Source: https://www.ecode360.com/31455829
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 22:17:37+00:00

Document:
§ 105-2 Findings of fact.
§ 105-3 Statement of purpose.
§ 105-4 Methods of reducing flood losses.
§ 105-7 Basis for establishing areas of special flood hazard.
§ 105-8 Violations and penalties.
§ 105-9 Abrogation and greater restrictions.
§ 105-11 Warning and disclaimer of liability.
§ 105-13 Provisions for flood hazard reduction.
The Legislature of the State of New Jersey has in the New Jersey Statutes delegated the responsibility to local government units to adopt regulations designed to promote the public health, safety and general welfare of its citizenry. Therefore, the Township Committee of Knowlton Township, New Jersey, does ordain as follows.
The flood hazard areas of Knowlton Township are subject to periodic inundation which results in loss of life, property, health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and governmental services, extraordinary public expenditures for flood protection and relief and impairment of the tax base, all of which adversely affect the public health, safety and general welfare.
These flood losses are caused by the cumulative effect of obstructions in areas of special flood hazard, causing increases in flood heights and velocities, and by the occupancy in flood hazard areas by uses vulnerable to floods or hazardous to other lands which are inadequately elevated, floodproofed or otherwise protected from flood damages.
Help maintain a stable tax base by providing for the sound use and development of areas of special flood hazard in such a manner as to minimize future flood-blight areas.
Ensure that potential home buyers are notified that property is in an area of special flood hazard.
Ensure that those who occupy areas of special flood hazard assume responsibility for their actions.
Restrict or prohibit uses which are dangerous to health, safety and property due to water or erosion hazards or which result in damaging increases in erosion or in flood heights or velocities.
Control filling, grading, dredging and other development which may increase flood damage.
A request for a review of the Township Engineer's interpretation of any provision of this chapter or a request for a variance.
A designated AO, AH or VO Zone on a community's Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM), with a one-percent-annual-or-greater chance of flooding to an average depth of one foot 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.
A nonbasement building: i) built, in the case of a building in an area of special flood hazard, to have the top of the elevated floor elevated above the ground level by means of piling, columns (posts and piers) or shear walls parallel to the flow 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 an area of special flood hazard, "elevated building" also includes a building elevated by means of fill or solid foundation perimeter walls with openings sufficient to facilitate the unimpeded movement of floodwaters.
Individually listed on a local inventory of historic places in communities with historic preservation programs that have been certified by either an approved state program as determined by the Secretary of the Interior, or directly by the Secretary of the Interior in states without approved programs.
The lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area (including basement). An unfinished or flood-resistant enclosure, usable solely for the parking of vehicles, building access or storage in an area other than a basement, is not considered a building's lowest floor, provided that such enclosure is not built so to render the structure in violation of other applicable nonelevation design requirements.
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."
Structures for which the start of construction commenced on or after the effective date of this chapter and includes any subsequent improvements to such structures.
A manufactured home park or subdivision for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lot on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including, at a minimum, the installation of utilities, either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads, and the construction of streets) is completed on or after the effective date of this chapter.
A vehicle which is built on a single chassis; 400 square feet or less when measured at the longest horizontal projections; designed to be self-propelled or permanently towable by a light-duty truck; and designed primarily not for use as a permanent dwelling but as a temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel, or seasonal use.
For other than new construction or substantial improvements under the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (P.L. 97-348), includes substantial improvement and means the date the building permit was issued, provided that the actual start of construction, repair, reconstruction, 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 a 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 a 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.
A walled and roofed building, as well as a manufactured home, or a gas or liquid storage tank, that is principally aboveground.
A grant of relief to a person from the requirements of this chapter which permits construction in a manner otherwise prohibited by this chapter where specific enforcement would result in unnecessary hardship.
This chapter shall apply to all areas of special flood hazards within the jurisdiction of Knowlton Township.
Flood Insurance Rate Map for Warren County, New Jersey (All Jurisdictions), as shown on Index and Panel Nos. 34041C0101E, 34041C0102E, 34041C0103E, 34041C0104E, 34041C0106E, 34041C0108E, 34041C0109E, 34041C0111E, 34041C0119E, 34041C0114E, 34041C0116E, 34041C0117E, 34041C0118E, 34041C0119E, 34041C0206E, 34041C0207E; the effective date of which is September 29, 2011.
The above documents are hereby adopted and declared to be a part of this chapter. The Flood Insurance Study and maps are on file at 628 Route 94, Columbia, New Jersey.
No structure or land shall hereafter be constructed, located, extended, converted or altered without full compliance with the terms of this chapter and other applicable regulations. Violation of the provisions of this chapter by failure to comply with any of its requirements (including violations of conditions and safeguards established in connection with conditions) shall constitute a misdemeanor. Any person who violates this chapter or fails to comply with any of its requirements shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not more than $500 or imprisoned for not more than 60 days, or both, for each violation, and in addition shall pay all costs and expenses involved in the case. Nothing herein contained shall prevent Knowlton Township from taking such other lawful action as is necessary to prevent or remedy any violation.
This chapter is not intended to repeal, abrogate or impair any existing easements, covenants or deed restrictions. However, where this chapter and another ordinance, easement, covenant or deed restriction conflict or overlap, whichever imposes the more stringent restrictions shall prevail.
Liberally construed in favor of the governing body.
The degree of flood protection required by this chapter is considered reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on scientific and engineering considerations. Larger floods can and will occur on rare occasions. Flood heights may be increased by man-made or natural causes. This chapter does not imply land outside the areas of special flood hazards or uses permitted within such areas will be free from flooding or flood damages. This chapter shall not create liability on the part of Knowlton Township or by any officer or employee thereof, or Federal Insurance Administration, for any flood damages that result from reliance on this chapter or any administrative decision lawfully made thereunder.
Elevation in relation to mean sea level of the lowest floor (including basement) of all structures.
Elevation in relation to mean sea level to which any one structure has been floodproofed.
Plans showing how any nonresidential floodproofed structure will meet the floodproofing criteria of § 105-13B and after the structure is built, a certification by a registered professional engineer or architect that the structure as built meets the criteria of § 105-13B.
Description of the extent to which any watercourse will be altered or relocated as a result of the proposed development.
Designation of the Township Engineer. The Township Engineer is hereby appointed to administer and implement this chapter by granting or denying development permit applications in accordance with its provisions.
Review all development permits to require that all necessary permits have been obtained from those federal, state or local governmental agencies from which prior approval is required.
Review all development permits to determine if the proposed development is located in the floodway, assure that the encroachment provisions of § 105-13C are met.
Permit review fee. Applicant for review shall submit a fee of $50, together with the application to cover costs of review of the application. In the event that additional sums are required for review, the Township Engineer shall so advise the applicant.
Use of other base flood data. When base flood elevation and floodway data have not been provided in accordance with § 105-7, Basis for establishing areas of special flood hazard, the Township Engineer shall obtain, review and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation and floodway data available from a federal, state or other source, in order to administer § 105-13B(1), Residential construction, and § 105-13B(2), Nonresidential construction.
Verify and record the actual elevation (in relation to mean sea level) of the lowest floor (including basement) of all new or substantially improved structures, and whether or not the structure contains a basement.
Maintain the floodproofing certifications required in Subsection A(3).
Interpretation of FIRM boundaries. Make interpretations, where 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 person contesting the location of the boundary shall be given a reasonable opportunity to appeal the interpretation as provided in Subsection D.
The Township Committee shall hear and decide appeals and requests for variances from the requirements of this chapter.
The Township Committee shall hear and decide appeals when it is alleged there is an error in any requirement, decision or determination made by the Township Engineer in the enforcement or administration of this chapter.
Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Township Committee or any taxpayer may appeal such decision to the appropriate court, as provided in New Jersey Statutes.
The availability of alternative locations, not subject to flooding or erosion damage, for the proposed use.
The relationship of the proposed use to the Comprehensive Plan and Floodplain Management Program for that area.
The expected heights, velocity, duration, rate of rise and sediment transport of the floodwaters, and the effect of wave actions, if applicable, expected at the site.
The costs of providing governmental services during and after flood conditions, including maintenance and repair of public utilities and facilities, such as sewer, gas, electrical and water systems, and streets and bridges.
Upon consideration of the factors listed above and the purposes of this chapter, the Township Committee may attach such conditions to the granting of variances as it deems necessary to further the purposes of this chapter.
The Township Engineer shall maintain the records of all appeal actions, including technical information, and report any variances to the Federal Insurance Administration upon request.
Generally, variances may be issued for new construction and substantial improvements to be erected on a lot of 1/2 acre or less in size contiguous to and surrounded by lots with existing structures constructed below the base flood level, provided that items D(1)(d) through  above have been fully considered. As the lot size increases beyond the 1/2 acre, the technical justification required for issuing the variance increases.
A 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 as identified in Subsection D(1)(d), or conflict with existing local laws or ordinances.
Any applicant to whom a variance is granted shall be given written notice that the structure will be permitted to be built with a lowest flood 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.
All new construction of substantial improvements shall be constructed by methods and practices that minimize flood damage.
New and replacement sanitary sewage systems shall be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of floodwaters into the systems and discharges from the systems into floodwaters.
Base flood elevation data shall be provided for subdivision proposals and other proposed development which is greater than the lesser of 50 lots or five acres.
Enclosure openings. For all new construction and substantial improvements, fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor that 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 must meet or exceed the following minimum criteria: 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. The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above-grade. Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers or other coverings or devices, provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.
Enclosure openings. For all new construction and substantial improvements, 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 must meet or exceed the following minimum criteria: 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. The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above grade. Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers or other coverings or devices, provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.
Within any AO Zone on the Township's FIRM, all new construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated above the highest adjacent grade at least as high as the depth number specified in feet (at least two feet if no depth number is specified); and require adequate drainage paths around structures on slopes to guide floodwaters around and away from proposed structures.
Be floodproofed so that below the base flood level plus one foot the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water; have structural components with the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy; and be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect that the design and methods of construction are in accordance with accepted standards of practice for meeting the applicable provisions of this subsection. Such certification shall be provided to the official as set forth in § 105-12C(4)(b).
Manufactured homes shall be anchored in accordance with Subsection A(1)(b).
Prohibit encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements and other development, unless a technical evaluation demonstrates that encroachments shall not result in any increase in flood levels during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.
If Subsection C(1) above is satisfied, all new construction and substantial improvements shall comply with all applicable flood hazard reduction provisions of this section.
Prohibit the placement of any manufactured homes, except in an existing manufactured home park or existing manufactured home subdivision.
In all areas of special flood hazard in which base flood elevation data has been provided and no floodway has been designated, the cumulative effect of any proposed development, when combined with all other existing and anticipated development, shall not increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than 0.2 foot.

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