O-91-2546 - 8/22/1991ORDINANCE N0. �
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 3.1000, CODE OF ORDINANCES, 1990
EDITION, CITY OF ROUND ROCK, TEXAS, BY DELETING SECTION 3.1000
AND ADDING A NEW SECTION 3.1000, ENTITLED FLOOD DAMAGE
PREVENTION REGULATIONS; PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE AND
REPEALING CONFLICTING ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROUND ROCK,
TEXAS:
I.
That Section 3.1000, Code of Ordinances, 1990 Edition, City of
Round Rock, Texas is hereby amended by deleting said section and
substituting a new Section 3.1000 which shall read as follows:
SECTION 3.1000 FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION REGULATIONS
3.1001 STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION
The Legislature of the State of Texas has in Section
16.315, Texas Water Code, delegated the responsibility of
local government units to adopt regulations designed to
minimize flood losses. Therefore, the Round Rock City
Council of Round Rock, Texas, does ordain as follows:
3.1002 FINDINGS OF FACT
(1) The flood hazard areas of Round Rock are subject to
periodic inundation which may result in loss of life
and property, health and safety hazards, disruption of
commerce and governmental services, and extraordinary
public expenditures for flood protection and relief,
all of which adversely affect the public health,
safety and general welfare.
(2) These flood loses are created by the cumulative effect
of obstructions in flood plains which cause an
increase in flood heights and velocities, and by the
occupancy of flood hazard areas by uses vulnerable to
floods and hazardous to other lands because they are
inadequately elevated, floodproofed or otherwise
protected from flood damage.
3.1003 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
It is the purpose of this ordinance to promote the public
health, safety and general welfare and to minimize public
and private losses due to flood conditions in specific
areas by provisions designed to:
ORFLOOD
3.1004
3.1005
A
(1) Protect human life and health;
(2) Minimize expenditure of public money for costly flood
control projects;
(3) Minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts
associated with flooding and generally undertaken at
the expense of the general public;
(4) Minimize prolonged business interruptions;
(5) Minimize damage to public facilities and utilities
such as water and gas mains, electric, telephone and
sewer lines, streets and bridges located in
floodplains;
(6) Help maintain a stable tax base by providing for the
sound use and development of flood -prone areas in such
a manner as to minimize future flood blight areas; and
(7) Insure that potential buyers are notified that
property is in a flood area.
METHODS OF REDUCING FLOOD LOSSES
In order to accomplish its purposes, this ordinance uses
the following methods:
(1) Restrict or prohibit uses that are dangerous to
health, safety or property in times of flood, or cause
excessive increases in flood heights or velocities;
(2) Require that uses vulnerable to floods, including
facilities which serve such uses, be protected against
flood damage at the time of initial construction;
(3) control the alteration of natural floodplains, stream
channels, and natural protective barriers, which are
involved in the accommodation of flood waters;
(4) Control filling, grading, dredging and other
development which may increase flood damage;
(5) Prevent or regulate the construction of flood barriers
which will unnaturally divert flood waters or which
may increase flood hazards to other lands.
DEFINITIONS
Unless specifically defined below, words or phrases used in
this ordinance shall be interpreted to give them the
meaning they have in common usage and to give this
ordinance its most reasonable application.
2.
(1) ALLUVIAL FAN FLOODING - means flooding occurring on
the surface of an alluvial fan or similar landform
which originates at the apex and is characterized by
high -velocity flows; active processes of erosion,
sediment transport, and deposition; and unpredictable
flow paths.
(2 ) APEX - means a point on an alluvial fan or similar
landform below which the flow path of the major stream
that formed the fan becomes unpredictable and alluvial
fan flooding can occur.
(3) AREA OF SHALLOW FLOODING - means a designated AO, AH
or VO zone on a community's Flood Insurance Rate Map
(FIRM) with a one percent chance or greater annual
chance of flooding to an average depth of one to three
feet where a clearly defined channel does not exist,
where the path of flooding is unpredictable and where
velocity flow may be evident. Such flooding is
characterized by ponding or sheet flow.
(4) AREA OF SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD - is the land in the
floodplain within a community subject to a one percent
or greater chance of flooding in any given year. The
area may be designated as Zone A on the Flood Hazard
Boundary Map (FHBM). After detailed ratemaking has
been completed in preparation for publication of the
FIRM, Zone A usually is refined into Zones A, AE, AH,
AO, Al -99, VO, V1-30, VE or V.
(5) BASE FLOOD - means the flood having a one percent
chance of being equalled or exceeded in any given
year.
(6) BASEMENT - means any area of the building having its
floor subgrade (below ground level) on all sides.
(7) CRITICAL FEATURE - means an integral and readily
identifiable part of a flood protection system,
without which the flood protection provided by the
entire system would be compromised.
(8) DEVELOPMENT - means any man-made change in improved
and unimproved real estate, including but not limited
to buildings or other structures, mining, dredging,
filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling
operations or storage of equipment or materials.
(9) ELEVATED BUILDING - means a nonbasement building (i)
built, in the case of a building in Zones Al -30, AE,
A, A99, AO, AH, B, C, X, and D, to have the top of the
elevated floor, or in the case of a building in Zones
V1-30, VE, or V, to have the bottom of the lowest
horizontal structure member of the elevated floor
elevated above the ground level by means of pilings,
columns (posts and piers), or shear walls parallel to
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the floor of the water and (ii) adequately anchored so
as not to impair the structural integrity of the
building during a flood of up to the magnitude of the
base flood. In the case of Zones Al -30, AE, A, A99,
AO, AH, B, C, X, and D, "elevated building" also
includes a building elevated by means of fill or solid
foundation perimeter walls with opening sufficient to
facilitate the unimpeded movement of flood waters. In
the case of Zones V1-30, VE, or V, "elevated building"
also includes a building otherwise meeting the
definition of "elevated building," even though the
lower area is enclosed by means of breakaway walls if
the breakaway walls met the standards of Section
60.3(e)(5) of the National Flood Insurance Program
regulations.
(10) EXISTING CONSTRUCTION - means for the purposes of
determining rates, structures for which the "start of
construction" commenced before the effective date of
the FIRM or before January 1, 1975, for FIRMs
effective before that date. "Existing construction"
may also be referred to as "existing structures."
(11) EXISTING MANUFACTURED HOME PARR OR SUBDIVISION - means
a manufactured home park or subdivision for which the
construction of facilities for servicing the lots on
which the manufactured homes are to be affixed
(including, at a minimum, the installation of
utilities, the construction of streets, and either
final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads) is
completed before the effective date of the floodplain
management regulations adopted by a community.
(12) EXPANSION TO AN EXISTING MANUFACTURED HOME PARR OR
SUBDIVISION - means the preparation of additional
sites by the construction of facilities for servicing
the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be
affixed (including the installation of utilities, the
construction of streets, and either final site grading
or the pouring of concrete pads).
(13) FLOOD OR FLOODING - means a general and temporary
condition of partial or complete inundation of
normally dry land areas from:
(a) the overflow of inland or,tidal waters.
(b) the unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of
surface waters from any source.
(14) FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP (FIRM) - means an official
map of a community, on which the Federal Emergency
Management Agency has delineated both the areas of
special flood hazards and the risk premium zones
applicable to the community.
4.
(15) FLOOD INSURANCE STUDY - is the official report
provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The report contains flood profiles, water surface
elevation of the base flood, as well as the Flood
Boundary-Floodway Map.
(16) FLOODPLAIN OR FLOOD -PRONE AREA - means any land area
susceptible to being inundated by water from any
source (see definition f flooding).
(17) FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT - means the operation of an
overall program of corrective and preventive measures
for reducing flood damage, including but not limited
to emergency preparedness plans, flood control works
and floodplain management regulations.
(18) FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS - means zoning
ordinances, subdivision regulations, building codes,
health regulations, special purpose ordinances (such
as a floodplain ordinance, grading ordinance and
erosion control ordinance) and other applications of
police power. The term describes such state or local
regulations, in any combination thereof, which provide
standards for the purpose of flood damage prevention
and reduction.
(19) FLOOD PROTECTION SYSTEM - means those physical
structural works for which funds have been authorized,
appropriated, and expended and which have been
constructed specifically to modify flooding in order
to reduce the extent of the areas within a community
subject to a "special flood hazard" and the extent of
the depths of associated flooding. Such a system
typically includes hurricane tidal barriers, dams,
reservoirs, levees or dikes. These specialized flood
modifying works are those constructed in conformance
with sound engineering standards.
(20) FLOOD PROOFING - means any combination of structural
and non-structural additions, changes, or adjustments
to structures which reduce or eliminate flood damage
to real estate or improved real property, water and
sanitary facilities, structures and their contents.
(21) FLOODWAY (REGULATORY FLOODWAY) - means the channel of
a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land
areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the
base flood without cumulatively increasing the water
surface elevation more than a designated height.
(22) FUNCTIONALLY DEPENDENT USE - means a use which cannot
perform its intended purpose unless it is located or
carried out in close proximity to water. The term
includes only docking facilities, port facilities that
are necessary for the loading and unloading of cargo
or passengers, and ship building and ship repair
5.
facilities, but does not include long-term storage or
related manufacturing facilities.
(23) HIGHEST ADJACENT GRADE - means the highest natural
elevation of the ground surface prior to construction
next to the proposed walls of a structure.
(24) HISTORIC STRUCTURE - means any structure that is:
(a) Listed individually in the National Register of
Historic Places (a listing maintained by the
Department of Interior) or preliminarily
determined by the Secretary of the Interior as
meeting the requirements for individual listing
on the National Register;
(b) Certified or preliminarily determined by the
Secretary of the Interior as contributing to the
historical significance of a registered historic
district or a district preliminarily determined
by the Secretary to qualify as a registered
historic district;
(c) Individually listed on a state inventory of
historic places in states with historic
preservation programs which have been approved
by the Secretary of Interior; or
(d) Individually listed on a local inventory or
historic places in communities with historic
preservation programs that have been certified
either:
(1) By an approved state program as determined
by the Secretary of the Interior or;
(2) Directly by the Secretary of the Interior
in states without approved programs.
(2 5 ) LEVEE - means a man-made structure, usually an earthen
embankment, designed and constructed in accordance
with sound engineering practices to contain, control,
or divert the flow of water so as to provide
protection from temporary flooding.
(26) LEVEE SYSTEM - means a flood protection system which
consists of a levee, or levees, and associated
structures, such as closure and drainage devices,
which are constructed and operated in accordance with
sound engineering practices.
(27) LOWEST FLOOR - means the lowest floor of the lowest
enclosed area (including basement). An unfinished or
flood resistant enclosure, usable solely for parking
or vehicles, building access or storage in an area
other than a basement area is not considered a
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building's lowest floor; provided that such enclosure
is not built so as to render the structure in
violation of the applicable non -elevation design
requirement of Section 60.3 of the National Flood
Insurance Program regulations.
(28) MANUFACTURED HOME - means a structure transportable in
one or more sections, which is built on a permanent
chassis and is designed for use with or without a
permanent foundation when connected to the required
utilities. The term "manufactured home" does not
include a "recreational vehicle".
(29) MANUFACTURED HOME PARR OR SUBDIVISION - means a parcel
(or contiguous parcels) of land divided into two or
more manufactured home lots for rent or sale.
(30) MEAN SEA LEVEL - means, for purposes of the National
Flood Insurance Program, the National Geodetic
Vertical Datum (NGVD) of 1929 or other datum, to which
base flood elevations shown on a community's Flood
Insurance Rate Map are referenced.
(31) NEW CONSTRUCTION - means, for the purpose of
determining insurance rates, structures for which the
"start of construction" commenced on or after the
effective date of an initial FIRM or after December
31, 1974, whichever is later, and includes any
subsequent improvements to such structures. For
floodplain management purposes, "new construction"
means structures for which the "start of construction"
commenced on or after the effective date of a
floodplain management regulation adopted by a
community and includes any subsequent improvements to
such structures.
(32) NEW MANUFACTURED HOME PARR OR SUBDIVISION - means a
manufactured home park or subdivision for which the
construction of facilities for servicing the lots on
which the manufactured homes are to be affixed
(including at a minimum, the installation of
utilities, the construction of streets, and either
final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads) is
completed on or after the effective date of floodplain
management regulations adopted by a community.
(33) RECREATIONAL VEHICLE - means a vehicle which is (i)
built on a single chassis; (ii) 400 square feet or
less when measured at the largest horizontal
projections; (iii) designed to be self-propelled or
permanently towable by a light duty truck; and (iv)
designed primarily not for use as a permanent dwelling
but as temporary living quarters for recreational,
camping, travel, or seasonal use.
7.
(34) START OF CONSTRUCTION - (for other than new
construction or substantial improvements under the
Coastal Barrier Resources Act (Pub. L. 97-348)),
includes substantial improvement and means the date
the building permit was issued, provided the actual
start of construction, repair, reconstruction,
rehabilitation, addition, placement, or other
improvement was within 180 days of the permit date.
The actual start means either the first placement of
permanent construction of a structure on a site, such
as the pouring of slab or footings, the installation
of piles, the construction of columns, or any work
beyond the stage of excavation; or the placement of a
manufactured home on a foundation. Permanent
construction does not include land preparation, such
as clearing, grading and filling; nor does it include
the installation of streets and/or walkways; nor does
it include excavation for basement, footings, piers or
foundations or the erection of temporary forms; nor
does it include the installation on the property of
accessory buildings, such as garages or sheds not
occupied as dwelling units or not part of the main
structure. For a substantial improvement, the actual
start of construction means the first alteration of
any wall, ceiling, floor, or other structural part of
a building, whether or not that alteration affects the
external dimensions of the building.
(35) STRUCTURE - means a walled and roofed building,
including a gas or liquid storage tank, that is
principally above ground, as well as a manufactured
home.
(36) SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE - means damage of any origin
sustained by a structure whereby the cost of restoring
the structure to its before damaged condition would
equal or exceed 50 percent of the market value of the
structure before the damage occurred.
(37) SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT - means any reconstruction,
rehabilitation, addition, or other improvement of a
structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50
percent of the market value of the structure before
"start of construction" of the improvement. This
includes structures which have incurred "substantial
damage", regardless of the actual repair work
performed. The term does not, however, include
either: (1) Any project for improvement of a structure
to correct existing violations of state or local
health, sanitary, or safety code specifications which
have been identified by the local code enforcement
official and which are the minimum necessary
conditions or (2) Any alteration of a "historic
structure", provided that the alteration will not
preclude the structure's continued designation as a
"historic structure."
S.
(38) VARIANCE - is a grant of relief to a person from the
requirement of this ordinance when specific
enforcement would result in unnecessary hardship. A
variance, therefore, permits construction or
development in a manner otherwise prohibited by this
ordinance. (For full requirements see Section 60.6 of
the National Flood Insurance Program regulations.)
(39) VIOLATION - means the failure of a structure or other
development to be fully compliant with the community's
floodplain management regulations. A structure or
other development without the elevation certificate,
other certifications, or other evidence of compliance
required in Section 60.3(b)(5), (c)(4), (c)(10),
(d)(3), (e)(2), (e)(4), or (e)(5) is presumed to be in
violation until such time as that documentation is
provided.
(40) WATER SURFACE ELEVATION - means the height, in
relation to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum
(NGVD) of 1929 (or other datum, where specified), of
floods of various magnitudes and frequencies in the
floodplains of coastal or riverine areas.
3.1006 GENERAL PROVISIONS
(1) LANDS TO WHICH THIS ORDINANCE APPLIES
The ordinance shall apply to all areas of special
flood hazard with the jurisdiction of the City of
Round Rock, Texas.
(2) BASIS FOR ESTABLISHING THE AREAS OF SPECIAL FLOOD
HAZARD
The areas of special flood hazard identified by the
Federal Emergency Management Agency in a scientific
and engineering report entitled, "The Flood Insurance
Study for the City of Round Rock," dated
, with accompanying Flood Insurance Rate
Maps and Flood Boundary-Floodway Maps (FIRM and FBFM)
and any revisions thereto are hereby adopted by
reference and declared to be a part of this ordinance.
(3) ESTABLISHMENT OF DEVELOPMENT PERMIT
A Development Permit shall be required to ensure
conformance with the provisions of this ordinance.
(4) COMPLIANCE
No structure or land shall hereafter be located,
altered, or have its use changed without full
compliance with the terms of this ordinance and other
applicable regulations.
M
3.1007
(5) ABROGATION AND GREATER RESTRICTIONS
This ordinance is not intended to repeal, abrogate, or
impair any existing easements, covenants, or deed
restrictions. However, where this ordinance and
another conflict or overlap, whichever imposes the
more stringent restrictions shall prevail.
(6) INTERPRETATION
In the interpretation and application of this
ordinance, all provisions shall be; (1) considered as
minimum requirements; (2) liberally construed in favor
of the governing body; and (3) deemed neither to limit
nor repeal any other powers granted under State
statutes.
(7) WARNING AND DISCLAIMER OR LIABILITY
The degree of flood protection required by this
ordinance is considered reasonable for regulatory
purposes and is based on scientific and engineering
considerations. On rare occasions greater floods can
and will occur and flood heights may be increased by
man-made or natural causes. This ordinance does not
imply that land outside the areas of special flood
hazards or uses permitted within such areas will be
free from flooding or flood damages. This ordinance
shall not create liability on the part of the
community or any official or employee thereof for any
flood damages that result from reliance on this
ordinance or any administrative decision lawfully made
thereunder.
ADMINISTRATION
(1) DESIGNATION OF THE FLOODPLAIN ADMINISTRATOR
The Director of Public Works for the City of Round
Rock is hereby appointed the Floodplain Administrator
to administer and implement the provisions of this
ordinance and other appropriate sections of 44 CFR
(National Flood Insurance Program Regulations)
pertaining to floodplain management.
(2) DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE FLOODPLAIN
ADMINISTRATOR
Duties and responsibilities of the Floodplain
Administrator shall include, but not be limited to,
the following:
(a) Maintain and hold open for public inspection all
records pertaining to the provisions of this
ordinance.
10.
(b) Review permit application to determine whether
proposed building site, including the placement
of manufactured homes, will be reasonably safe
from flooding.
(c) Review, approve or deny all applications from
development permits required by adoption of this
ordinance.
(d) Review permits for proposed development to
assure that all necessary permits have been
obtained from those Federal, State or local
governmental agencies (including Section 404 of
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act
Amendments of 1972, 33 U.S.C. 1334) from which
prior approval is required.
(e) Where interpretation is needed as to the exact
location of the boundaries of the areas of
special flood hazards (for example, where there
appears to be a conflict between a mapped
boundary and actual field conditions) the
Floodplain Administrator shall make the
necessary interpretation.
(f) Notify, in riverine situations, adjacent
communities and the State Coordinating Agency
which is the Texas Water Commission, prior to
any alteration or relocation of a watercourse,
and submit evidence of such notification to the
Federal Emergency Management Agency.
(g) Assure that the flood carrying capacity within
the altered or relocated portion of any
watercourse is maintained.
(h) When base flood elevation data has not been
provided in accordance with Section 3.1006(2),
the Floodplain Administrator shall obtain,
review and reasonably utilize any base flood
elevation data and floodway data available from
a Federal, State or other source, in order to
administer the provisions of Section 3.1008.
(i) When a regulatory floodway has not been
designated, the Floodplain Administrator must
require that no new construction, substantial
improvements, or other development (including
fill) shall be permitted within Zones Al -30 and
AE on the community's FIRM, unless it is
demonstrated that the cumulative effect of the
proposed development, when combined with all
other existing and anticipated development, will
not increase the water surface elevation of the
base flood more than one foot at any point
within the community.
11.
(j) Under the provisions of 44 CFR Chapter 1,
Section 65.12, of the National Flood Insurance
Program regulations, a community may approve
certain development in Zones Al -30, AE, AH, on
the community's FIRM which increases the water
surface elevation of the base flood by more than
one foot, provided that the community first
applies for a conditional FIRM revision through
FEMA.
(3) PERMIT PROCEDURES
(a) Application for a Development Permit shall be
presented to the Floodplain Administrator on
forms furnished by him/her and may include, but
not be limited to, plans in duplicate drawn to
scale showing the location, dimensions, and
elevation of proposed landscape alterations,
existing and proposed structures, including the
placement of manufactured homes, and the
location of the foregoing in relation to areas
of special flood hazard. Additionally, the
following information is required:
(i) Elevation (in relation to mean sea level),
of the lowest floor (including basement) of
all new and substantially improved
structures;
Elevation in relation to mean sea level to
which any nonresidential structure shall be
floodproofed;
A certificate from a registered
professional engineer or architect that the
nonresidential floodproofed structure shall
meet the floodproofing criteria of Section
3.1008 (2) (b) ;
(iv) Description of the extent to which any
watercourse of natural drainage will be
altered or relocated as a result of
proposed development.
(v) Maintain a record of all such information
in accordance with Section 3.1007(2)(a).
(b) Approval or denial of a Development Permit by
the Floodplain Administrator shall be based on
all of the provisions of this ordinance and the
following relevant factors:
(i) The danger to life and property due to
flooding or erosion damage;
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The susceptibility of the proposed facility
and its contents to flood damage and the
effect of such damage on the individual
owner;
The danger that materials may be swept onto
other lands to the injury of others;
(iv) The compatibility of the proposed use with
existing and anticipated development;
(v) The safety of access to the property in
times of flood for ordinary and emergency
vehicles;
(vi) The costs of providing governmental
services during and after flood conditions
including maintenance and repair of streets
and bridges, and public utilities and
facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical
and water systems;
(vii) The expected heights, velocity, duration,
rate of rise and sediment transport of the
flood waters and the effects of wave
action, if applicable, expected at the
site;
(viii) The necessity to the facility of a
waterfront location, where applicable;
(ix) The availability of alternative locations,
not subject to flooding or erosion damage,
for the proposed use;
(x) The relationship of the proposed use to the
comprehensive plan for that area.
(4) VARIANCE PROCEDURES
(a) The Appeal Board as established by the community
shall hear and render judgment on requests for
variances from the requirements of this
ordinance.
(b) The Appeal Board shall hear and render judgment
on an appeal only when it is alleged there is an
error in any requirement, decision, or
determination made by the Floodplain
Administrator in the enforcement or
administration of this ordinance.
(c) Any person or persons aggrieved by the decision
of the Appeal Board may appeal such decision in
the courts of competent jurisdiction.
13.
(d) The Floodplain Administrator shall maintain a
record of all actions involving an appeal and
shall report variances to the Federal Emergency
Management Agency upon request.
(e) Variances may be issued for the reconstruction,
rehabilitation or restoration of structures
listed on the National Register of Historic
Places or the State Inventory of Historic
Places, without regard to the procedures set
forth in the remainder of this ordinance.
(f) Variances may be issued for new construction and
substantial improvements to be erected on a lot
of one-half acre or less in size contiguous to
and surrounded by lots with existing structures
constructed below the base flood level,
providing the relevant factors in Section
3.1007(3)(b) have been fully considered. As the
lot size increases beyond the one-half acre, the
technical justification required for issuing the
variance increases.
(g) Upon consideration of the factors noted above
and the intent of this ordinance, the Appeal
Board may attach such conditions to the granting
of variances as it deems necessary to further
the purpose and objectives of this ordinance
(Section 3.1003).
(h) Variances shall not be issued within any
designated floodway if any increase in flood
levels during the base flood discharge would
result.
(i) Variances may be issued for the repair or
rehabilitation of historic structures upon a
determination that the proposed repair or
rehabilitation will not preclude the structure's
continued designation as a historic structure
and the variance is the minimum necessary to
preserve the historic character and design of
the structure.
(j) Prerequisites for granting variances:
(i) Variances shall only be issued upon a
determination that the variance is the
minimum necessary, considering the flood
hazard, to afford relief.
(ii) Variances shall only be issued upon, (i)
showing a good and sufficient cause; (ii) a
determination that failure to grant the
variance would result in exceptional
hardship to the applicant, and (iii) a
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determination that the granting of a
variance will not result in increased flood
heights, additional threats to public
safety, extraordinary public expense,
create nuisances, cause fraud on or
victimization of the public, or conflict
with existing local laws or ordinances.
Any application to whom a variance is
granted shall be given written notice that
the structure will be permitted to be built
with the lowest floor elevation below the
base flood elevation, and that the cost of
flood insurance will be commensurate with
the increased risk resulting from the
reduced lowest floor elevation.
(k) Variances may be issued by a community for new
construction and substantial improvements and
for other development necessary for the conduct
of a functionally dependent use provided that
(i) the criteria outlined in Section
3.1007(4)(a)(i) are met, and (ii) the structure
or other development is protected by methods
that minimize flood damages during the base
flood and create no additional threats to public
safety.
3.1008 PROVISIONS FOR FLOOD HAZARD REDUCTION
(1) GENERAL STANDARDS
In all areas of special flood hazards the following
provisions are required for all new construction and
substantial improvements.
(a) All new construction or substantial improvements
shall be designed (or modified) and adequately
anchored to prevent flotation, collapse or
lateral movement of the structure resulting from
hydrodynamic and hydrostatic loads, including
the effects of buoyancy;
(b) All new construction or substantial improvements
shall be constructed by methods and practices
that minimize flood damage;
(c) All new construction or substantial improvements
shall be constructed with materials resistant to
flood damage;
(d) All new construction or substantial improvements
shall be constructed with electrical, heating,
ventilation, plumbing, and air conditioning
equipment and other service facilities that are
designed and/or located so as to prevent water
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from entering or accumulating within the
components during conditions of flooding.
(e) All new and replacement water supply systems
shall be designed to minimize or eliminate
infiltration of flood waters into the system;
(f) New and replacement sanitary sewage systems
shall be designed to minimize or eliminate
infiltration of flood waters into the system and
discharge from the systems into flood waters;
and,
(g) On-site waste disposal systems shall be located
to avoid impairment to them or contamination
from them during flooding.
(2) SPECIFIC STANDARDS
In all areas of special flood hazards where base flood
elevation data has been provided as set forth in (i)
Section 3.1006 (2) , (ii) Section 3.1007 (2) (h) , or (iii)
Section 3.1008(3)(e), the following provisions are
required:
(a) Residential Construction - new construction and
substantial improvement of any residential
structure shall have the lowest floor (including
basement), elevated to or above the base flood
elevation. A registered professional engineer,
architect, or land surveyor shall submit a
certification to the Floodplain Administrator
that the standard of this subsection as proposed
in Section 3.1007(3)(a)(i)., is satisfied.
(b) Nonresidential Construction - new construction
and substantial improvements of any commercial,
industrial or other nonresidential structure
shall either have the lowest floor (including
basement) elevated to or above the base flood
level or together with attendant utility and
sanitary facilities, be designed so that below
the base flood level the structure is watertight
with walls substantially impermeable to the
passage of water and with structural components
having the capability of resisting hydrostatic
and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy.
A registered professional engineer or architect
shall develop and/or review structural design,
specifications, and plans for the construction,
and shall certify that the design and methods of
construction are in accordance with accepted
standards of practice as outlined in this
subsection. A record of such certification
which includes the specific elevation (in
relation to mean sea level) to which such
16.
structures are floodproofed shall be maintained
by the Floodplain Administrator.
(c) Enclosures - new construction and substantial
improvements, with fully enclosed areas below
the lowest floor that are usable solely for
parking of vehicles, building access or storage
in an area other than a basement and which are
subject to flooding shall be designed to
automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces
on exterior walls by allowing for the entry and
exit of floodwaters. Designs for meeting this
requirement must either be certified by a
registered professional engineer or architect or
meet or exceed the following minimum criteria:
(i) A minimum of two openings having a total
net area of not less than one square inch
for every square foot of enclosed area
subject to flooding shall be provided.
(ii) The bottom of all openings shall be no
higher than one foot above grade.
(iii) Openings may be equipped with screens,
louvers, valves, or other coverings or
devices provided that they permit the
automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.
(d) Manufactured Homes
(i) Require that all manufactured homes to be
placed within Zone A on a community's FHBM
or FIRM shall be installed using methods
and practices which minimize flood damage.
For the purposes of this requirement,
manufactured homes must be elevated and
anchored to resist flotation, collapse, or
lateral movement. Methods of anchoring may
include, but are not limited to, use of
over -the -top or frame ties to ground
anchors. This requirement is in addition
to applicable State and local anchoring
requirements for resisting wing forces.
Require that manufactured homes that are
placed or substantially improved within
Zones Al -30, AH, and AE on the community's
FIRM on sites (i) outside of a manufactured
home park or subdivision, (ii) in a new
manufactured home park or subdivision,
(iii) in an expansion to an existing
manufactured home park or subdivision, or
(iv) in an existing manufactured home park
or subdivision on which a manufactured home
has incurred "substantial damage" as a
17.
result of a flood, be elevated on a
permanent foundation such that the lowest
floor of the manufactured home is elevated
to or above the base flood elevation and be
securely anchored to an adequately anchored
foundation system to resist flotation,
collapse, and lateral movement.
(iii) Require that manufactured homes be placed
or substantially improved on sites in an
existing manufactured home park or
subdivision with Zones Al -30, AH and AE on
the community' s FIRM that are not subj ect
to the provisions of paragraph (4) of this
section be elevated so that either:
(a) the lowest floor of the manufactured
home is at or above the base flood
elevation, or
(b) the manufactured home chassis is
supported by reinforced piers or other
foundation elements of at least
equivalent strength that are no less
than 36 inches in height above grade
and be securely anchored to an
adequately anchored foundation system
to resist flotation, collapse, and
lateral movement.
(e) Recreational Vehicles - Require that
recreational vehicles placed on sites within
Zones Al -30, AH, and AE on the community's
FIRM either (i) be on the site for fewer than
180 consecutive days, (ii) be fully licensed
and ready for highway use, or (iii) meet the
permit requirements of Article 4, Section
C(1), and the elevation and anchoring
requirements for "manufactured homes" in
paragraph (4) of this section. A recreational
vehicle is ready for highway use if it is on
its wheels or jacking system, is attached to
the site only by quick disconnect type
utilities and security devices, and has no
permanently attached additions.
(3) STANDARDS FOR SUBDIVISION PROPOSALS
(a) All subdivision proposals including the
placement of manufactured home parks and
subdivisions shall be consistent with Sections
3.1001, 3.1002 and 3.1003.
(b) All proposals for the development of
subdivisions including the placement of
manufactured home parks and subdivisions shall
18.
meet Development Permit requirements of Section
3.1006(3), Section 3.1007(3) and Section 3.1008
of this ordinance.
(c) Base flood elevation data shall be generated for
subdivision proposals and other proposed
development including the placement of
manufactured home parks and subdivisions which
is greater than 50 lots or 5 acres, whichever is
lesser, if not otherwise provided pursuant to
Section 3.1006(2) or Section 3.1007(2)(h) of
this ordinance.
(d) All subdivision proposals including the
placement of manufactured home parks and
subdivisions shall have adequate drainage
provided to reduce exposure to flood hazards.
(e) All subdivision proposals including the
placement of manufactured home parks and
subdivisions shall have public utilities and
facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical and
water systems located and constructed to
minimize or eliminate flood damage.
(4) STANDARDS FOR AREAS OF SHALLOW FLOODING (AO/AH ZONES)
Located within the areas of special flood hazard
established in Section 3.1006(b), are areas designated
as shallow flooding. These areas have special flood
hazards associated with base flood depths of 1 to 3
feet where a clearly defined channel does not exist
and where the path of flooding is unpredictable and
where velocity flow may be evident. Such flooding is
characterized by ponding or sheet flow; therefore, the
following provisions apply:
(a) All new construction and substantial
improvements of residential structures have the
lowest floor (including basement) elevated above
the highest adjacent grade at least as high as
the depth number specified in feet on the
community's FIRM (at least two feet if no depth
number is specified).
(b) All new construction and substantial
improvements of non-residential structures;
(i) have the lowest floor (including basement)
elevated above the highest adjacent grade
at least as high as the depth number
specified in feet on the community's FIRM
(at least two feet if no depth number is
specified), or;
19.
together with attendant utility and
sanitary facilities be designed so that
below the base flood level the structure is
watertight with walls substantially
impermeable to the passage of water and
with structural components having the
capability of resisting hydrostatic and
hydrodynamic loads of effects of buoyancy.
(c) A registered professional engineer or architect
shall submit a certification to the Floodplain
Administrator that the standards of this
Section, as proposed in Section 3.1007 (3) (a) (i) ,
are satisfied.
(d) Require within Zones AH or AO adequate drainage
paths around structures on slopes, to guide
flood waters around and away from proposed
structures.
(5) FLOODWAYS
Floodways - located within areas of special flood
hazard established in Section 3.1006(2), are areas
designated as floodways. Since the floodway is an
extremely hazardous area due to the velocity of flood
waters which carry debris, potential projectiles and
erosion potential, the following provisions shall
apply:
(a) Encroachments are prohibited, including fill,
new construction, substantial improvements and
other development within the adopted regulatory
floodway unless it has been demonstrated through
hydrologic and hydraulic analyses performed in
accordance with standard engineering practice
that the proposed encroachment would not result
in any increase in flood levels within the
community during the occurrence of the base
flood discharge.
(b) If Section 3.1008(5)(a) above is satisfied, all
new construction and substantial improvements
shall comply with all applicable flood hazard
reduction provisions of Section 3.1008.
(c) Under the provisions of 44 CFR Chapter 1,
Section 65.12, of the National Flood Insurance
Regulations, a community may permit
encroachments within the adopted regulatory
floodway that would result in an increase in
base flood elevations, provided that the
community first applies for a conditional FIRM
and floodway revision through FEMA.
20.
II.
A. All ordinances, parts of ordinances, or resolutions in
conflict herewith are expressly repealed.
B. The invalidity of any section or provision of this
ordinance shall not invalidate other sections or provisions
thereof.
Alternative 1.
By motion duly made, seconded and passed with an affirmative
vote of all the Council members present, the requirement for
reading this ordinance on two separate days was dispensed with.
READ, PASSED, and ADOPTED on first reading this day
Of , 1991.
Alternative 2.
READ and APPROVED on first reading this the day
of , 1991.
READ, APPROVED and ADOPTED on second reading this the
day of
ATTEST:
, 1991.
?��6"E LAND, Ci y Secretary
21.
MIKE ROBINSON, Mayor
City of Round Rock, Texas
DATE: August 20, 1991
SUBJECT: City Council Meeting, August 22, 1991
ITEM: 11B. Consider amendments to the Flood Plain Ordinance.
STAFF RESOURCE PERSON: Jim Nuse
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
From time to time the Federal Emergency Management Administration requires certain
changes to Round Rock Flood Plain Ordinance. The changes were discussed in a previous work
session. In a related issue, FEMA agreed last week to incorporate our two diversions into their
hydraulic model. We hope to get final elevations along Lake Creek within the next few weeks.