Source: https://ecode360.com/10989506
Timestamp: 2020-02-23 19:34:15
Document Index: 658863496

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146', '§ 146']

Village of Hastings-on-Hudson, NY Flood Damage Prevention
§ 146-1 Findings.
§ 146-3 Objectives.
§ 146-4 Definitions; word usage.
§ 146-5 Applicability.
§ 146-6 Basis for establishing areas of special flood hazard.
§ 146-7 Interpretation; conflict with other laws.
§ 146-8 Warning and disclaimer of responsibility.
§ 146-9 Designation of local administrator.
§ 146-10 Floodplain development permit.
§ 146-11 Duties and responsibilities of local administrator.
§ 146-12 Construction standards.
§ 146-13 Waivers.
§ 146-14 Penalties for offenses.
§ 146-15 Severability.
Chapter 146 Flood Damage Prevention
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson 9-11-2007 by L.L. No. 4-2007.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
Stormwater management — See Ch. 250.
Editor's Note: This local law also repealed former Ch. 146, Flood Damage Prevention, adopted 3-31-1987 by L.L. No. 1-1987, as amended.
The Village of Hastings-on-Hudson finds that the potential and/or actual damages from flooding and erosion may be a problem to the residents of the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson and that such damages may include destruction or loss of private and public housing, damage to public facilities, both publicly and privately owned, and injury to and loss of human life. In order to minimize the threat of such damages and to achieve the purposes and objectives hereinafter set forth, this chapter is adopted.
The purpose of this chapter is 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:
Regulate uses that are dangerous to health, safety, and property due to water or erosion hazards or that result in damaging increases in erosion or in flood heights or velocities.
Require that uses vulnerable to floods, including facilities that serve such uses, be protected against flood damage at the time of initial construction.
Control the alteration of natural floodplains, stream channels, and natural protective barriers that are involved in the accommodation of floodwaters.
Control filling, grading, dredging, and other development that may increase erosion or flood damages.
Regulate the construction of flood barriers that will unnaturally divert floodwaters or that may increase flood hazards to other lands.
Minimize damage to public facilities and utilities, such as water and gas mains, electric, telephone, sewer lines, streets, and bridges located in areas of special flood hazard.
A request for a review of the local administrator's interpretation of any provision of this chapter or a request for a waiver.
A designated AO, AH or VO Zone on a community's Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) with a one percent or greater annual chance of flooding to an average annual 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.
The land in the floodplain within a community subject to a one-percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year. This area may be designated as Zone A, AE, AH, AO, A1-A30, A99, V, VO, VE, or V1-V30. It is also commonly referred to as the "base floodplain" or "l00-year floodplain." For purposes of this chapter, the term "special flood hazard area (SFHA)" is synonymous in meaning with the phrase "area of special flood hazard."
The Building Inspector of the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson.
An enclosed area beneath the lowest elevated floor, 18 inches or more in height, which is used to service the underside of the lowest elevated floor. The elevation of the floor of this enclosed area, which may be of soil, gravel, concrete, or other material, must be equal to or above the lowest adjacent exterior grade. The enclosed crawl space area shall be properly vented to allow for the equalization of hydrostatic forces that would be experienced during periods of flooding.
Any human-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, paving, excavation or drilling operations or storage of equipment or materials.
A nonbasement building built, in the case of a building in Zones A1-A30, AE, A, A99, AO, AH, B, C, X, or 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 the flow of the water; and 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 A1-A30, AE, A, A99, AO, AH, B, C, X, or D, 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. In the case of Zones V1-V30, 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 that meet the federal standards.
An official map of the community published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as part of a riverine community's Flood Insurance Study. The FBFM delineates a regulatory floodway along water courses studied in detail in the Flood Insurance Study.
An examination, evaluation, and determination of the flood hazards and, if appropriate, corresponding water surface elevations, or an examination, evaluation, and determination of flood-related erosion hazards.
The same meaning as "flood elevation study."
Flood or flooding also means the collapse or subsidence of land along the shore of a lake or other body of water as a result of erosion or undermining caused by waves or currents of water exceeding anticipated cyclical levels or suddenly caused by an unusually high water level in a natural body of water, accompanied by a severe storm, or by an unanticipated force of nature, such as a flash flood or an abnormal tidal surge, or by some similarly unusual and unforeseeable event which results in flooding as defined in Subsection B(1)(a) above.
Any combination of structural and nonstructural additions, changes, or adjustments to structures that reduce or eliminate flood damage to real estate or improved real property, water and sanitary facilities, structures and their contents.
A use that cannot perform its intended purpose unless it is located or carried out in close proximity to water, such as a docking or port facility necessary for the loading and unloading of cargo or passengers, shipbuilding, and ship repair facilities. The term does not include long-term storage, manufacturing, sales, or service facilities.
The Hastings-on-Hudson Building Inspector.
ONE HUNDRED YEAR FLOOD or 100-YEAR FLOOD
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 as determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in a Flood Insurance Study or by other agencies as provided in § 146-11B of this chapter.
The date of permit issuance for new construction and substantial improvements to existing structures, provided that actual start of construction, repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition placement, or other improvement is within 180 days after the date of issuance. The actual start of construction means the first placement of permanent construction of a building on a site, such as the pouring of a slab or footings, installation of pilings, or construction of columns. 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. Permanent construction does not include land preparation (such as clearing, excavation, grading, or filling), or the installation of streets or walkways, or excavation for a basement, footings, piers or foundations, or the erection of temporary forms, or the installation of accessory buildings such as garages or sheds not occupied as dwelling units or not part of the main building.
Any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50% of the market value of the structure before the start of construction of the improvement. The term includes structures that have incurred substantial damage, regardless of the actual repair work performed. The term does not, however, include either:
Any project for improvement of a structure to correct existing violations of state or local health, sanitary, or safety code specifications that have been identified by the local code enforcement official and that are the minimum necessary to assure safe living conditions; or
A grant of relief from the requirements of this chapter that permits construction or use in a manner that would otherwise be prohibited by this chapter.
The Zoning Board of Appeals of the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson.
This chapter shall apply to all areas of special flood hazard within the jurisdiction of the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson.
The areas of special flood hazard for the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson, Community Number 360913, are identified and defined on the following documents prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency:
Flood Insurance Rate Map Panel Numbers 36119C0244F, 36119C0263F, 36119C0307F, 36119C0326F the effective date of which is September 28, 2007, and any subsequent revisions to these map panels that do not affect areas under the Village's jurisdiction.
The above documents are hereby adopted and declared to be a part of this chapter. The Flood Insurance Study and/or maps are on file at: Village of Hastings-on-Hudson Building Department, 7 Maple Avenue, Hastings-on-Hudson, New York 10706.
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 human-made or natural causes. This chapter does not imply that land outside the area 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 the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson, any officer or employee thereof, or the Federal Emergency Management Agency for any flood damages that result from reliance on this chapter or any administrative decision lawfully made under it.
The Village Building Inspector is hereby appointed local administrator to administer and implement this chapter by granting or denying floodplain development permits in accordance with its provisions.
Requirement of permit. A floodplain development permit is hereby required for all construction and other development to be undertaken in areas of special flood hazard in the Village for the purpose of protecting its citizens from increased flood hazards and insuring that new development is constructed in a manner that minimizes its exposure to flooding. It shall be unlawful to undertake any development in an area of special flood hazard, as shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Map enumerated in § 146-6, without a valid floodplain development permit. Application for a permit shall be made on forms furnished by the local administrator and may include, but not be limited to: plans, in duplicate, drawn to scale and showing: the nature, location, dimensions, and elevations of the area in question; existing or proposed structures, fill, storage of materials, drainage facilities, and the location of the foregoing.
Application for permit. The applicant shall provide the following information where applicable.
A certificate from a licensed professional engineer or architect that any utility floodproofing will meet the criteria in § 146-12C(3).
A certificate from a licensed professional engineer or architect that any nonresidential floodproofed structure will meet the floodproofing criteria in § 146-12E.
A description of the extent to which any watercourse will be altered or relocated as a result of proposed development. Computations by a licensed professional engineer must be submitted that demonstrate that the altered or relocated segment will provide equal or greater conveyance than the original stream segment. The applicant must submit any maps, computations or other material required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to revise the documents enumerated in § 146-6, when notified by the local administrator, and must pay any fees or other costs assessed by FEMA for this purpose. The applicant must also provide assurances that the conveyance capacity of the altered or relocated stream segment will be maintained.
In Zone A, when no base flood elevation data are available from other sources, base flood elevation data shall be provided by the permit applicant for subdivision proposals and other proposed developments that are greater than either 50 lots or five acres.
Fees. All applications for floodplain development permits shall be accompanied by an application fee to be determined by the Village Board of Trustees by resolution and set in the fee schedule. In addition, the applicant shall be responsible for reimbursing the Village, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 223, Professional Fees, of the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson Code for any additional costs necessary for the review, inspection, and approval of the project.
Permit application reviews. The local administrator shall:
Review all applications for completeness, particularly with the requirements of § 146-10, and for compliance with the provisions and standards of this chapter.
Review subdivision and other proposed new development to determine whether proposed building sites will be reasonably safe from flooding. If a proposed building site is located in an area of special flood hazard, all new construction and substantial improvements shall meet the applicable standards of § 146-12.
Determine whether any proposed development in an area of special flood hazard may result in physical damage to any other property (e.g., streambank erosion and increased flood velocities). The local administrator may require the applicant to submit additional technical analyses and data necessary to complete the determination. If the proposed development may result in physical damage to any other property or fails to meet the requirements of § 146-12, no permit shall be issued. The applicant may revise the application to include measures that mitigate or eliminate the adverse effects and resubmit the application.
Determine that all necessary permits have been received from those governmental agencies from which approval is required by New York State or federal law.
When the Federal Emergency Management Agency has designated areas of special flood hazard on the Village's Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) but has neither produced water surface elevation data (these areas are designated Zone A or V on the FIRM) nor identified a floodway, the local administrator shall obtain, review, and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation and floodway data available from a federal, New York State, or other source, including data developed pursuant to § 146-10B(7), as criteria for requiring that new construction, substantial improvements, or other proposed development meet the requirements of this chapter.
Alteration of watercourses. With respect to the alteration of any watercourse, the local administrator shall:
In Zones A1-A30, AE and AH, and also Zone A if base flood elevation data are available, upon placement of the lowest floor or completion of floodproofing of a new or substantially improved structure, the local administrator shall obtain from the permit holder a certification of the as-built elevation of the lowest floor or floodproofed elevation, in relation to mean sea level. The certificate shall be prepared by or under the direct supervision of a licensed land surveyor or professional engineer and certified by same. A certificate of elevation must also be submitted for a recreational vehicle if it remains on a site for 180 consecutive days or longer (unless it is fully licensed and ready for highway use).
Inspections. The local administrator and/or the developer's engineer or architect shall make periodic inspections at appropriate times throughout the period of construction in order to monitor compliance with permit conditions and enable said inspector to certify, if requested, that the development is in compliance with the requirements of the floodplain development permit and/or any waiver provisions.
The local administrator shall issue or cause to be issued a stop-work order for any floodplain development found ongoing without a development permit. Disregard of a stop-work order shall subject the violator to the penalties described in § 146-14 of this chapter.
The local administrator shall issue or cause to be issued a stop-work order for any floodplain development found noncompliant with the provisions of this chapter and/or the conditions of the development permit. Disregard of a stop-work order shall subject the violator to the penalties described in § 146-14 of this chapter.
The local administrator shall issue a certificate of compliance upon satisfactory completion of all development in areas of special flood hazard in conformance with the requirements of this chapter. Issuance of the certificate shall be based upon the inspections conducted, as prescribed in § 146-11E, and/or any certified elevations, hydraulic data, floodproofing, anchoring requirements, or encroachment analyses that may have been required as a condition of the approved permit.
In areas of special flood hazard, as determined by documents enumerated in § 146-6, it shall be unlawful to occupy or to permit the use or occupancy of any building or premises, or both, or part thereof hereafter created, erected, changed, converted, or wholly or partly altered or enlarged in its use or structure until a certificate of compliance has been issued by the local administrator stating that the building or land conforms to the requirements of this chapter.
Certifications of as-built lowest floor elevations of structures, required pursuant to § 146-11D(1) and (2), and whether or not the structures contain a basement.
Floodproofing certificates, required pursuant to § 146-11D(1), and whether or not the structures contain a basement.
Waivers issued pursuant to § 146-13.
Notices required under § 146-11C.
General standards. The following standards apply to all new subdivision proposals and other development, including new and substantially improved structures, in the areas of special flood hazard shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Map designated in § 146-6.
Public utilities and facilities, such as sewer, gas, electrical, and water systems, shall be located and constructed so as to minimize flood damage.
The Village of Hastings-on-Hudson agrees to apply to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for a conditional FIRM revision, FEMA approval is received and the applicant provides all necessary data, analyses, and mapping and reimburses the Village for all fees and other costs in relation to the application. The applicant must also provide all data, analyses, and mapping and reimburse the Village for all costs related to the final map revision.
On streams with a regulatory floodway, as shown on the Flood Boundary and Floodway Map or the Flood Insurance Rate Map adopted in § 146-6, no new construction, substantial improvements, or other development in the floodway (including fill) shall be permitted unless:
The Village of Hastings-on-Hudson agrees to apply to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for a conditional FIRM and floodway revision, FEMA approval is received, and the applicant provides all necessary data, analyses and mapping and reimburses the Village for all fees and other costs in relation to the application. The applicant must also provide all data, analyses and mapping and reimburse the Village for all costs related to the final map revisions.
Standards for all structures. In all areas of special flood hazard, the following standards are required:
Anchoring. New structures and substantial improvement to structures in areas of special flood hazard shall be anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement during the base flood. This requirement is in addition to applicable New York State and local anchoring requirements for resisting wind forces.
For enclosed areas below the lowest floor of a structure within Zones A1-A30, AE or AH, and also Zone A if base flood elevation data are available, new and substantially improved structures shall have 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 that are subject to flooding, designed to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls by allowing for the entry and exit of floodwaters.
Openings may be equipped with louvers, valves, screens, or other coverings or devices, provided they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters. Enclosed areas subgrade on all sides are considered basements and are not permitted.
New and replacement electrical equipment, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, plumbing connections, and other service equipment shall be located at or above the base flood elevation. Electrical wiring and outlets, switches, junction boxes, and panels shall be elevated to or above the base flood elevation unless they conform to the appropriate provisions of the electrical part of the Building Code of New York State or the Residential Code of New York State for location of such items in wet locations.
Additional standards for residential structures. In addition to the standards required in Subsections A, B, and C above, the following standards shall apply to new and substantially improved residential structures located in areas of special flood hazard:
Within Zones A1-A30, AE and AH and also Zone A if base flood elevation data are available, new construction and substantial improvements shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated to or above two feet above the base flood level.
Within Zone A when no base flood elevation data are available, new and substantially improved structures shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated at least three feet above the highest adjacent grade.
Within Zone AO, new and substantially improved structures shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated above the highest adjacent grade at least as high as two feet above the depth number specified in feet on the community's Flood Insurance Rate Map enumerated in § 146-6 (at least two feet if no depth number is specified).
Additional standards for nonresidential structures. In addition to the standards required in Subsections A, B, and C above, the following standards shall apply to new and substantially improved commercial, industrial, and other nonresidential structures located in areas of special flood hazard:
Together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, be completely floodproofed to that level to meet the floodproofing standard specified in § 146-12E(1)(b).
If the structure is to be floodproofed, a licensed professional engineer or architect shall develop and/or review structural design, specifications, and plans for construction. A floodproofing certificate or other certification shall be provided to the local administrator that certifies the design and methods of construction are in accordance with accepted standards of practice for meeting the provisions of § 146-12E(1)(b), including the specific elevation (in relation to mean sea level) to which the structure is to be floodproofed.
The Zoning Board of Appeals of the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson is hereby authorized to hear and decide appeals and requests for waivers from the requirements of this chapter.
The Zoning Board of Appeals shall hear and decide appeals when it is alleged that there is an error in any requirement, decision, or determination made by the local administrator in the enforcement or administration of this chapter.
The availability of alternative locations for the proposed use that are not subject to flooding or erosion damage;
The costs of providing governmental services during and after flood conditions, including search and rescue operations, maintenance and repair of public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical, and water systems, and streets and bridges.
Waivers shall be issued only upon receiving written justification of:
A determination that failure to grant the waiver would result in exceptional hardship to the applicant; and
A determination that the granting of a waiver will not result in increased flood heights, pose additional threats to public safety, engender extraordinary public expense, create nuisances, cause fraud on or victimization of the public, or conflict with existing local laws or ordinances.
Waivers shall be issued only upon a determination that the waiver is the minimum necessary, considering the flood hazard, to afford relief.
Upon consideration of the factors of Subsection A(3) above and the purposes of this chapter, the Zoning Board of Appeals may attach such conditions to the granting of waivers as it deems necessary to further the purposes of this chapter.
Any applicant to whom a waiver is granted for a building with the lowest floor below the base flood elevation shall be given written notice over the signature of a community official that: the issuance of a waiver 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; and such construction below the base flood level increases risks to life and property. Such notification shall be maintained with the record of all waiver actions as required in § 146-11H of this chapter.
The local administrator shall maintain the records of all appeal actions, including technical information, and report any waivers to the Federal Emergency Management Agency upon request.
Conditions for waivers.
Generally, waivers 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, providing items in § 146-13A(3)(a) through (l) have been fully considered. As the lot size increases beyond the 1/2 acre, the technical justification required for issuing the waiver increases.
Waivers may be issued for the repair or rehabilitation of historic structures upon determination that:
The waiver is the minimum necessary to preserve the historic character and design of the structure.
Waivers 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:
The criteria of § 146-13A(4), (6), (7) and § 146-13B(1) are met.
No structure in an area of special flood hazard shall hereafter be constructed, located, extended, converted, or altered and no land shall be excavated or filled without full compliance with the terms of this chapter and any other applicable regulations. Any infraction of the provisions of this chapter by failure to comply with any of its requirements, including infractions of conditions and safeguards established in connection with conditions of the permit, shall constitute a violation. Any person who violates this chapter or fails to comply with any of its requirements shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined no more than $250 or imprisoned for not more than 15 days, or both. Each day of noncompliance shall be considered a separate offense. Nothing herein contained shall prevent the Village from taking such other lawful action as necessary to prevent or remedy an infraction. Any structure found not compliant with the requirements of this chapter for which the developer and/or owner has not applied for and received an approved waiver under § 146-13 will be declared noncompliant and notification sent to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.