Source: https://www.ecode360.com/31455829
Timestamp: 2018-12-16 15:22:54
Document Index: 475997501

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105']

Township of Knowlton, NJ Flood Damage Prevention
§ 105-1 Statutory authorization.
§ 105-2 Findings of fact.
§ 105-3 Statement of purpose.
§ 105-4 Methods of reducing flood losses.
§ 105-5 Definitions.
§ 105-6 Applicability.
§ 105-7 Basis for establishing areas of special flood hazard.
§ 105-9 Abrogation and greater restrictions.
§ 105-10 Interpretation.
§ 105-11 Warning and disclaimer of liability.
§ 105-12 Administration.
§ 105-13 Provisions for flood hazard reduction.
Chapter 105 Flood Damage Prevention
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Knowlton by Ord. No. 82-10 (Ch. XV of the Revised General Ordinances). Amendments noted where applicable.]
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.
[Amended 9-12-2011 by Ord. No. 11-11]
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.
[Added 9-12-2011 by Ord. No. 11-11]
[Amended by Ord. No. 87-7]
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.
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."
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.
Any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or improvement of a structure, the cost of which exceeds 50% of the market value of the structure before the start of construction of the improvement. This term includes structures which 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 which have been identified by the local code enforcement officer and which are solely necessary to assure safe living conditions; or
This chapter shall apply to all areas of special flood hazards within the jurisdiction of Knowlton Township.
The areas of special flood hazard for the Township of Knowlton, Community No. 340488, are identified and defined on the following documents prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency:
A scientific and engineering report "Flood Insurance Study, Warren County, New Jersey (All Jurisdictions)," dated September 29, 2011;
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.
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.
Establishment of development permit. A development permit shall be obtained before construction of development begins, including placement of manufactured homes, within any area of special flood hazard established in § 105-7. Application for a development permit shall be made to the Township Engineer on forms furnished by him and may include, but not be limited to, the following plans, in duplicate, drawn to scale, showing the nature, location, dimensions and elevations of the area in question; existing or proposed structures, fill, storage of materials and drainage facilities; and the location of the foregoing. Specifically, the following information is required:
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.
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.
Duties and responsibilities of the Township Engineer. Duties of the Township Engineer shall include, but not be limited to:
[Amended by Ord. No. 87-4; 9-12-2011 by Ord. No. 11-11]
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.
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 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.
In passing upon such applications, the Township Committee shall consider all technical evaluations, all relevant factors, standards specified in other sections of this chapter and:
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.
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.
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)[1] through [11] 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.
General standards. In all areas of special flood hazards, the following provisions are required:
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.
Specific standards. In all areas of special flood hazards where base flood elevation data has been provided as set forth in § 105-7, Basis for establishing areas of special flood hazard, or § 105-12C(3), Use of other base flood data, the following standards are required:
Residential construction. New construction or substantial improvement of any residential structure shall:
Have the lowest floor, including basement together with the attendant utilities and sanitary facilities, elevated one foot above the base flood elevation;
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.
Nonresidential construction. New construction or substantial improvement of any commercial, industrial or other nonresidential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement together with attendant utilities and sanitary facilities, either:
Elevated one foot above the base flood elevation; and within any AO Zone on the municipality's DFIRM require that all new construction and substantial improvement of any commercial, industrial or other nonresidential 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; or
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).
Floodways. Located within areas of special flood hazard established in § 105-7 are areas designated as floodways. Since the floodway is an extremely hazardous area due to the velocity of floodwaters which carry debris, potential projectiles and erosion potential, the following provisions apply:
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.