which increases its nonconformity.
11.12 Any alteration or addition to a nonconforming
structure or nonconforming use which would result in
increasing the flood damage potential of that structure or
use shall be protected to the Regulatory Flood Protection
Elevation in accardance with any of the elevation on fill or
fload proofing techniques ( i.e. , FP-1 thru FP-4
floodproofing classifications) allowable in the State
Building Code, except as further restricted in 11.13 below.
11.13 The cost of any structural alterations or additions to
any nonconforming structure over the life of the structure
shall not exceed 50 percent of the market value of the
structure unless the conditions of this Section are
satisfied. The cost of all structural alterations and
additions constructed since the adoption of the Community's
initial flood plain controls must be calculated into today's
current cost which will include all costs such as
construction materials and a reasonable cost placed on all
manpower or labor. If the current cost of all previous and
proposed alterations and additions exceeds 50 percent of the
current market value of the structure, then the structure
must meet the standards of Section 4.0 or 5.0 of this
Ordinance for new structures depending upon whether the
structure is in the Floodway or Flood Fringe, respectively.
11.14 If any nonconforming use is discontinued for 12
consecutive months, any future use of the building premises
shall conform to this Ordinance. The assessor shall notify
the Zoning Administrator in writing of instances of
nonconforming uses which have been discontinued for a period
of 12 months.
11.15. If any nonconforming use or structure is destroyed by
any means, including floods, to an extent of 50 percent or
more of its market value at the time of destruction, it
shall not be reconstructed except in conformity with the
provisions of this Ordinance. The applicable provisions for
establishing new uses or new structures in Sections 4.0, 5.0
or 6.0 will apply depending upon whether the use or
structure is in the Floodway, Flood Fringe or General Flood
Plain District, respectively.
24
SECTION 12.0 PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION
12.1 Violation of the provisions of this Ordinance or
failure to comply with any of its requirements (including
violations of conditions and safeguards established in
connection with grants of Variances or Conditional Uses)
shall constitute a misdemeanor and shall be punishable
as defined by law.
12.2 Nothing herein contained shall prevent the
from taking such other lawful action
(local unit)
as is necessary to prevent or remedy any violation. Such
actions may include but are not limited to:
12.21 In responding to a suspected ordinance violation, the
Zoning Administrator and Local Government may utilize the
full array of enforcement actions available to it includinq
but not limited to prosecution and fines, injunctions,
after-the=fact permits, orders for corrective measures or a
request to the National Flood Insurance Program for denial
of flood insurance availability to the guilty party. The
community must act in good faith to enforce these official
controls and to correct ordinance violations to the extent
possible so as not to jeopardize its eligibility in the
National Flood Insurance Program.
12.22 When an ordinance violation is either discovered by or
brought to the attention of the Zoning Administrator, the
Zoning Administrator shall immediately investigate the
situation and document the nature and extent of the
violation of the official control. As soon as is reasonably
possible, this information will be submitted to the
appropriate Department of Natural Resources' and Federal
Emergency Management Agency Regional Office along with the
Community's plan of action to correct the violation to the
degree possible.
12.23 The Zoning Administrator shall notify the suspected
party of the requirements of this Ordinance and all other
official Controls and the nature and extent of the suspected
violation of these controls. If the structure and/or use is
under construction or development, the Zoning Administrator
may order the construction or development immediately halted
until a proper permit or approval is granted by the
Community. If the construction or development is already
completed, then the Zoning Administrator may either (1)
issue an order identifying the corrective actions that must
be made within a specified time period to bring the use or
structure into compliance with the official controls, or (2)
notify the responsible party to apply for an after-the-fact
permit/development approval within a specified period of
time not to exceed 30-days.
25
r
12.24 If the responsible party does not appropriately
respond to the Zoning Administrator within the specified
period of time, each additional day that lapses shall
constitute an additional violation of this Ordinance and
shall be prosecuted accordingly. The Zoning Administrator
shall also upon the lapse of the specified response period
notify the landowner to restore the land to the condition
which existed prior to the violation of this Ordinance.
SECTION 13.0 AMENDMENTS
The flood plain designation on the Official Zoning Map shall
not be removed from flood plain areas unless it can be shown
that the designation is in error or that the area has been
filled to or above the elevation of the regional flood and
is contiguous to lands outside the flood plain. Special
exceptions to this rule may be permitted by the Commissioner
of Natural Resources if he determines that, through other
measures, lands are adequately protected for the intended
use.
All amendments to this Ordinance, including amendments to
the Official Zoning Map, must be submitted to and approved
by the Commissioner of Natural Resources prior to adoption.
Changes in the Official Zoning Map must meet the Federal
Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Technical Conditions
and Criteria and must receive prior FEMA approval before
adoption. The Commissioner of Natural Resources must be
given 10-days written notice of all hearings to consider an
amendment to this Ordinance and said notice shall include a
draft of the ordinance amendment or technical study under
consideration.
26
w. • ~ STATE OF
UV
UV LS 50u[.-=,~
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
500 LAFAYETTE ROAD • ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA • 55155-40
DNR INFORMATION
(612) 296-6157
April 9, 1991
Catherine Iago, Zoning Administrator
City of Arden Hills
1450 West Highway 96
Arden Hills, MN 55112
Dear Ms. Iago:
Enclosed is a new model floodplain ordinance which most closely meets
your community's needs. As you are probably already aware, the
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Minnesota DNR have
negotiated this model ordinance to reflect the changes in federal
regulations which were actually effective in 1986. Because of these
changes every community in the National Flood Insurance Program is
being required to amend their floodplain zoning ordinances.
Please note that the new model is also available (at no charge) on
floppy disk for a personal computer. Available formats are Microsoft
Word and ASCII.
If you prefer to amend the existing ordinance we would have to review
it more closely to be sure there are no omissions. Although state
regulations allow 6 months to amend your ordinance, federal
regulations only allow 90 days from the receipt of this letter for
amendments to non-compliant ordinances. It is suggested that you
attempt to meet the federal deadline in order to avoid any possible
sanctions imposed by FEMA. Because state law also requires that a
proposed local ordinance be reviewed and approved 30 days prior to
adoption, please send any drafts being considered for adoption to Area
Hydrologist Molly Shodeen in 60 days.
Please feel free to contact your Ms. Shodeen or myself (612-296-9224)
if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Judy Boudreau
FEMA-CAP Hydrologist
cc: Mayor Thomas Sather
Molly Shodeen, Area Hydrologist (612-772-7910)
John Linc Stine, Regional Hydrologist
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
3i ~
WARREN E. PETERSON PETERSON, FRANKE & RIACH tREAL PROPERTYLAW SPECIALIST
RONALD J. RIACH PROFFSSIONAL ASSOCIATION *ALSO ADMITTED IN WISCONSIN
JEROME P. FILLA
DANIEL WITT FRAM 700 MIDWEST FEDERAL BUILDiNG :ALSO ADMITTED IN ILLINOIS,
GLENN A. BERGMAN 50 EAST FIFi'H STREET FLORIDA, WASHINGTON D.C.
JOHN MICHAEL MILLER ST. PAUL MINNESOTA 55101-1197 [tosEVILLE oF'F[CE
GARY W. BECKER"I '
200 ROSEDALE TOWERS
TIMOTHY J. HASSETTt -
MICHAEL T. OBERLE (612) 291-8955 1700 WEST HIGHWAY 36
CLYDE C. AEiLQUIST ROSEVILLE, MINNESOTA 55113
FAX NO. (612) 228-1753 (612) 636-6400
FAX NO. (612) 636-7334
May 13 , 1991 OF COUNSEL
JEROME E. FRANKE
MELVIN J. SILYER
Ms. Cathy Iago
City of Arden Hills
1450 West Highway 96
Arden Hills, MN 55112
RE: FYood Plain Management Ordinance
Our File No.: 10450/900002
Cathy:
Enclosed is a draft of the Flood Plain Management Regulations.
The format is now the same as the current City Code. I would Zike
to have you and Dave review this Regulation. In particular I would
like you to review Article X and the various procedures for
hearings described in that Article. I think that this section
should be rewritten so that it is coordinated with the City's
current regulations for hearings on similar matters.
Very truly yours,
Jerom P. illa
JPF:cab
~
~
Enclosure
cc: Dave Kriesel
Gary Berger
VAz:1 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS
1450 WEST HIGHWAY 96
ARDEN HILLS, MN 55112-5794
October 31, 1991
Ogbazghi Siun
MnDNR
500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, NIN 55155
S[JBJECI': Ordinance No. 283 - Flood Plain Management
Dear Mr. SiLUn:
Fnclosed is a copy of Ordinance No. 283 - Flood Plain Management for
final review and approval per your request. Please pardon the delay in
fozwarding this information to you.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 633-5676.
Sincerely, ~
,
4catherine . Iago, CMC
Deputy Clerk/Zoning Adninistrator
CJI/ts
IIzclosure
L91-27
PHONE: 16121 633-5678 . FoX (R'121 9'3'3_7R-24
WARREN E. PETERSON PETERSON, FRAM & BERGMAN tREALPROPERTYLnwsrECraLisT
JEROME P. FILLA PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATTON *ALSO ADMITTED IN WISCONSIN
DANIEL WITT FRAM 300 MIDWEST FEDERAL BUILDING #ALSO ADMITTED IN ILLINOIS,
GLENN A. BERGMAN FLORIDA, WASffiNGTON D.C.
JOHN MICHAEL MILLER 50 EAST FIFTH STREET -
GARY W. BECKER*$ ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, 55101-1197 OF COUNSEL
TIMOTHY J. HASSETTt MELVIN J. SILVER
MICHAEL T. OBERLE
(612) 291-8955
FAX NO. (612) 228-1753
October 22, 1991
Cathy Iago
Zoning Administrator
City of Arden Hills
1450 TnTest Highway 46
Arden Hills, MN 55112
RE: Flood Plain Regulatians
Ordinance No. 283
Our File No.: 10450/900002
Cathy:
Enclosed is the revised version of the City's Flood Plain
Regulations which incorporates the changes approved by the City
Council. This is the copy of the Ordinance which should be made
part of the official City records and which should be signed by the
Mayor and the City Administrator.
If you have any questions, please contact me.
Very truly yours,
Jer `e yFilla
JPF:cab
Enclosure
s..l
~
STATE OF
UV UV L5 c~70~1r,~
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
500 LAFAYETTE ROAD • ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA • 55155-40
DNR INFORMATION
(612) 296-6157
April g, 1991
Catherine Iago, 2oning Administrator
City of Arden Hills
1450 West Highway 96
Arden Hills, MN 55112
Dear Ms. Iago:
Enclosed is a new model floodplain ordinance which most closely meets
your community's needs. As you are probably already aware, the
Federai Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Minnesota DNR have
negotiated this model ordinance to reflect the changes in federal
regulations which were actually effective in 1986. Because of these
changes every community in the National Flood Insurance Program is
being required to amend their floodplain zoning ordinances.
Please note that the new model is also available (at no charge) on
floppy disk for a personal computer. Available formats are Microsoft
Word and ASCII.
If you prefer to amend the existing ordinance we would have to review
it more closely to be sure there are no omissions. Althaugh state
regulations allow 6 months to amend your ordinance, federal
regulations only allow 90 days from the receipt of this letter for
amendments to non-compliant ordinances. It is suggested that you
attempt to meet the federal deadline in order to avoid any possible
sanctions imposed by FEMA. Because state law also requires that a
proposed local ordinance be reviewed and approved 30 days prior to
adoption, please send any drafts being considered for adoption to Area
Hydrologist Molly Shodeen in 60 days.
Please feel free to contact your Ms. Shodeen or myself (612-296-9224)
if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Judy Boudreau
FEMA-CAP Hydrologist
cc: Mayor Thomas Sather
Molly Shodeen, Area Hydrologist (612-772-7910)
John Linc Stine, Regional Hydrologist
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
3~~-
.
STATE OF
C~ m CE 3 O UL%
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
500 LAFAYETTE ROAD • ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA • 55155-40
DNR INFORMATION
(612) 296-6157
September 20, 1991
Catherine Iago, ZA
City of Arden Hills ~
1450 West Highway 96
Arden Hills, MN 55112
Dear Ms. Iago:
You. have reaeived past notiEication about -thz need to revise
your floodplain regulations to reflect changes in federal
standards. Although we may have had conversations with you,
or may have commented on your preliminary ordinance, to date
we have not received a draft or final ordinance for our
final review and approval.
We urge you to complete work on your revisions so that you
may receive final State approval by June 30, 1992. If you
no longer have a copy of the (model ordinance) please
contact your area hydrologist listed below or any of the
floodplain staff in our St. Paul office at 612-296-4800.
Thank you for your attention. We would be happy to assist
you if needed.
Sincerely,
~ Supervisor
Land Use Management Unit
cc: Thomas Sather, Mayor
Molly Shodeen, Area Hydrologist (772-7910)
John Stine, Regional Hydrologist
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
WARREN E. PETERSON PETERSON, FRAM & BERGMAN fiREALPROPERTYLAWSPECIALIST
JEROME P. FILLA PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION *ALSO ADMITTED IN WISCONSIN
DANIEL WTTT FRAM 300 MIDWEST FEDERAL BUILDING IALSO ADMITTED IN ILLINOIS,
GLENN A. BERGMAN FLORIDA, WASHINGTON D.C.
JOHN MICHAEL MILLER 50 EAST FIFTH STREET -
cnxY W. sECKEx*T ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA 55101-1197 oF couNSEL
TIMOTHY J. HASSETTt MELVIN J. STLYER
MICHAEL T. OBERLE
(672) 291-8955
FAX N0. (612) 228-1753
October 14, 1991
Mr. Gary Berger
City Administrator
City of Arden Hills
1450 West Highway 96
Arden Hills, MN 55112
RE: Flood Plain Management Regulations
Our File No.: 10450/900002
Gary:
Enclosed is an Ordinance Summary for the proposed Flood Plain
Management Regulations and a revision to the last page of the
proposed Ordinance. The Ordinance pages were amended to reflect
the publication date for the Ordinance Summary instead of a
publication date for the Ordinance itself.
If you have any questions, please contact me.
Very truly yours,
~ Jero e~P illa
JPF:cab ~
v
Enclosures
cc: Cathy Iago, City Zoning Clerk
Afftbttuit uf ~ublYrttttu~
4ktttc IIf Minniesattt
Cnnuntg nf Ettmoeg as.
N. Theodore Lillie , being duly sworr,, or, oath says that
he/she is the publisher or authorized agent and employee of the publisher of the newspaper
known as NeW Brighton Blllletlri , and has full knowledge of the facts which
are stated below:
(A) The newspaper has complied with all of the requirements constituting qualification as
a qualified newspaper, as provided by Minnesota Statute 337A.02, 331A.07, and other applicable
laws, as amended.
(B) Tne printed _ Ordinanace 2$3 Summar
which is attached was cut from the columns of said newspaper, and was printed and published
once each week, far 1 successive weeks; it was first published onWednesday, the
2 3 rd day of OC t. 19 91 , and was thereafter printed and published on every
to and including , the day of , 19 ; and printed
below is a copy of the lower case alphabet from A to Z, both inclusive, which is hereby
acknowledged as being ihe size and kind of type used in the composition and publication of the
notice:
'abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz ~ f • n A'. •
BY:
TITLE: v' O
Subscritied and sworn to before me on
tnis 23 rd day of ' Oct, 119 91
C
Notary Public
'Alphabet should be in the same size and kind of type as the notice.
- RATE INFORMATION
(1) Lowest classified rate paid by
commercial users for comparable space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12.00 per col. inch
(2) Maximum rate allowed by law for the above matter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8.93 per col. inch
(3) Rate actually charged for the above matter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ per col. inch
1 /91
STATE OF MINNESOTA
COUNTY OF RAMSEY-
CITY Of ARDEN HILLS
ORDINANCE 283 SUMMARY
FLOOD PLAIN MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS
On October 45, 1991, the Arden Hills City Couneil
approved Ordinance No. 283, whiCh adds Chapter 9.8
to the Arden Hills Municipal Code relating to Floodplain
Management Regulations. The City Council, by an al-
~firmative vote of at leasi four councilmembers, directed
; that a Summary of Ordinance No. 283 be published in
' the Ciry's Official Newspaper and that a printed copy
~ of OMinance No. 283 be posted on the City's Bulletin
i Board or otMerwise be made available for inspection
at the Gity's olfices tluring regular business hours.
I Ordinance No. 283 effec[ively artierrd¢ the Citys cur-
' rent Floodplain Management Regulations by incor_
porating changes prescribed by the Federal Emergency
Management Agency and the Minnesota Department
of Natural Resources. In addition to the establishmeM
- of a Floodway District, a Flood Fringe Distrjct and a
Genera! Fload Plain District, the Ordinance includes
regulations which apply to the development and use .
of property located within the various districts. In those
instanceswhere the provisions of the Flood.Plain
Mangement Regulations, the mast restrictive standards
will be applied to development proposals.
. Eftective Date. Ordinance No. 283 shall become ef-
. tective on the day following the publieation of this Or-
dinaoce Summary.
. Adoption Date. Passed by the City.Council of the
City of Arden Hills-the 15th day of October, 1991. , /s/ Thomes.Selher
Mayor
ATTEST:
/s/ Gary R. Berger '
Administrator
(Bulletin: Oct. 23, 1391) - ,
~
i
WARREN E. PETERSON PETERSON, FRANKE & RIACH tREALPROPERTYLAWSPECIALIST
RONALD J. RIACH PROFFSSIONAL ASSOCIATION *ALSO ADMITTED IN WISCONSIN
JEROME P. FILLA 300 MIDWBST FEDERAL BUILDING $ALSO ADMITTED IN ILLINOIS,
DANIEL WITT FRAM
GLENN A. BERGMAN 50 EAST FIFTH STREET FLORIDA, WASHINGTON D.C.
ROSEVILLE OFFICE
JOHN MICHAEL MILLER ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA 55101-1197
GARY W. BECKER*#
TIMOTHY J. HASSETTt 200 ROSEDALE TOWERS
-
MICHAEL T. OBERLE (612) 291-8955 1700 WEST HIGHWAY 36
CLYDE C. AHLQUIST ROSEVILLE, MINNESOTA 55113
FAX NO. (612) 228-1753 (672) 636-6400
F'e1X N0. (632) 636-7334
May 13 , 1991 oF courrsEL
JEROME E. FRANKE
MELDIN J. SILVER
Ms. Cathy Iago
City of Arden Hills
1450 West Highway 96
Arden Hills, MN 55112 • ~
RE: Flood Plain Management Ordinance
Our File No.: 10450/900002
~
Cathy:
Enclosed is a draft of the Flood Plain Management Regulations.
The format is now the same as the current City Code. I would like
to have you and Dave review this Regulation. In particular I would
like you to review Article X and the various procedures for
hearings described in that Article. I think that this section
should be rewritten so that it is coordinated with the City's
current regulations for hearings on similar matters.
Very truly yours,
~
Jerom P.' illa
JPF:cab x
. ~
Enclosure ~
r~~{
cc: Dave Kriesel
Gary Berger
STATE OF MINNESOTA
COUNTY OF RAMSEY
CITY OF ARDEN HILLS
ORDINANCE N0. e,43
AN ORDINANCE ADDING CHAPTER 9.6 TO THE ARDEN HILLS
MUNICIPAL CODE AND REPEALING CHAPTER 9.5 RELATIVE
TO THE FLOOD PLAIN MANAGEMENT.
The Arden Hills City Council ordains that Chapter 9.6 and its
subdivisions are hereby added to the Arden Hills Municipal Code to
read as follows:
CHAPTER 9.6 - FLOOD PLAIN MANAGEMENT
ARTICLE I. STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION, FINDINGS OF FACT AND PURPOSE
Section 9.6-1. Statutory Authorization: This regulation is enacted
pursuant to the provisions of M.S. 103F and 462.357, which outlined
local government units to adopt regulations designed to minimize
flood losses.
Section 9.6-2. Findings of Fact:
(A) The flood hazard areas of the City of Arden Hills,
Minnesota, are subject to periodic inundation which
results in potential loss of life, loss of property,
health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and
governmental services, extraordinary public expenditures
or flood protection and relief, and impairment of the tax
base, all of which adversely affect the public health,
safety, and general welfare.
(B) Method Used to Analyze Flood Hazards. This Ordinance is
based upon a reasonable method of analyzing flood hazards
which is consistent with the standards estabZished by the
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Section 9.6-3. Statement of Purpose: It is the purpose of this
Ordinance to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare
and to minimize those losses described in Section 9.6-2(A) by
provisions contained herein.
ARTICLE II. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 9.6-4. Lands to Which Ordinance Applies: This Ordinance
shall apply to all lands within the City of Arden Hills as shown on
the Official Zoning Map and/or the attachments thereto as being
located within the boundaries of the Floodway, Flood Fringe, or
General Flood Plain Districts.
1
Section 9.6-5. Establishment of Official Zoning Map: The Official
Zoning Map together with all materials attached thereto is hereby
adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this Ordinance.
The attached material shall include the Flood Insurance Study for
the City of Arden Hills prepared by the Federal Insurance
~ Administration dated , and the Flood Boundary and
Floodway Map and Flood Insurance Rate Map dated
therein. The Official Zoning Map is on file in the Office of the
City Administrator.
Section 9.6-6. Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation: The
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation shall be an elevation no lower
than one foot above the elevation of the regional flood plus any
increases in flood elevation caused by encroachments on the flood
plain that result from designation of a floodway.
Section 9.6-7. Interpretation:
(A) In their interpretation and application, the provisions of
this Ordinance shall be held to be minimum requirements
and shall be liberally construed in favor of the Governing
Body and shall not be deemed a limitation or repeal of any
other powers granted by State Statutes.
(B) The boundaries of the zoning districts shall be determined
by scaling distances on the Official Zoning Map. Where
interpretation is needed as to the exact location of the
boundaries of the district as shown on the Official Zoning
Map, as for example where there appears to be a conflict
between a mapped boundary and actual field conditions and
there is a formal appeal of the decision of the Zoning
Administrator, the Board of Adjustment shall make the
necessary interpretation. All decisions will be based on
elevations on the regional (100-year) flood profile and
other available technical data. Person contesting the
location of the district boundaries shall be given a
reasonable opportunity to present their case to the Board
and to submit technical evidence.
Section 9.6-8. Abrogation and Greater Restrictions: It is not
intended by this Ordinance to repeal, abrogate, or impair any
existing easements, covenants, or deed restrictions. However, where
this Ordinance imposes greater restrictions, the provisions of this
Ordinance shall prevail. All other City Regulations inconsistent
with this Ordinance are hereby suspended to the extent of the
inconsistency only.
Section 9.6-9. Warning and Disclaimer of Liability: This Ordinance
does not imply that areas outside the flood plain districts or land
uses permitted within such districts will be free from flooding or
flood damages. This Ordinance shall not create liability on the
part of the City of Arden HilZs or ang officer or employee thereof
for any flood damages that result from reliance on this Ordinance or
any administrative decision lawfully made thereunder.
2
Section 9.6-10. Severability: If any section, clause, provision,
or portion of this Ordinance is adjudged unconstitutional or invalid
by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this
Ordinance shall not be affected therebyo
Section 9.6-11. Definitions: Unless specifically defined below,
words or phrases used in this Ordinance shall be interpreted so as
to give them the same meaning as they have in common usage and so as
to give this Ordinance its most reasonable application.
(1) Accessory Use or Structure. A use or structure on the
same lot with, and of a nature customarily incidental and
subordinate to, the principal use or structure.
(2) Basement. Any area of a structure, including crawl
spaces, having its floor or base subgrade (below ground
level) on all four sides, regardless of the depth of
excavation below ground level.
(3) Conditional Use. A specific type of structure or land use
listed in the official control that may be allowed but
only after an in-depth review procedure and with
appropriate conditions or restrictions as provided in the
official zoning controls or building codes and upon a
finding that: (1) certain conditions as detailed in the
zoning ordinance exist and (2) the structure an/or land
use conform to the comprehensive land use plan if one
exists and are compatible with the existing neighborhood.
(4) Equal Degree of Encroachment. A method of determining the
location of floodway boundaries so the flood plain lands
on both sides of a stream are capable of conveying a
proportionate share of flood flows.
(5) Flood. A temporary increase in the flow or stage of a
stream or in the stage of a wetland or lake that results
in the inundation of normally dry areas.
(6) Flood Frequencye The frequency for which it is expected
that a specific flood stage or discharge may be equalled
or exceeded.
(7) Flood Fringe. That portion of the flood plain outside of
the floodway. Flood fringe is synonymous with the term
"floodway fringe" used in the Flood Insurance Study for
the City of Arden Hills.
(8) Flood Plain. The beds proper and the areas adjoining a
wetland, lake or watercourse which have been or hereafter
may be covered by the regional flood.
3
(9) Flood-Proofin . A combination of structural provisions,
changes, or adjustments to properties and structures
subject to flooding, primarily for the reduction or
elimination of flood damages.
(10) Floodway. The bed of a wetland or lake and the channel of
a watercourse and those portions of the adjoining flood
plain which are reasonably required to carry or store the
regional flood discharge.
(11) Obstruction. Any dam, wall, wharf, embankment, levee,
dike, pile, abutment, projection, excavation, channel,
modification, culvert, building, wire, fence, stockpile,
refuse, fill, structure, or matter in, along, across, or
projecting into any channel, watercourse, or regulatory
flood plain which may impede, retard, or change the
direction of the flow of water, either in itself or by
catching or collecting debris carried by such water.
(12) Principal Use or Structure. All uses or structures that
are not accessory uses or structures.
(13) Reach. A hydraulic engineering term to describe a
longitudinal segment of a stream or river influenced by a
natural or man-made obstruction. In an urban area, the
segment of a stream or river between two consecutive
bridge crossings would most typically constitute a reach.
(14) Regional Flood. A flood which is representative of large
floods known to have occurred generally in Minnesota and
reasonably characteristic of what can be expected to occur
on an average frequency in the magnitude of the 100-year
recurrence interval. Regional flood is synonymous with
the term "base flood" used in the Flood Insurance Study.
(15) Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation. The Regulatory
Flood Protection Elevation shall be an elevation no lower
than one foot above the elevation of the regional flood
plus any increases in flood elevation caused by
encroachment on the flood plain that result from
designation of a floodway.
(16) Structure. Anything constructed or erected on the ground
or attached to the ground or on-site utilities, including,
but not limited to, buildings, factories, sheds, detached
garages, cabins, manufactured homes, travel
trailers/vehicles not meeting the exemption criteria
specified in Section 9.6-34(A) of the Ordinance and other
similar items.
4
(17) Variance. A modification of a specific permitted
development standard required in an official control
including this Ordinance to allow an alternative
development standard not stated as acceptable in the
official control, but only as applied to a particular
property for the purpose of alleviating a hardship,
practical difficulty or unique circumstance as defined and
elaborated upon in a community's respective planning and
zoning enabling legislation.
ARTICLE III. ESTABLISHMENT OF ZONTNG DISTRICTS
Section 9.6-12. Districts:
(A) Floodway District. The Floodway District shall include
those areas designated as floodway on the Flood Boundary
and Floodway Map adopted in Section 9.6-5.
(B) Flood Frin e District. The Flood Fringe District shall
include those areas designated as floodway fringe on the
Flood Boundary and Floodway Map adopted in Section 9.6-5.
(C) General Flood Plain District. The General Flood Plain
District shall include those areas designated as
unnumbered A Zones on the Flood Insurance Rate Map adopted
in Section 9.6-5.
Section 9.6-13. Compliance: No new structure or land shall
hereafter be used and no structure shall be located, extended,
converted, or structurally altered without full compliance with the
terms of this Ordinance and other applicable regulations which apply
to uses within the jurisdiction of this Ordinance. Within the
Floodway, Flood Fringe and General Flood Plain Districts, all uses
not listed as permitted uses or conditional uses in Articles IV, V,
and VI that follow, respectively, shall be prohibited. In addition,
a caution is provided here that:
(A) New manufactured homes, replacement manufactured homes and
certain travel trailers and travel vehicles are subject to
the general provisions of this Ordinance and specifically
Article IX;
(B) Modifications, additions, structural alterations or repair
after damage to existing nonconforming structures and
nonconforming uses of structures or land are regulated by
the general provisions of this Ordinance and specifically
Article XI; and
(C) As-built elevations for elevated or flood proofed
structures must be certified by ground surveys and flood
proofing techniques must be designed and certified by a
registered professional engineer or architect as specified
in the general provisions of this Ordinance and
specifically as stated in Article X of the Ordinance.
5
ARTICLE IV. FLOODWAY DISTRICT
Section 9.6-14. Permitted Uses:
(A) General farming, pasture, grazing, outdoor plant
nurseries, horticulture, truck farming, forestry, sod
farming, and wild crop harvesting.
(B) Industrial-commercial loading areas, parking areas, and
airport landing strips.
(C) Private and public golf courses, tennis courts, driving
ranges, archery ranges, picnic grounds, boat launching
ramps, swimming areas, parks, wildlife and nature
preserves, game farms, fish hatcheries, shooting
preserves, target ranges, trap and skeet ranges, hunting
and fishing areas, and single or multiple purpose
recreational trails.
(D) Residential lawns, gardens, parking areas, and play areas.
Section 9.6-15. Standards for Floodway Permitted Uses:
(A) The use shall have a low flood damage potential.
(B) The use shall be permissible in the underlying zoning
district if one exists.
(C) The use shall not obstruct flood flows or increase flood
elevations and shall not involve structures, fill,
obstructions, excavations or storage of material or
equipment.
~~~`~~'.~:f" Section 9.6-16. Conditional Uses:
. (A) Structures accessory to the uses listed in 9.6-14 above
and the uses listed in 9.6-16(B) through 9.6-16(H) below.
(B) Extraction and storage of sand, graveZ, and other
materials.
(C) Marinas, boat rentals, docks, piers, wharves, and water
control structures.
(D) Railroads, streets, bridges, utility transmission lines,
and pipelines.
(E) Storage yards for equipment, machinery or materials.
(F) Placement of fill.
6
(G) Travel trailers and travel vehicles either on individual
lots of record or in existing or new subdivisions or
commercial or condominium type campgrounds, subject to the
exemptions and provisions of Section 9.6-34 of this
Ordinance.
(H) Structural works for flood control such as levees, dikes
and floodwalls constructed to any height where the intent
is to protect individual structures and levees or dikes
where the intent is to protect agricultural crops for a
frequency flood event equal to or less than the 100-year
frequency flood event.
Section 9.6-17. Standards for Floodway Conditional Uses:
(A) Al1 Uses. No structure (temporary or permanent), fill
(including fill for roads and levees), deposit,
obstruction, storage of materials or equipment, or other
uses may be allowed as a Conditional Use that will cause
any increase in the stage of the 100-year or regional
flood or cause an increase in flood damages in the reach
or reaches affected.
a_--(B) All floodway Conditional Uses shall be subject to the
~ procedures and standards contained in Section 9.6-38 of
this Ordinance.
(C) The Conditional Use shall be permissible in the underlying
` zoning district if one exists.
,`i,~'. f ` 'F •
" ~(D) Fill :
(1) Fill, dredge spoil and all other similar materials
deposited or stored in the flood plain shall be
protected from erosion by vegetative cover,
mulching, riprap or other acceptable method.
(2) Dredge spoil sites and sand and gravel operations
shall not be allowed in the floodway unless a long-
term site development plan is submitted which
includes an erosion/sedimentation prevention element
to the plan.
(3) As an alternative, and consistent with Subsection
(2) immediately above, dredge spoil disposal and
sand and gravel operations may allow temporary, on-
site storage of fill or other materials which would
have caused an increase to the stage of the 100-year
or regional flood but only after the Governing Body
has received an appropriate plan which assures the
removal of the materials from the floodway based
upon the flood warning time available. The
Conditional Use Permit must be title registered with
the property in the Office of the County Recorder.
7
(E) Accessory Structures:
(1) Accessory structures shall not be designed for human
habitation.
(2) Accessory structures, if permitted, shall be
constructed and placed on the building site so as to
offer the minimum obstruction to the flow of flood
waters.
(a) Whenever possible, structures shall be
constructed with the longitudinal axis parallel
to the direction of flood flow; and
(b) So far as practicable, structures shall be
placed approximately on the same flood flow
lines as those of adjoining structures.
(3) Accessory structures shall be elevated or fill or
structurally dry flood proofed in accordance with
the FP-1 or FP-2 fZood proofing classifications in
the State Building Code. As an alternative, an
accessory structure may be flood proofed to the FP-3
or FP-4 flood proofing classification in the State
Building Code provided the accessory structure
constitutes a minimal investment, does not exceed
500 square feet in size, and for a detached garage,
the detached garage must be used solely for parking
of vehicles and limited storage. All flood proofed
accessory structures must meet the following
additional standards, as appropriate:
(a) The structure must be adequately anchored to
prevent flotation, collapse or lateral movement
of the structure and shall be designed to
equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior
walls; and
(b) Any mechanical and utility equipment in a
structure must be elevated to or above the
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation or
properly flood proofed.
(F) Storage of Materials and Equipment:
(1) The storage or processing of materials that are, in
time of flooding, flammable, explosive, or
potentially injurious to human, animal, or plant
life is prohibited.
8
(2) Storage of other materials or equipment may be
allowed if readily removable from the area within
the time available after a flood warning and in
accordance with a plan approved by the Governing
Body.
(G) Structural works for flood control that will change the
course, current or cross section of protected wetlands or
public waters shall be subject to the provisions of
Minnesota Statute, Chapter 103G. Community-wide
structural works for flood control intended to remove
areas from the regulatory flood plain shall not be allowed
in the floodway.
(H) A levee, dike or floodwall constructed in the floodway
shall not cause an increase to the 100-year or regional
flood and the technical analysis must assume equal
conveyance or storage loss on both sides of a stream.
ARTICLE V. FLOOD FRINGE DISTRICT
Section 9.6-18. Permitted Uses: Permitted Uses shall be those uses
of land or structures listed as Permitted Uses in the underlying
zoning use district(s). If no pre-existing, underlying zoning use
districts exist, then any residential or non-residential structure
or use of a structure or land shall be a Permitted Use in the Flood
Fringe provided such use does not constitute a public nuisance. All
Permitted Uses shall comply with the standards for Flood Fringe
"Permitted Uses" listed in Section 9.6-19 and the "Standards for all
Flood Fringe Uses" listed in Section 9.6-22.
Section 9.6-19. Standards for Flood Fringe Permitted Uses:
(A) All structures, including accessory structures, must be
elevated on fill so that the lowest floor including
basement floor is at or above the Regulatory Fload
Protection Elevation. The finished fill elevation for
structures shall be no lower than one (1) foot below the
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation and the fill shall
extend at such elevation at least fifteen (15) feet beyond
the outside limits of the structure erected thereon.
(B) As an alternative to elevation on fill, accessory
structures that constitute a minimal investment and that
do not exceed 500 square feet for the outside dimension at
ground level may be internally flood proofed in accordance
with Section 9.6-17(E)(3).
(C) The cumul.ative placement of fill where at any one time in
excess of one-thousand (1,000) cubic yards of fill is
located on the parcel shall be allowable only as a Condi-
tional Use, unless said fill is specifically intended to
elevate a structure in accordance with Section 9.6-19(A)
of this Ordinance.
9
(D) The storage of any materials or equipment shall be
elevated on fill to the Regulatory Flood Protection
Elevation.
(E) The provisions of Section 9.6-22 of this Ordinance shall
apply.
E
Section 9.6-20. Conditional Uses: Any structure that is not
elevated on fill or flood proofed in accordance with Section
9.6-19(A) and (B) or any use of land that does not comply with the
standards in Section 9.6-19(C) and (D) shall only be allowable as a
Conditional Use. An application for a Conditional Use shall be
subject to the standards and criteria and evaluation procedures
specified in Sections 9.6-21, 9.6-22, and 9.6-38 of this Ordinance.
Section 9.6-21. Standards for FZood Fringe Conditional Uses:
~ ~
(A) Alternative elevation methods other than the use of fill
~
may be utilized to elevate a structure's lowest floor
above the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation. These
alternative methods may include the use of stilts,
pilings, parallel walls, etc., or above-grade, enclosed
areas such as crawl spaces or tuck under garages. The
base or floor of an enclosed area shall be considered
above-grade and not a structure's basement or lowest floor
if :
(1) The enclosed area is above-grade on at least one
side of the structure;
(2) It is designed to internally flood and is con-
structed with flood resistant materials; and
(3) It is used solely for parking of vehicles, building
access or storage.
(B) The above-noted alternative elevation methods are subject
to the following additional standards:
(1) Design and Certification. The structure's design
and as-built condition must be certified by a
registered professional engineer or architect as
being in compliance with the general design stan-
dards of the State Building Code and, specifically,
that all electricaZ, heating, ventilation, plumbing
and air conditioning equipment and other service
facilities must be at or above the Regulatory Flood
Protection Elevation or be designed to prevent flood
water from entering or accumulating within these
components during times of flooding.
10
(2) Specific Standards for Above-Grade, Enclosed Areas.
Above-grade, fully enclosed areas such as crawl
spaces or tuck under garages must be designed to
internally flood and the design plans must
stipulate:
(a) The minimum area of openings in the walls where
internal flooding is to be used as a flood
proofing technique. When openings are placed
in a structure's walls to provide for entry of
flood waters to equalize pressures, the bottom
of all openings shall be no higher than one-
foot above gradee Openings may be equipped
with screens, louvers, valves, or other
coverings or devices provided that they permit
the automatic entry and exit of flood waters.
(b) That the enclosed area will be designed of
flood resistant materials in accordance with
the FP-3 or FP-4 classifications in the State
Building Code and shall be used solely for
building access, parking of vehicles or
storage.
(C) Basements, as defined by Section 9.6-11(2) of this
Ordinance, shall be subject to the following:
(1) Residential basement construction shall not be
allowed below the Regulatory Flood Protection
Elevation.
(2) Non-residential basements may be allowed below the
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation provided the
basement is structurally dry flood proofed in
accordance with Section 9.6-21(D) of this Ordinance.
(D) All areas of non-residential structures including
basements to be placed below the Regulatory Flood
Protection Elevation shall be flood proofed in accordance
with the structurally dry flood proofing classifications
in the State Building Code. Structurally dry flood
proofing must meet the FP-1 or FP-2 flood proofing
classification in the State Building Code and this shall
require making the structure watertight with the walls
substantially impermeable to the passage of water and with
structural components having the capability of resisting
hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and the effects of
buoyancy. Structures flood proofed to the FP-3 and FP-4
classification shall not be permitted.
11
(E) When at any one time more than 1,000 cubic yards of fill
or other similar material is located on a parcel for such
activities as on-site storage, landscaping, sand and
gravel operations, landfills, roads, dredge spoil disposal
or construction of flood control works, an erosion/sedi-
mentation control plan must be submitted unless the
community is enforcing a state approved shoreland manage-
ment ordinance. In the absence of a state approved
shoreland ordinance, the plan must clearly specify methods
to be used to stabilize the fill on site for a flood event
at a minimum of the 100-year or regional flood event. The
plan must be prepared and certified by a registered pro-
fessional engineer or other qualified individual accept-
able to the Governing Body. The plan may incorporate
alternative procedures for removal of the material from
the flood plain if adequate flood warning time exists.
(F) Storage of Materials and Equipment:
(1) The storage or processing of materials that are, in
time of flooding, flammable, explosive, or poten-
tially injurious to human, animal, or plant life is
prohibited.
(2) Storage of other materials or equipment may be
allowed if readily removable from the area within
the time available after a flood warning and in
accordance with a plan approved by the Governing
Body.
(G) The provisions of Section 9.6-22 of this Ordinance shall
also apply.
Section 9.6-22. Standards for All Flood Fringe Uses:
(A) All new principal structures must have vehicular access at
or above an elevation not more than two (2) feet below the
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation. If a variance to
this requirement is granted, the Board of Adjustment must
specify limitations on the period of use or occupancy of
the structure for times of flooding and only after
determining that adequate flood warning time and local
flood emergency response procedures exist.
(B) Commercial Uses. Accessory land uses, such as yards,
railroad tracks, and parking lots may be at elevations
lower than the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation.
However, a permit for such facilities to be used by the
employees or the general public shall not be granted in
the absence of a flood warning system that provides
adequate time for evacuation if the area would be
inundated to a depth greater than two (2) feet or be
subj ect to flood velocities greater that four (4) feet per
second upon occurrence of the regional flood.
12
(C) Manufacturing and Industrial Uses: Measures shall be
taken to minimize interference with normal plant
operations especially along streams having protracted
flood durations. Certain accessory land uses such as
yards and parking lots may be at lower elevations subject
to requirements set out in Section 9.6-22(B) above. In
considering permit applications, due consideration shall
be given to needs of an industry whose business requires
that it be located in flood plain areas.
(D) Fill shall be properly compacted and the slopes shall be
properly protected by the use of riprap, vegetative cover
or other acceptable method. The Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) has established criteria for
removing the special flood hazard area designation for
certain structures properly elevated on fill above the
100-year flood elevation - FEMA's requirements incorporate
specific fill compaction and side slope protection
standards for multi-structure or multi-lot developments.
These standards should be investigated prior to the
initiation of site preparation if a change of special
flood hazard area designation will be requested.
(E) Flood plain developments shall not adversely affect the
hydraulic capacity of the channel and adjoining flood
plain of any tributary watercourse or drainage system
where a floodway or other encroachment limit has not been
specified on the Official Zoning Map.
(F) Standards for travel trailers and travel vehicles are
contained in section 9.6-34.
(G) All manufactured homes must be securely anchored to an
adequately anchored foundation system that resists
flotation, collapse and lateral movement. Methods of
anchoring may include, but are not to be limited to, use
of over-the-top or frame ties to ground anchors. This
requirement is in addition to applicable state of local
anchoring requirements for resisting wind forces.
ARTICLE VI. GENERAL FLOOD PLAIN DISTRICT
Section 9.6-23. Permissible Uses:
(A) The uses listed in Section 9.6-14 of this Ordinance shall
be permitted uses.
(B) All other uses shall be subject to the floodway/flood
fringe evaluation criteria pursuant to Section 9.6-24
below. Article IV shall apply if the proposed use is in
the Floodway District and Article V shall apply if the
proposed use is in the Flood Fringe District.
13
Section 9.6-24. Procedures for Floodway and Flood Fringe Determina-
tions Within the General Flood Plain District.
(A) Upon receipt of an application for a Conditional Use
Permit for a use within the General Flood Plain District,
the applicant shall be required to furnish such of the
following information as is deemed necessary by the Zoning
Administrator for the determination of the Regulatory
Flood Protection Elevation and whether the proposed use is
within the Floodway or Flood Fringe District.
(1) A typicaZ valley cross-section showing the channel
of the stream, elevation of land areas adjoining
each side of the channel, cross-sectional areas to
be occupied by the proposed development, and high
water information.
(2) Plan (surface view) showing elevations or contours
of the ground; pertinent structure, fill, or storage
elevations; size, location, and spatial arrangement
of all proposed and existing structures on the site;
location and proposed and existing structures on the
site; location and elevations of streets; photo-
graphs showing existing land uses and vegetation
upstream and downstream; and soil type.
(3) Profile showing the slope of the bottom of the
channel or flow line of the stream for at least 500
feet in either direction from the proposed develop-
ment.
(B) The applicant shall be responsible to submit one copy of
the above information to a designated engineer or other
expert person or agency for technical assistance in
determining whether the proposed use is in the Floodway or
Flood Fringe District and to determine the Regulatory
Flood Protection Elevation. Procedures consistent with
Minnesota Regulations 1983, Parts 6120.5000 - 6120.6200
shall be followed in this expert evaluation. The
designated engineer or expert is strongly encouraged to
discuss the proposed technical evaluation methodology with
the respective Department of Natural Resources' Area
Hydrologist prior to commencing the analysis. The
designated engineer or expert shall:
(1) Estimate the peak discharge of the regional flood.
14
(2) Calculate the water surface profile of the regional
flood based upon a hydraulic analysis of the stream
channel and overbank areas.
(3) Compute the floodway necessary to convey or store
the regional flood without increasing flood stages
more than 0.5 foot. A lesser stage increase than
0.5 foot shall be required if, as a result of the
additional state increase, increased flood damages
would result. An equal degree of encroachment on
both sides of the stream within the reach shall be
assumed in computing floodway boundaries.
a , a~.F
C) The Zeft±TrT "Administrator shal l present the technical
evaluation and findings of the designated engineer or
! expert to the Governing Body. The Governing Body must
formally accept the technical evaluation and the
recommended Floodway and/or Flood Fringe District boundary
or deny the permit application. The Governing Body, prior
to official action, may submit the application and all
supporting data and analyses to the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, the Department of Natural Resources or
the Planning Commission for review and comment. Once the
Floodway and Flood Fringe Boundaries have been determined,
the Governing Body shall refer the matter back to the
A~-Zanjr_xg~ Administrator who shall process the permit
application consistent with the applicable provisions of
Article IV and V of this Ordinance.
ARTICLE VII. SUBDIVISIONS
Section 9.6-25. Review Criteria: No land shall be subdivided which
is unsuitable for the reason of flooding, inadequate drainage, water
supply or sewage treatment facilities. Al1 lots within the flood
plain districts shall contain a building site at or above the
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation. All subdivisions shall have
water and sewage treatment facilities that comply with the
provisions of this Ordinance and have road access both to the
subdivision and to the individual building sites no lower than two
(2) feet below the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation. For all
subdivisions in the flood plain, the Floodway and Flood Fringe
boundaries, the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation and the
required elevation of all access roads shall be clearly labelled on
all required subdivisions drawings and platting documents.
Section 9.6-26. Floodway/Flood Fringe Determinations in the General
Flood Plain District: In the General Flood Plain District appli-
cants shall provide the information required in Section 9.6-24 of
this Ordinance to determine the 100-year flood elevation, the
Floodway and Flood Fringe District boundaries and the Regulatory
Flood Protection Elevation for the subdivision site.
15
Section 9.6-27. Removal of Special Flood Hazard Area Designation:
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has established
criteria for removing the special flood hazard area designation for
certain structures properly elevated on fill above the 100-year
flood elevation. FEMA's requirements incorporate specific fill
compaction and side slope protection standards for multi-structure
or multi-lot developments. These standards should be investigated
prior to the initiation of site preparation if a change of special
flood hazard area designation will be requested.
ARTICLE VIII. PUBLIC UTILITIES, RAILROADS, ROADS, AND BRIDGES
Section 9.6-28. Public Utilities. All public utilities and
facilities such as gas, electrical, sewer, and water supply systems
to be located in the flood plain shall be flood proofed in
accordance with the State Building Code or elevated to above the
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation.
Section 9.6-29. Public Transportation Facilities. Railroad tracks,
roads, and bridges to be located within the flood plain shall comply
with Article IV and V of this Ordinance. Elevation to the
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation shall be provided where
failure or interruption of the transportation facilities would
result in danger to the public health or safety or where such
facilities are essential to the orderly functioning of the area.
Minor or auxiliary roads or railroads may be constructed at a lower
elevation where failure or interruption af transportation services
would not endanger the public health or safety.
Section 9.6-30. On-Site Sewage Treatment and Water Supply Systems.
Where public utilities are not provided:
(A) On-site water supply systems must be designed to minimize
or eliminate infiltration of flood waters in the systems;
and
(B) New or replacement on-site sewage treatment systems must
be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood
waters into the systems and discharges from the systems
into flood waters and they shall not be subject to
impairment of contamination during times of flooding.
Any sewage treatment system designed in accordance with the State's
current statewide standards for on-site sewage treatment systems
shall be determined to be in compliance with this Section.
ARTICLE IX. MANUFACTURED HOMES AND MANUFACTURED HOME PARKS AND
PLACEMENT OF TRAVEL TRAILERS AND TRAVEL VEHICLES.
Section 9.6-31. New manufac-tured home parks and expansions to
existing manufactured home parks shall be subject to the provisions
placed on subdivisions by Article VII of this Ordinance.
16
Section 9.6-32. The placement of new or replacement manufactured
homes in existing manufactured home parks or on individual lots of
record that are located in flood plain districts will be treated as
a new structure and cnay be placed only if elevated in compliance
with Article V of this Ordinance. If vehicular road access for pre-
existing manufactured home parks is not provided in accordance with
Section 9.6-22(A), then replacement manufactured homes will not be
allowed until the property owner(s) develops a flood warning
emergency plan acceptable to the Governing Body.
Section 9.6-33. All manufactured homes must be securely anchored to
an adequately anchored foundation system that resists flotation,
collapse and lateral movement. Methods of anchoring may include,
but are not to be limited to, use of over-the-top or frame ties to
ground anchors. This requirement is in addition to applicable state
or local anchoring requirements for resisting wind forces.
Section 9.6-34. Travel trailers and travel vehicles that do not
meet the exemption criteria specified in Section 9-6.34(A) below
shall be subject to the provisions of this Ordinance and as
specifically spelled out in Sections 9.6-34(C) and (D) below.
(A) Exemption. Travel trailers and travel vehicles are exempt
from the provisions of this Ordinance if they are placed
in any of the areas listed in Section 9.6-34(B) below and
further they meet the following criteria:
(1) Have current licenses required for higYxway use.
(2) Are highway ready meaning on wheels or the internal
jacking system, are attached to the site only by
quick disconnect type utilities commonly used in
campgrounds and trailer parks and the travel
trailer/travel vehicle has no permanent structural
type additions attached to it.
(3) The travel trailer or travel vehicle and associated
use must be permissible in any pre-existing, under-
lying zoning use district.
(B) Areas Exempted For Placement of Travel/Recreational
Vehicles:
(1) Individual lots or parcels of record.
(2) Existing commercial recreationaZ vehicZe parks or
campgrounds.
(3) Existing condominium type associations.
17
(C) Travel trailers and travel vehicles exempted in Section
9.6-34(A) lose this exemption when development occurs on
the parcel exceeding $500.00 for a structural addition to
the travel trailer/travel vehicle or an accessory
structure such as a garage or storage building. The
travel trailer/travel vehicle and all additions and
accessory structures will then be treated as a new
structure and shall be subject to the elevation/flood
proofing requirements and the use of the land restrictions
specified in Articles IV and V of this Ordinance.
(D) New commercial travel trailer or travel vehicle parks or
campgrounds and new residential type subdivisions and
condominium associations and the expansion of any existing
similar use exceeding five (5) units or dwelling sites
shall be subject to the following:
(1) Any new or replacement travel trailer or travel
vehicle will be allowed in the Floodway or Flood
Fringe Districts provided said trailer or vehicle
and its contents are placed on fill above the
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation and proper
elevated road access to the site exists in accord-
ance with Section 9.6-22(A) of this Ordinance. No
fill placed in the floodway to meet the requirements
of this Section shall increase flood stages of the
100-year or regional flood.
(2) All new or replacement travel trailers or travel
vehicles not meeting the criteria of 9.6-34(D)(1)
above may, as an alternative, be allowed as a
Conditional Use if in accordance with the following
provisions and the provisions of 9.6-38 of this
Ordinance. The applicant must submit an emergency
plan for the safe evacuation of all vehicles and
people during the 100-year flood. Said plan shall
be prepared by a registered engineer or other
qualified individual and shall demonstrate that
adequate time and personnel exist to carry out the
evacuation. Al1 attendant sewage and water
facilities for new or replacement travel trailers or
other recreational vehicles must be protected or
constructed so as to not be impaired or contaminated
during times of flooding in accordance with Section
9.6-30 of this Ordinance.
ARTICLE X. ADMINISTRATION
Section 9.6-35. Z-e~ Administrator: A Zoning Administrator or
other official designated by the Governing Body shall administer and
enforce this Ordinance. If the lorrirng Administrator finds a viola-
tion of the provisions of this Ordinance the ~g Administrator
shall notify the person responsible for such violation in accordance
with the procedures stated in Article XII of this Ordinance.
18
Section 9.6-36. Permit Requirements:
(A) Permit Required. A Permit issued by the Sening Adminis-
trator in conformity with the provisions of this Ordinance
shall be secured prior to the erection, addition or
~ alteration of any building, structure, or portion thereof;
~M prior to the use or change of use of a building,
structure, or land; prior to the change or extension of a
non-conforming use; and prior to the placement of fill,
excavation of materials, or the storage of materials or
equipment within the flood plain.
(B) Application for Permit. Application for a Permit shall be
' made in duplicate to the ZQP-I~ng Administrator on forms
furnished by the Zoning Administrator and shall include
the following where applicable: plans in duplicate drawn
~ to scale, showing the nature, location, dimensions, and
elevations of the lot; existing or proposed structures,
fill, or storage of materials; and the location of the
foregoing in relation to the stream channel.
(C) State and Federal Permits. Prior to granting a Permit or
processing an application for a Conditional Use Permit or
Variance, the Zoning Administrator shall determine that
the applicant has obtained all necessary State and Federal
Permits.
(D) Certificate of Zoning Compliance for a New, Altered, or
Non-Conforming Use. It shall be unlawful to use, occupy,
or permit the use or occupancy of any building or premises
or part thereof hereafter created, erected, changed,
converted, altered, or enlarged in its use or structure
until a Certificate of Zoning Compliance shall have been
issued by the Zoning Administrator stating that the use of
the building or land conforms to the requirements of this
Ordinance.
(E) Construction and Use to be as Provided on Applications,
Plans, Permits, Variances and Certificates of Zoning
Compliance. Permits, Use Permits, or
Certificates of Zoning Compliance issued on the basis of
approved plans and applications authorize only the use,
arrangement, and construction set forth in such approved
plans and applications, and no other use, arrangement, or
construction. Any use, arrangement, or construction at
variance with that authorized shall be deemed a violation
of this Ordinance, and punishable as provided by Article
XII of this Ordinance.
(F) Certification. The applicant shall be required to submit
certification by a registered professional engineer,
registered architect, or registered land surveyor that the
finished fill and building elevations were accomplished in
compliance with the provisions of this Ordinance. Flood
19
proofing measures shall be certified by a registered
~ professional engineer or registered architect.
~ (G) Record of First Floor Elevation. The Zon°iLng Adminis:t.rator.
shall maintain a record of the elevation of the lowest
floor (including basement) of al1 new structures and
alterations or additions to existin structures in the
flood plain. The~i~-rrrg`°Admirsi~st~~`r~shall also maintain
a record of the elevation to which structures or
alterations and additions to structures are flood proofed.
Section 9.6-37. Board of Adjustment:
(A) Rules. The Board of Adjustment shall adopt rules for the
conduct of business and may exercise all of the powers
conferred on such Boards by State law.
(B) Administrative Review. The Board shall hear and decide
appeals where it is alleged there is error in any order,
requirement, decision, or determination made by an
administrative official in the enforcement or
administration of this Ordinance.
(C) Variances. The Board may authorize upon appeal in
specific cases such relief or variance from the terms of
this Ordinance as will not be contrary to the public
interest and only for those circumstances such as
hardship, practical difficulties or circumstances unique
to the property under consideration, as provided for in
the respective enabling legislation for planning and
zoning for cities or counties as appropriate. In the
granting of such variance, the Board of Adjustment shall
clearly identify in writing the specific conditions that
existed consistent with the criteria specified in the
respective enabling legislation which justified the
granting of the variance. No Variance shall have the
effect of allowing in any district uses prohibited in that
district, permit a lower degree of flood protection than
the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation for the
particular area, or permit standards lower than those
required by State law.
(D) Hearings. Upon filing with the Board of Adjustment of an
appeal from a decision of the Zoning Administrator, or an
application for a variance, the Board shall fix a
reasonable time for a hearing and give due notice to the
parties in interest as specified by law. The Board shall
submit by mail to the Commissioner of Natural Resources a
copy of the application for proposed Variances
sufficiently in advance so that the Commissioner will
receive at least ten (10) days notice of the hearing.
20
(E) Decisions. The Board shall arrive at a decision on such
appeal or Variance within thirty (30) days. In passing
upon an appea2, the Board may, so long as such action is
in conformity with the provisions of this Ordinance,
reverse or affirm, wholly or in part, or modify the order,
requirement, decision or determination of the Zoning
Administrator or other public official. It shall make its
decision in writing setting forth the findings of fact and
the reasons for its decisions. In granting a Variance the
Board may prescribe appropriate conditions and safeguards
such as those specified in Section 9.6-38(F), which are
in conformity with the purposes of this Ordinance.
Violations of such conditions and safeguards, when made a
part of the terms under which the Variance is granted,
shall be deemed a violation of this Ordinance punishable
under Article XII. A copy of all decisions granting
Variances shall be forwarded by mail to the Commissioner
of Natural Resources within ten (10) days of such action.
(F) Appeals. Appeals from any decision of the Board may be
made, and as specified in this Community's Official
Controls and also Minnesota Statutes.
(G) Flood Insurance Notice. The Zoning Administrator shall
notify the applicant for a variance that:
(1) The issuance of a variance to construct a structure
below the base flood level will result in increased
premium rates for flood insurance up to amounts as
high as $25.00 for $100.00 of insurance coverage;
and
(2) Such construction below the 100-year or regional
flood level increases risks to life and property.
Such notification shall be maintained with a record
of all variance actions.
(H) Record Keeping. A community shall maintain a record of
all variance actions, including justification for their
issuance, and report such variances issued in its annual
or biennial report submitted to the Administrator of the
National Flood Insurance Program.
Section 9.6-38. Uses. The City Council shall hear and
decide applications for 1 Uses permissible under this
Ordinance. Applications shall be submitted to the--Zon-tng_-Adminis-
~ ~ trator who shall forward the application the City Council for
consideration.
..21
(A) Hearings. Upon filing with the City Council an applica-
tion for a CopAll-tirmat Use Permit, the City Council shall
submit by mail to the Commissioner of Natural Resources a
copy of the application for proposed Conditional Use
sufficiently in advance so that the Commissioner will
receive at least ten (10) days notice of the hearing.
(B) Decisions. The City Council shall arrive at a decision on
a Use within thirty (30) days. In granting a
Use Permit the City Council shall prescribe
appropriate conditions and safeguards, in addition to
those specified in Section 9.6-38(F), which are in con-
formity with the purposes of this Ordinance. Violations
of such conditions and safeguards, when made a part of the
terms under which the Conditional Use Permit is granted,
shall be deemed a violation of this Ordinance punishable
under Article XII. A copy of all decisions granting
Conditional Use Permits shall be forwarded by mail to the
Commissioner of Natural Resources within ten (10) days of
such action.
(C) Procedures to be followed by the City Council in Passing
on Ge4ad-it-ierral- Use Permit Applications Within all Flood
Plain Districts.
(1) The applicant shall furnish such of the following
information and additional information as deemed
necessary by the City Council for determining the
suitability of the particular site for the propose
use:
(a) Plans in triplicate drawn to scale showing the
nature, location, dimensions, and elevation of
the lot, existing or proposed structures, fill,
storage of materials, flood proofing measures,
and the relationship of the above to the
location of the stream channel.
(b) Specifications for building construction and
materials, flood proofing, filling, dredging,
grading, channel improvement, storage of
materials, water supply and sanitary
facilities.
(2) The City Council shall transmit one copy of the
information described in subsection 9.6-38(C)(1)
above to a designated engineer or other expert
person or agency for technical assistance, where
necessary, in evaluating the proposed project in
relation to flood heights and velocities, the
seriousness of flood damage to the use, the adequacy
of the plans for protection, and other technical
matters.
22
(3) Based upon the technical evaluation of the
designated engineer or expert, the City Council
shall determine the specific flood hazard at the
site and evaluate the suitability of the proposed
use in relation to the flood hazard.
(D) Factors Upon Which the Decision of the City Council Shall
be Based. In passing upon Conditional Use applications,
the City Council shall consider all relevant factors
specified in other sections of this Ordinance, and:
(1) The danger to life and property due to increased
flood heights or velocities caused by encroachments.
(2) The danger that materials may be swept onto other
lands or downstream to the injury of others or they
may block bridges, culverts or other hydraulic
structures.
(3) The proposed water supply and sanitation systems and
the ability of these systems to prevent disease,
contamination, and unsanitary conditions.
(4) The susceptibility of the proposed facility and its
contents to flood damage and the effect of such
damage on the individual owner.
(5) The importance of the services provided by the
proposed facility to the community.
(6) The requirements of the facility for a waterfront
location.
(7) The availability of alternative locations not
subject to flooding for the proposed use.
(8) The compatibility of the proposed use with existing
deveZopment and development anticipated in the
foreseeable future.
(9) The relationship of the proposed use to the
comprehensive plan and flood plain management
program for the area.
(10) The safety of access to the property in times of
flood for ordinary and emergency vehicles
(11) The expected heights, velocity, duration, rate of
rise, and sediment transport of the flood waters
expected at the site.
(12) Such other factors which are relevant to the
purposes of this Ordinance.
23
(E) Time for Acting on Application. The City Council shall
act on an application in the manner described above within
thirty (30) days from receiving a completed application,
except that where additional information is required
pursuant to 9.6-38(D) of this Ordinance. In which event
the City Council shall render a written decision within
thirty (30) days from the receipt of such additional
information.
(F) Conditions Attached to C4w*d-it-ierfa4 Use Permits. Upon
consideration of the factors listed above and the purpose
of this Ordinance, the City Council shall attach such
conditions to the granting of Conditional Use Permits as
it deems necessary to fulfill the purposes of this
Ordinance. Such conditions may include, but are not
limited to, the following:
(1) Modifications of waste treatment and water supply
facilities.
(2) Limitations on period of use, occupancy, and
operation.
(3) Imposition of operational controls, sureties, and
deed restrictions.
(4) Requirements for construction of channel modifica-
tions, compensatory storage, dikes, levees, and
other protective measures.
(5) Flood proofing measures, in accordance with the
State Building Code and this Ordinance. The
applicant shall submit a plan or document certified
by a registered professional engineer or architect
that the flood proofing measures are consistent with
the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation and
associated flood factors for the particular area.
ARTICLE XI. NON-CONFORMING USES
Section 9.6-39. A structure or the use of a structure or premises
which was lawful before the passage or amendment of this Ordinance
but which is not in conformity with the provisions of this Ordinance
may be continued subject to the following conditions:
(A) No such use shall be expanded, changed, enlarged, or
altered in a way which increases its nonconformity.
24
(B) Any alteration or addition to a nonconforming structure or
nonconforming use which would result in increasing the
flood damage potential of that structure or use shall be
protected to the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation in
accordance with any of the elevation on fill or flood
proofing techniques (i.e., FP-1 through FP-4 flood
proofing classifications) allowable in the State Building
Code, except as further restricted in 9.6-39(C) below.
(C) The cost of any structural alterations or additions to any
nonconforming structure over the life of the structure
shall not exceed 50 percent of the market value of the
structure unless the conditions of this Section are
satisfied. The cost of all structural alterations and
additions constructed since the adoption of the
Community's initiaZ flood plain controls must be
cal.culated into today's current cost which will include
all costs such as construction materials and a reasonable
cost placed on all manpower or labor. If the current cost
of all previous and proposed alterations and additions
exceeds 50 percent of the current market value of the
structure, then the structure must meet the standards of
Article IV or V of this Ordinance for new structures
depending upon whether the structure is in the Flaodway or
Flood Fringe, respectively.
(D) If any nonconforming use is discontinued for twelve (12)
consecutive months, any future use of the building
premises shall conform to this Ordinance. The assessor
shall notify the Zoning Administrator in writing of
instances of nanconforming uses which have been
discontinued for a period of twelve (12) months.
(E) In any nonconforming use ar structure is destroyed any
means, including floods, to an extent of 50 percent or
more of its market value at the time of destruction, it
shall not be reconstructed except in conforrnity with the
provisions of this Ordinance. The applicable provisions
for establishing new uses or new structures in Article IV,
V, or VI will apply depending upon whether the use or
structure is in the Floodway, Flood Fringe or General
Flood Plain District, respectively.
ARTICLE XII. PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION
Section 9.6-40. Violation of the provisions of this Ordinance or
failure to comply with any of its requirements (including vioZations
of conditions and safeguards established in connection with grants
of Variances or Conditional Uses) shall constitute a misdemeanor and
shall be punishable as defined by law.
25
Section 9.6-41. Nothing herein contained shall prevent the City of
Arden Hills from taking such other lawful action as is necessary to
prevent or remedy any violation. Such actions may include but are
not limited to:
(A) In responding to a suspected ordinance violation, the
ZQn4rrig Administrator and Local Government may utilize the
full array of enforcement actions available to it,
including but not limited to, prosecution and fines,
injunctions, after-the-fact permits, orders for corrective
measures or a request to the National Flood Insurance
Program for denial of flood insurance availability to the
guilty party. The community must act in good faith to
enforce these official controls and to correct ordinance
violations to the extent possible so as not to jeopardize
its eligibility in the National Flood Insurance Program.
(B) When an ordinance vioZation is either discovered by or
brought to the attention of the i5e+*i-ftg Administrator, the
*eTTITM Administrator sha11 immediately investigate the
violation of the official control. As soon as is
reasonably possible, this information will be submitted to
- the appropriate Department of Natural Resources' and
Federal Emergency Management Agency Regional Office along
with the Community's plan of action to correct the
violation to the degree possible.
-(C) The herVM4 Administrator shall notify the suspected party
I Iof the requirements of this Ordinance and all other
4,~
Official Controls and the nature and extent of the
suspected violation of these controls. If the structure
and/or use is under construction or development, the
Zoning Administrator may order the construction or
development immediately halted until a proper permit or
approval is granted by the Community. If the construction
or development is already completed, then the Zoning
Administrator may either :
(1) Issue an order identi.fying the corrective actions
that must be made within a specified time period to
bring the use of structure into compliance with the
official controls, or
(2) Notify the responsible party to apply for an after-
the-fact permit/development approval within a
specified period of time not the exceed thirty (30)
days.
26
(D) If the responsible party does not appropriately respond to
-ftg Administrator within the specified period of
the gerfi
time, each additional day that lapses shall constitute an
additional violation of this Ordinance and shall be
Prosecuted accordinJ1Y• The Zoning Administrator shall
~
also upon the lapse of the specified response period
notify the landowner to restore the land to the condition
which existed prior to the violation of this Ordinance.
ARTICLE XIIT. AMENDMENTS
Section 9.6-42. The flood plain designation of the Official Zoning
Map shall not be removed from flood plain areas unless it can be
shown that the designation is in error or that the area has been
filled to or above the elevation of the regional flood and is
contiguous to 3ands outside the flood plain. Special exceptions to
this rule may be permitted by the Commissioner of Natural Resources
if he determines that, through other measures, lands are adequately
protected for the intended use.
Section 9.6-43. Al1 amendments to this Ordinance, including
amendments to the Ofticial Zoning Map, must be submitted to and
approved by the Commissioner of Natural Resources prior to adoption.
Changes in the Official Zoning Map must meet the Federal Emergency
Management Agency's (FEMA) Technical Conditions and Criteria and
must receive prior FEMA approval before adoption. The Commissioner
of Natural Resources must be given ten (10) days written notice of
all hearings to consider an amendment to this Ordinance and said
notice shall include a draft of the ordinance amendment or technical
study under consideration.
The Arden Hills City Council ordains that Chapter 9.5 of the Arden
Hills Municipal Code is hereby repealed.
Effective Date. This ordinance shall be effective the day following
its publication.
Adoption Date. Passed by the City Council of the City of Arden
Hills the day of , 1991.
Thomas Sather, Mayor
ATTEST:
Gary R. Berger, Administrator
Publication Date. Published on the of , 1991.
C\J\AHORD91.005
27
CITY OF ARDEN HILLS
MEMORANDUM
DATE: September 27, 1991
TO: Mayor and City Council
Gary Berger, City Administrator
FROM: Catherine J. Iago, Deputy Clerk ~
SUBJECT: Ordinance No. 283 - Adding Chapter 9.6 to the Arden Hills
Municipal Code and Repealing Chapter 9.5 Relative to the
Flood Plain Management
For your information, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and
Minnesota DNR have negotiated a model ordinance to reflect the
changes enacted in federal regulation in 1986. Every community in
the National Flood Plain Insurance Program is being required to
amend their flood plain zoning ordinance because of these changes.
The City Attorney has prepared a draft ordinance which repeals the
existing flood plain chapter of the City Code and incorporate the
new regulations in a new chapter.
Staff recommends proposed changes penciled in margin and the
regulations under Article X appear to conform to current procedures
for hearings.
ACTION REQUIRED
If Council has any further changes, they should be incorporated at
this time and the attorney directed to revise the draft ordinance.
If no further changes, Council may adopt Ordinance 283, Adding
Chapter 9.6 to the Arden Hills Municipal Code and Repealing Chapter
9.5 Relative to the Flood Plain Management, with language revisions
and direct staff to publish the ordinance summary as prepared by
the City Attorney.
NOTE: The ordinance summary will be available Monday.
CJI/am
v ~ ~ t
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Washington, D.C. 20472
o A~
Jv
~ ai AUG 2 0 1990
MEMORANDUM FOR: CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Attention: Floodplain Admi 'stratorsj-
~ ~
FROM: C. M. "Bud" Schaue~inistrator
~
Federal Insurance nistration
4.
SUBJECT: Elevation Certificate and Non-Residential
Floodproofinq Certificate
The purpose of this correspondence is to describe recent changes
that have been made to two forms that are used to certify
construction work related to the National Flood Insurance Program
(NFIP). The two forms are the Elevation Certificate, which can
be used to certify the elevation of a building's lowest floor,
and the Floodproofing Certificate for Non-Residential Structures,
which must be used to certify that a floodproofed non-residential
building has been constructed in accordance with the_NFIP
requirements.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), after
consultation with surveyors, engineers, State and local
government officials and other users, has completed a series of
revisions to both the Elevation and Floodproofing Certificates in
order to meet two objectives: first, to clarify and simplify the
Certificates (and in so doing reduce the increasing cost of
completing the Certificates); and second, to create Certificates
that meet the needs of both floodplain management and flood
insurance. Following are descriptions of the two revised
Certificates and their uses.
ELEVATION CERTIFICATE
One of the requirements of the NFIP is that a floodplain
management ordinance be adopted and enforced by a community in
order to participate in the program. This ordinance requires
that a community "obtain the elevation of the lowest floor
(including basement) of all new and substantially improved
structures, and maintain a record of all such information." Use
of the Elevation Certificate provided by FEMA is one way for a
community to comply with this requirement.
Some of the more significant changes to the Elevation Certificate
are to:
1) revise and incorporate the reference level diagrams
directly into the Certificate instructions so that it can
- 2 -
"stand alone" as the complete guidance needed, eliminating
the need to rely on the Flood Insurance Manual for
supplemental information.
2) add a warning statement that an Elevation Certificate is
not a waiver of the Federal flood insurance purchase
requirement, and
3) make the Certificate a complete package, consisting of a
cover page, the actual Certificate, the completely rewritten
instructions, and the reference level diagrams to assure a
consistent level of accuracy.
The citizens of your community can benefit in several ways when a
FEMA Elevation Certificate is used. First, all flood insurance
policies require an Elevation Certificate in order to properly
rate all structures built after adoption of the Flood Insurance
Rate Map where base flood elevation information is available. If
your community already has an Elevation Certificate for a
structure on file, the property owner would save the expense of
obtaining a second certification. A second advantage is that
the use and maintenance of a FEMA Elevation Certificate is one of
activities that may qualify your citizens for a flood insurance
rate reduction if your community elects to participate in FEMA's
Community Rating System.
FLOODPROOFING CERTIFiCATE FOR NON-RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES
The Floodproofing Certificate language was revised to conform
with current floodplain management requirements, and it provides
introductory language regarding the appropriate usage of the
certificate.
Enclosed you will find one copy of both the revised Elevation and
Floodproofing Certificates for your community's use. Both
certificates are designed to be photocopied. However, additional
copies of both certificates can also be ordered from FEMA. The
address for ordering additional forms is:
Federal Emergency Management Agency
P.O. Box 70274
Washington, D.C. 20024
Attn: Publications
Concurrently, copies of these Certificates are being distributed
to insurance companies and agents for their use. If you or your
staff have any questions or comments regarding the two
Certificates, please contact your FEMA Regional Office.
~~G MqN
4G •,,'9C
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Washington, D.C. 20472
P~y° °AUG 2 0 1990
~
MEMORANDUM FOR: CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
FROM: C. M. "Bud" Schauert ~iv
Federal Insurance Adm trator
SUBJECT: National Flood Insurance Program
This is my first opportunity to write to you as the Federal
Insurance Administration's (FIA) newest Administrator. I want
every community CEO of the National Flood Insurance Program
(NFIP) to know that I share with my predecessors and all of the
men and women of the FIA a dedication to reducing the human
misery and economic losses associated with flooding. What
better way is there in accomplishing this goal than addressing it
through the combined efforts of the Federal, State and local
governments? Each level of government brings with it a unique
ability to achieving this objective.
You have the advantage of being closest to the community's
efforts in mitigating flood hazards with the help of the NFIP.
You know those activities which have been more effective and
those which have fallen short of expectations. PLEASE SHARE THEM
WITH THE FEDERAL INSURANCE ADMINISTRATION. Write me personally.
I know that many thousands of communities strongly support flood
loss reduction programs, and, in fact, often exceed NFIP minimum
criteria. I also know that each community which has seen the
benefits derived from the NFIP has become a cheerleader for the
program. And, by the way, property owners--especially those who
have suffered a flood loss--respond positively to local officials
who implement above-standard floodplain management programs.
So why is it that so many other property owners still do not
carry flood insurance when it is in their best interests to have
the coverage? Is it the cost? Is it a"it cannot happen here"
attitude? Maybe it is merely a lack of understanding or a
combination of many things. The point I want to make the most in
this letter is that FLOOD INSURANCE WORKS FOR THE FEDERAL, STATE
AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND EVERY PROPERTY OWNER WHO HAS IT. And
the FIA needs your help to encourage more coverage.
In closing I want to add that some years ago I served as a loaned
executive and administrative assistant for the former Mayor of
Houston, Louie Welch. It was an exciting year and one which has
helped me to appreciate the services you are performing all over
our great country. Write and teZl me about your job. I promise
to respond. Thanks.
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY O.M.B. N03067-0077
NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM fxpiresMay31, 1993
FLOODPROOFIIVG CERTIFICATE
FOR NON-RESIDEIVTIAL STRUCTURES
The floodproofing of non-residential buildings may be permitted as an alternative to e/evating to or above the Base Flood Elevation;
however, a floodproofing design certification is required. This form is to be used for that certification. F/oodproofing of a residentia/
building does not a/ter a community`s floadp/ain management e/evation requirements or effect the insurance rating un/ess the
community has been issued an exception by FEMA to allow floodproofed residentia/ basements. The permitting of a f/oodproofed
residentia/ basement requires a separate certification specifying that the design complies with the /ocal f/oodp/ain management
ordinance.
FOR INSURANCE COMPANY USE
BUILDING OWNER'S NAME POLICY NUMBER
STREET ADDRESS (Including Apt., Unit, Suite and/or Bldg. Number) OR P.O. ROUTE AND BOX NUMBER COMPANY NAIC NUMBER
OTHER DESCRIPTION (Lot and Block Numbers, etc.)
CITY STATE ZIP CODE
SECTIQN I FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP (FIRM) INFORMATION
Provide the following from the proper FIRM:
COMMUNITY NUMBER PANEL NUMBER SUFFIX DATE OF FIRM INDEX FIRM ZONE BASE FLOOD ELEVATION
(in AO Zones, use depth)
SECTION II FLOODPROOFING INFORMATION (By a Registered Professional Engineer or Architect)
Floodproofing Design Elevation Information:
Building is floodproofed to an elevation of U feet NGVD. (Elevation datum used must be the same as that
on the FIRM.)
Height of floodproofing on the building above the lowest adjacent grade is W. U feet.
(NOTE: for insurance rating purposes, the building's floodproofed design e/evation must be at least one foot above rhe
Base Flood E/evafion to receive rafing credit. If the building is f/oodproofed on/y to the Base F/ood E/evation, then the
building's insurance rating will result in a higher premium.)
SECTION III CERTIFICATION (By a Registered Professional Engineer or Architect)
Non-Residential Floodproofed Construction Certification:
1 certify that based upon development and/or review of structural design, specifications, and p/ans for consfruction that
the design and methods of construction are in accordance with accepted standards of pracfice for meeting the following
provisions:
The structure, together with attendant utilities and sanitary facilities, is watertight to the floodproofed design
elevation indicated above, with walls that are substantially impermeable to the passage of water.
All structural components are capable of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic flood forces, including the
effects of buoyancy, and anticipated debris impact forces.
1 certify that the information on this certificate represents my best efforts to interpret the data available. 1 understand that
any false stafement may be punishable by fine or imprisonment under 18 U. S. Code, Section 1001.
CERTIFIER'S NAME LICENSE NUMBER (or Affix Seal)
TITLE COMPANY NAME
ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP
SIGNATUPE DATE PHONE
Copies should be made of this Certificate for: 1) community official, 2) insurance agent/comparsy, and 3) building owner.
FEMA Form 61-65, MAY 90 REPLACES EDITION OF JUN 87, WHICH IS OBSOLEP€.
PAPERWORK BURDEN DISCLOSURE NOTICE
GENERAL - This information is provided pursuant to Public Law 96-511, (The Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1980, as amended), dated December 11, 1980, to allow the public to participate more ful]y and
meaningfully in the Federal paperwork review process.
AUTHORITY - Public Law 96-511, amended; 44 U.S.C. 3507; and 5 CFR 1320
DISCL09URE OF BURDEN - Public reporting burden for the collection of information entitled
"Post-Construction Elevation Certificate/Floodproofing Certificate" (FEMA Form 81-31 and 81-65) is
estimated to average 12 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions,
searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and
reviewing the forms. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any aspect of the collection,
including suggestions for reducing t;he burden, to: Information Collections Management, Federal
Emergency Management Agency, 500 C Street, S.W. 20472; and to the Office of Management and
Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (3067-0077), Washington, D.C. 20503.
`U.S.GP0:1990-723-004/20124
(
4G~~Y Mq~,9
CF,
d ~ ~n
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM
ELEVATION CERTIFICATE
AND
INSTRUCTIONS
YAPERWORK BURUEN DISCLOSURE NOTICE
GENERAL -'rhis informaLion is provided pursuanL to Public Law 96-511, ('Phe Paperwork Reduct,ion
Act of 1980, as amended), dated December 11, 1980, to allow the public to parLicipate more fully and
meaningfully in the Federal paperwork review process.
AUTHORITY - Public Law 96-511, amended; 44 U.S.C. 3507; and 5 CFR 1320
DISCLOS[JRE OF BURDEN - Public reporting burden for the collection ol'information entitled
"Post-Construction Elevation Certi{`icate/Floodproofing Certificate" (FEMA Form 81-31 and 81-65) is
estimated to average 12 minutes per response, including the l,ime for reviewing instructions,
searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and
reviewing the forms. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any aspect of the collection,
including suggestions for reducing the burden, to: Information Collections Management, Federal
Emergency Management, Agency, 500 C St,reet, S. W. 20472; and to the Ofiice of Management and
Budget, Yaperwork Keduction Project (3067-0077), Washington, D.C. 20503.
ELEVATION CERTIFICATE O.M.B. No3067-0077
Expires May 31, 1993
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM
ATTENTION: Use of this certificate does not provide a waiver of the flood insurance purchase requirement. This form is used only to
provide elevation information necessary to ensure compliance with applicable community floodplain management ordinances, to
determine the proper insurance premium rate, and/or to support a request for a Letter of Map Amendment or Revision (LOMA or LOMR).
Instructions for completing this form can be found on the following pages.
SECTION A PROPERTY INFORMATfON FOR INSURANCE COMPANY USE
BUILDING OWNER'S NAME POLICY NUMBER
STREET ADDRESS (Including Apt., Unit, Suite and/or Bldg. Number) OR P.O. ROUTE AND BOX NUMBER COMPANY NAIC NUMBER
OTHER DESCRIPTION (Lot and Block Numbers, etc.)
CITY STATE ZIP CODE
SECTION B FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP (FIRM) INFORMATION
Provide the following from the proper FIRM (See Instructions):
1. COMMUNITY NUMBER 2. PANEL NUMBER 3. SUFFIX 4. DATE OF FIRM INDEX 5. FIRM ZONE 6. BASE FLOOD ELEVATION
(in AO Zones, use depth)
7. Indicate the elevation datum system used on the FIRM for Base Flood Elevations (BFE): ? NGVD '29 ? Other (describe on back)
8. For Zones A or V, where no BFE is provided on the FIRM, and the community has established a BFE for this building site, indicate
the community's BFE: Ll feet NGVD (or other FIRM datum-see Section B, Item 7).
SECTION C BUILDING ELEVATION INFORMATION
1. Using the Elevation Certificate Instructions, indicate the diagram number from the diagrams found on Pages 5 and 6 that best
describes the subject building's reference level .
2(a). FIRM Zones A1-A30, AE, AH, and A(with BFE). The top of the reference level floor from the selected diagram is at an elevation
of I I I I I ~.L1 feet NGVD (or other FIRM datum-see Section B, Item 7).
(b). FIRM Zones V1-V30, VE, and V(with BFE). The bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member of the reference level from
the selected diagram, is at an elevation of I ~ ~ I I~ U feet NGVD (or other FIRM datum-see Section B, Item 7).
(c). FIRM Zone A(without BFE). The floor used as the reference level from the selected diagram is W. U feet above ? or
below ?(check one) the highest grade adjacent to the building.
(d). FIRM Zone AO. The floor used as the reference level from the selected diagram is W. U feet above ? or below L-1 (check
one) the highest grade adjacent to the building. If no flood depth number is available, is the building's lowest floor (reference
level) elevated in accordance with the community's floodplain management ordinance? ? Yes ? No ? Unknown
3. Indicate the elevation datum system used in determining the above reference level elevations: ? NGVD '29 ? Other (describe
under Comments on Page 2). (NOTE: If fhe elevation datum used in measuring the elevations is different than that used on
the FIRM [see Section 8, Item 7], then convert the elevations to the datum system used on the F/RM and show the conversion
equation under Comments on Page 2.)
4. Elevation reference mark used appears on FIRM: ? Yes ? No (See Instructions on Page 4)
5. The reference level elevation is based on: ? actual construction ? construction drawings
(NOTE: Use of construction drawings is only valid if the building does not yet have the reference level floor in place, in which
case this certificate will only be valid for the building during the course of construction. A post-construction Elevation Certificate
will be required once construction is complete.)
6. The elevation of the lowest grade immediately adjacent to the building is: II . U feet NGVD (or other FIRM datum-see
Section B, Item 7).
SECTION D COMMUNITY INFORMATION
1. If the community official responsible for verifying building elevations specifies that the reference level indicated in Section C, Item 1
is not the "lowest floor" as defined in the community's floodplain management ordinance, the elevation of the building's "lowest
floor" as defined by the ordinance is: ~ ~ I I IJ .U feet NGVD (or other FIRM datum-see Section B, Item 7).
2. Date of the start of construction or substantial improvement •
FEMA Form 81-31) MAY 90 REPLACES ALL PREVIOUS EDITIONS SEE REVERSE SIDE FOR CONTINUATION
SECTION E CERTIFICATION
This certification is to be signed by a land surveyor, engineer, or architect who is authorized by state or local law to certify elevation
information when the elevation information for Zones A1-A30, AE, AH, A(with 13FE),V1-V30,VE, and V(with BFE) is required.
Community officials who are authorized by local law or ordinance to provide floodplain management information, may also sign the
certification. In the case of Zones AO and A(without a FEMA or community issued BFE), a building official, a property owner, or an
owner's representative may also sign the certification.
Reference level diagrams 6, 7 and 8- Distinguishing Features-If the certifier is unable to certify to breakaway/non-breakaway wall,
enclosure size, location of servicing equipment, area use, wall openings, or unfinished area Feature(s), then list the Feature(s) not
included in the certification under Comments below. The diagram number, Section C, Item 1, must still be entered.
I certify that the information in Secfions 8 and C on this certificate represents my best efforts to interpret the data availab/e.
I understand that any fa/se stafement may be punishable by fine or imprisonment under 18 U.S. Code, Section 1001.
CERTIFIER'S NAME LICENSE NUMBER (or Affix Seal)
TITLE COMPANY NAME
ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP
SIGNATURE DATE PHONE
Copies should be made of this Certificate for: 1) community official, 2) insurance agent/company, and 3) building owner.
COMMENTS:
ON WITH
ON PILES,
SLAB BASEMENT PIERS, OR COIUMNS
A V A A V
ZONES ZONES ZONES . ZONES ZONES
REFERENCE
REFERENCE LEVEL REFERENCE
LEVEL BASE FLOOD LEVEL
ELEVATION
BASE BASE
FLOOD ADJACENT REFERENCE FLOOD
G ' ELEVATION REFERENCE ADJACEN7 RADE LEVEL ELEVATION
LEVEL GRADE
qDJACENT';.
GRADE
The diagrams above illustrate the points at which the elevations should be measured in A Zones and V Zones.
Elevations for all A Zones should be measured at the top of the reference level floor.
Elevations for all V Zones should be measured at the bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member.
Page 2
THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM
ELEVATION CERTIFICATE
PURPOSE OF THE ELEVATION CERTIFICATE
The Elevation Certificate is an important administrative tool of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
As part of the agreement for making flood insurance available in a community, the NFIP requires the community to adopt a floodplain
management ordinance containing certain minimum requirements intended to reduce future flood losses. One such requirement is that
the community "obtain the elevation of the lowest floor (including basement) of all new and substantially improved structures, and maintain
a record of all such information." The Elevation Certificate is one way for a community to comply with this requirement.
The Elevation Certificate is also required to properly rate post-FIRM structures, which are buildings constructed after publication of the
Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), for flood insurance in FIRM Zones A1-A30, AE, AO, AH, A(with Base Flood Elevations [BFE's]),
V1-V30, VE, and V(with BFE's). In addition, the Elevation Certificate is also needed for pre-FIRM structures being rated under post-FIRM
flood insurance rules.
Use of this certificate does not in any way alter the flood insurance purchase requirement. The Elevation Certificate is only used to provide
information necessary to ensure compliance with applicable community floodplain management ordinances, to determine the proper flood
insurance premium rate, and/or to support a request for a Letter of Map Amendment or Revision (LOMA or LOMR). Only a LOMA or
LOMR from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) can amend the FIRM and remove the Federal requirement for a
lending institution to require the purchase of flood insurance. Note that the lending institution may still require flood insurance.
This certificate is only used to certify the elevation of the reference level of a building. If a non-residential building is being floodproofed,
then a Floodproofing Certificate must be completed in addition to certifying the building's elevation. Floodproofing of a residential building
does not alter a community's floodplain management elevation requirements or affect the insurance rating unless the community has been
issued an exception by FEMA to allow floodproofed residential basements.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE ELEVATION CERTIFICATE
The Elevation Certificate is to be completed by a land surveyor, engineer, or architect who is authorized by state or local law to certify
elevation information when the elevation information for Zones A1-A30, AE, AH, A(with BFE's), V1-V30, VE, and V(with BFE's) is
required. Community officials who are authorized by local law or ordinance to provide floodplain management information may also
complete this form. For Zones AO and A(without BFE's), a building official, a property owner, or an owner's representative may also
provide the information on this certification.
SECTION A Property Information
The Elevation Certificate identifies the building, its owner and its location. Provide the building owner's name(s), the building's complete
street address, and lot and block number. If the property address is a rural route or PO box number, provide a legal description or an
abbreviated location description based on distance from a reference point.
SECTION B Flood Insurance Rate Map Information
In order to properly complete the Elevation Certificate, it is necessary to locate the building on the appropriate FIRM, and record the
appropriate information. To obtain a FIRM, contact the community or call 1-800-333-1363.
The Elevation Certificate may be completed based on either the FIRM in effect at the time of the certification or the FIRM in effect when
construction of the building was started.
Items 1- 6. Using the FIRM Index and the appropriate FIRM panel for the community, record the community number, panel (or page)
number, suffix, and Index date. From the appropriate FIRM panel, locate the property and record the zone and the BFE (or flood depth
number) at the building site. BFE's are shown on a FIRM for Zones Ai-A30, AE, AH, V1430, and VE; flood depth numbers are shown
for Zone AO.
Item 7. Record the vertical datum system to which the elevations on the applicable FIRM are referenced. The datum is specified in the
upper right corner of the title block of the FIRM.
Item 8. In A or V Zones where BFE's are not provided on the FIRM, the community may have established BFE's based on data from other
sources. For subdivisions and other development greater than 50 lots or 5 acres, establishment of BFE's is required by community
floodplain management ordinance. When this is the case, complete this item.
Page 3
SECTION C Building Elevation Information
Item 1. The Elevation Certificate uses a building's reference level as the point for measuring its elevation. Pages 5 and 6 of this Elevation
Certificate package contain a series of eight diagrams of various building types that are to be used to help determine the reference level.
Choose the diagram that best represents this building, record the diagram number, and use the indicated reference level to measure the
elevation as requested in Items 2a-d.
Item 2. Depending on the property location's FIRM Zone, complete Item 2a, 2b, 2c, or 2d. Use the reference level shown in the
appropriate building diagram as the point of ineasurement. As shown in the diagram on the back of the Certificate, for all A Zones, the
elevation should be measured at the top of the reference level floor. For all V Zones, the elevation should be measured at the bottom of
the lowest horizontal structural member of the reference level floor. Reporting of elevations in Items 2a and 2b should be to the nearest
tenth of a foot, or alternatively, unless prohibited by state or local ordinance, the reference level elevation may be "rounded down" to the
nearest whole foot ("rounding up" is prohibited).
Item 2(a). For structures located in FIRM Zones A1-A30, AE, AH, and A(with BFE's), record the elevation (to the nearest tenth of a foot)
of the top of the floor identified as the reference level in the applicable diagram.
Item 2(b). For structures located in FIRM Zones V1-V30, VE, and V(with BFE's), record the elevation (to the nearest tenth of a foot) of the
bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member of the floor identified as the reference level in the applicable diagram .
Item 2(c). For structures located in FIRM Zone A(without BFE's), record the height (to the nearest tenth of a foot) of the top of the floor
indicated as the reference level (from the applicable diagram) above or below the highest adjacent grade immediately next to the building.
Item 2(d). For structures located in FIRM Zone AO, the FIRM will show the base flood depth. For locations in FIRM Zone AO record the
height (to the nearest tenth of a foot) of the top of the floor identified as the reference level (from the applicable diagram) above or below
the highest adjacent grade immediately next to the building. For post-FIRM buildings, the community's floodplain management ordinance
requires that this value equal or exceed the base flood depth provided on the FIRM. For those few communities where this base flood
depth is not available, the community will need to determine if the lowest floor is elevated in accordance with their floodplain management
ordinance.
Item 3. Record the vertical datum system used in identifying the reference level elevations for all buildings. If the datum used in measuring
the elevations is different than that used on the FIRM, then convert the elevations in Items 2a-d to the datum used on the FIRM, and show
the conversion equation under the Comments section on Page 2.
Item 4. Indicate if the elevation reference mark used appears on the FIRM. Reference marks other than those shown on the FIRM may be
used for elevation determinations. In areas experiencing ground subsidence, the most recently adjusted reference mark elevations must
be used for reference level elevation determinations.
Item 5. Indicate if the reference level used in making the elevation measurement is based on actual construction or construction drawings.
Construction drawings should only be used if the building does not yet have the reference level floor in place, in which case the Elevation
Certificate will only be valid for the building during the course of construction. A post-construction Elevation Certificate will be needed once
construction is complete.
Item 6. Record the elevation measurement of the lowest grade adjacent to the building (to the nearest tenth of a foot). Adjacent grade is
defined as the elevation of the ground, sidewalk, patio, deck support, or basement entryway immediately next to the structure. This
measurement should be to the nearest tenth of a foot if this Certificate is being used to support a request for a LOMA/LOMR.
SECTION D Community Information
Completion of this section may be required by the community in order to meet the minimum floodplain management requirements of the
NFIP. Otherwise, completion of this section is not required.
Item 1. The community's floodplain management ordinance requires elevation of the building's "lowest floor" above the BFE. For the vast
majority of building types, the reference level and the lowest floor will be the same. If the community determines that there is a
discrepancy, record the elevation of the lowest floor.
Item 2. Enter date. These terms are defined by local ordinance.
SECTION E Certification
Complete as indicated. The Elevation Certificate may only be signed by a land surveyor, engineer, or architect who is authorized by state
or local law to certify elevation information when the elevation information for Zones A1-A30, AE, AH, A(with BFE's), V1-V30, VE, and V
(with BFE's) is required. Community officials who are authorized by local law or ordinance to provide floodplain management information
may also sign this certification. In the case of Zones AO and A(without BFE's), a building official, a property owner, or an owner's
representative may sign this certification.
Certification is normally to the information provided in Sections B and C. If the certifier is unable to certify to the selection of reference level
diagram 6, 7 or 8(Section C, Item 1), e.g., because of difficulty in obtaining construction or building use information needed to determine
the Distinguishing Feature(s), the certifier must list the Feature(s) excluded from the certification under Comments on Page 2. The
diagram number used for the Reference level must still be entered in Section C, Item 1.
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INSTRUCTIONS
The following 8 diagrams contain descriptions of various types of buildings. Compare the features of your building with those shown in
the diagrams and select the diagram most applicable. Indicate the diagram number on the Elevation Certificate (Section C, Item 1) and
complete the Certificate. The reference level floor is that level of the building used for underwriting purposes.
NOTE: In all A Zones, the reference level is the top of the lowest floor; in V Zones the reference level is the bottom of the lowest horizontal
structural member (see diagram on page 2). Agents should refer to the Flood Insurance Manual for instruction on lowest floor definition.
DIAGRAM NUMBER 1 DIAGRAM NUMBER 2
ALL SINGLE AND MULTIPLE FLOOR BUfLDINGS (OTHER ALL SINGLE AND MULTIPLE FLOOR BUILDINGS (OTHER THAN
THAN SPLIT LEVEL), INCLUDING MANUFACTURED (MOBILE) SPLIT LEVEL), INCLUDING MANUFACTURED (MOBILE)
HOUSING AND HIGH RISE BUILDINGS, EITHER DETACHED OR HOUSING AND HIGH RISE BUILDINGS, EITHER DETACHED OR
ROW TYPE (E.G., TOWNHOUSE, ETC.); WITH OR WITHOUT ROW TYPE (E.G., TOWNHOUSES, ETC.); WITH OR WITHOUT
ATTACHED GARAGE. ATTACHED GARAGE.
Distinguishing Feature - The first floor is not below ground level (grade) on Distinguishing Feature - The first floor or basement (including an
all sides'. This includes "walkouY" basements, where at least one side is at or underground garage") is below ground level (grade) on all sides'.
above grade. (Not illustrated)
HIGHER FLOORS
i
i i
HIGHER FLOORS (IF ANY)
' (IFANY)
GRADE
FIFST FLOOR
FIRSTFLOOR GRADE
A- BASEMENT (INCLUDING
UNDERGROUND GARAGE) W7
REFERENCE
LEVEL REFERENCE
(TOP OF FLOOR) LEVEL
(TOP OF BASEMENT FLOOR
DIAGRAM NUMBER 3 DIAGRAM NUMBER 4
ALL SPLIT LEVEL BUILDINGS, EITHER DETACHED OR ROW ALL SPLIT LEVEL BUILDINGS, EITHER DETACHED OR ROW
TYPE (E.G., TOWNHOUSES, ETC.); WITH OR WITHOUT TYPE (E.G., TOWNHOUSES, ETC.); WITH OR WITHOUT
ATTACHED GARAGE. ATTACHED GARAGE.
Distinguishing Feature - The lower level is not below ground level (grade) on Distinguishing Feature - The lower level (or intermediate level) is below
all sides'. This includes "walkouY" basements, where at least one side is at or ground level (grade) on all sides`.
above grade.
HIGHER FLOORS HIGHER FLOORS HIGHER FLOORS HIGHER FLOORS
(IFANY) (IFANY)
(IFANY) (IFANV)
1 I 1 I I I
I I I 1 I I
1 I I ~ I I
I I I I ~ ~
I ~
I I
UPPERLEVEL GRADE UPPERLEVEL GRADE
GRADE INTERMEDIATE GRADE INTERMEDIATE
~ LEVEL LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL LOWER LEVEL
\
TO7 REFERENCE
LEVEL
(TOP OF BASEMENT FLOOR')
* Under fhe Nationa/ F/ood Insurance Program's risk classification and insurance coverage, a floor that is below ground leve!
(grade) on all sides is considered a basement even though the floor is used for living purposes, or as an office, garage,
workshop, etc.
Page 5
Note: In all A Zones, the reference level is the top of the lowest floor; in V Zones the reference level is the bottom of the lowest
horizontal structural member (see diagram on page 2). Agents should refer to the Flood Insurance Manual for instruction on lowest
ftoor definition.
DIAGRAM NUMBER 5 DIAGRAM NUMBER 6
ALL BUILDINGS, INCLUDING MANUFAC7URED (MOBILE) ALL BUILDINGS, INCLUDING MANUFACTURED (MOBILE)
HOMES ELEVATED ON PIERS, POSTS, COLUMNS, SHEAR HOMES ELEVATED ON PIERS, POSTS, COLUMNS, SHEAR
WALLS, WITH OR WITHOUT PARKING AREA BELOW WALLS, WITH OR WITHOUT PARKING AREA BELOW
EIEVATED FLOOR. ELEVATED FLOOR.
Distfnguishing Feature - For all zones, the area below the elevated floor Distinguishing Feature - For V Zones only, the area below the elevated
is open, with no obstruction to the flow of flood waters (open wood lattice floor is enclosed, either partially or fully, by solid breakaway walls." When
work or readily removable insect screening is permissible). enclosed area is greater than 300 square feet or contains equipment
servicing the building, use Diagram Number 7; this will result in a higher
insurance rate. The enclosed area can be used for parking, building access
or lim'ited storage.
HIGHER FLOORS HIGHER FLOORS
(IF ANY) (IF ANY) I I I
I
I
ELEVATED ELEVATED
FIRST FLDOR FIRST FLOOR
REFERENCE pEFERENCE
LEVEL LEVEL
ENCLOSEDAREA
-
DIAGRAM NUMBER 7 DIAGRAM NUMBER 8
ALL BUILDINGS, INCLUDING MANUFACTURED (MOBILE)
HOMES ELEVATED ON PIERS, POSTS, COLUMNS, SHEAR ALL BUILDINGS CONSTRUCTED ABOVE AN UNFINISHEb
WALLS, SOLID NON-BREAKAWAY WALLS, WITH OR SPACE, INCLUDING CRAWL SPACE.
WlTHOIlT PARIC1uG AREA BELOW ELEVATED FLOOR.
Distinguishing Feature - For all zones, the area below the elevated floor is Distinguishing Feature - For A Zones only, the area below the first floor is
enclosed, either partially or fully, by solid non-breakaway walls, or contains enclosed by solid or partial perimeter walis, is unfinished, and contains no
equipment servicing the building. For V Zones only, the area is enclosed, equipment servicing the structure. The area can be used for parking,
either partially or fully, by solid breakaway walls*' having an enclosed area building access, or limited storage.
greater than 300 square feet. For A Zones only, with an area enclosed by
solid walls having proper openings,`*' and used only for parking, building
access, or limited storage, use Diagram Number 8 to determine the
reference level.
HIGHER FLOORS ~
HIGHERFLOORS (IFANY) (IF ANY) GRADE
FIRST FLOOR
ELEVATED ENGLOSED AREA REFERENCE ~
FIRST FLOOR LEVEL
~
CRAWLSPACE
REFERENCE ~ '
LEVEL Openings
GRADE
' Under the National Flood Insurance Program's risk classification and insurance coverage, a floor that is below ground level (grade) on
aii sides is considered a basement even though the floor is used for living purposes, or as an office, garage, workshop, etc.
" Solid breakaway walls are wal/s that are not an integral part of the structural support of a building and are intended through their design
and construction to coilapse under specific lateral loading forces, without causing damage to the elevated portion o1 the building or
supporting foundation. An area so enclosed is not secure against forceable entry.
!f the area below the lowest floor is fully enclosed, then a minimum of two openings are required with a total net area of at least one
square inch for every square foot of area enclosed with ihe bottom of the openings no more than one foot above grade. Alternatively,
certification may be provided by a registered professional engineer or architect that the design will allow equalization of hydrostatic
flood forces on exterior walls. If neither of these criteria are met, then the reference levei is the lowest grade adjacent to the structure.
Page 6
~r U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1990 723-005/20260