Source: https://ecode360.com/11320583
Timestamp: 2019-11-17 14:42:54
Document Index: 330325978

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216']

Borough of River Edge, NJ Flood Damage Prevention
§ 216-1 Statutory authorization.
§ 216-2 Findings.
§ 216-3 Purpose.
§ 216-4 Methods of reducing flood losses.
§ 216-6 Lands to which this chapter applies.
§ 216-7 Basis for establishing areas of special flood hazard.
§ 216-9 Abrogation and greater restrictions.
§ 216-10 Interpretation.
§ 216-11 Warning and disclaimer of liability.
§ 216-12 Establishment of development permit.
§ 216-13 Designation of local administrator.
§ 216-14 Duties and responsibilities of local administrator.
§ 216-15 Alteration of watercourses.
§ 216-16 Interpretation of FIRM boundaries.
§ 216-17 Appeals Board.
§ 216-18 Variances.
§ 216-19 General standards.
§ 216-20 Specific standards.
§ 216-21 Floodways.
Chapter 216 Flood Damage Prevention
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of River Edge 9-6-1983 as Ord. No. 844. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Legislature of the State of New Jersey has, in N.J.S.A. 40:48-1, et seq. and 40:55D-1 et seq., delegated the responsibility to local governmental units to adopt regulations designed to promote the public health, safety and general welfare of its citizenry. Therefore, the Mayor and Council of River Edge, State of New Jersey, does ordain as follows:
The flood hazard areas of River Edge are subject to periodic inundation which results in loss of life and property, health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and governmental services, extraordinary public expenditures of 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 which increase flood heights and velocities and, when inadequately anchored, damages uses in other areas. Uses that are inadequately floodproofed, elevated or otherwise protected from flood damage also contribute to the flood loss.
To help maintain a stable tax based by providing for the second use and development of areas of special flood hazard so as to minimize future flood-blight areas;
Controlling the alteration of natural floodplains, stream channels and natural protective barriers, which help accommodate or channel floodwaters;
Unless specifically defined below, words or phrases used in this chapter shall be interpreted so as to give them the meaning they have in common usage and to give this chapter its most reasonable application. As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
The land in the floodplain within a community subject to a one-percent or greater change of flooding in any given year.
[Added 4-6-1987 by Ord. No. 928]
[Amended 8-7-1995 by Ord. No. 1141]
A nonbasement building built, in the case of a building in an area of special flood hazard, to have the top of the elevated floor, or, in the case of a building in a coastal high hazard area, to have the bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member 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 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. In areas of coastal high hazard, "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.
The official map on which the Federal Insurance Administration has delineated both the areas of special flood hazards and the risk-premium zones applicable to the community.
[Added 8-7-1995 by Ord. No. 1141]
Certified or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as contributing to the historical significance of a registered historic district preliminarily determined by the Secretary to qualify as a registered district;
The lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area (including basement). An unfinished or flood-resistant enclosure, usable solely for the parking of vehicles, 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.
[Amended 4-6-1987 by Ord. No. 928]
[Added 4-6-1987 by Ord. No. 928; amended 8-7-1995 by Ord. No. 1141]
A vehicle which is built on a single chassis; 400 square feet or less when measured at the longest horizontal projection; 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.
START OF CONSTRUCTION (for other than new construction or substantial improvements under the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (P.L. No. 97-348)
Includes substantial improvements and means the date the building permit was issued, provided that 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 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 or 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 effects the external dimensions of the building.
[Amended 4-6-1987 by Ord. No. 928; 8-7-1995 by Ord. No. 1141]
A walled or roofed building, a mobile home, or a gas or liquid storage tank, that is principally above ground.
Any projects 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 the minimum necessary to assure safe living conditions; or
Any alteration of an historic structure, provided that the alteration will not preclude the structure's continued designation as a historic structure.
This chapter shall apply to all areas of special flood hazard within the jurisdiction of the Borough of River Edge.
[Amended 8-7-1995 by Ord. No. 1141; 9-30-2005 by Ord. No. 1508]
The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in its scientific and engineering report entitled “Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report for the Borough of River Edge” with accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Maps, is hereby adopted by reference and made a part of this chapter. The Flood Insurance Study and the Flood Insurance Rate Map are on file; Map Panels 34003C0183, 34003C0184, 34003C0191 and 34003C0192, effective September 30, 2005.
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.
Nothing herein contained shall prevent the Borough of River Edge from taking such 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 that land outside the area of special flood hazards or uses permitted with such areas will be free from flooding or flood damages. This chapter shall not create liability on the part of the Borough of River Edge, any officer or employee thereof or the Federal Insurance Administrations, for any flood damages that result from reliance on this chapter or any administrative decision lawfully made thereunder.
A development permit shall be obtained before construction or development begins within any area of special flood hazard established in § 216-7. Application for a development permit shall be made on forms furnished by the Construction Official and may include but not be limited to: 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, drainage, facilities; and the location of the foregoing. Specifically, the following information is required:
The elevation in relation to mean sea level of the lowest floor (including basement) of all structures;
The elevation in relation to mean sea level to which any structure has been floodproofed;
Certification by a registered professional engineer or architect that the floodproofing methods for any nonresidential structure meet the floodproofing criteria in § 216-19; and
Duties of the Construction Official as local administrator shall include but not be limited to:
Permit review;
Review all development permits to determine if the proposed development is located in the floodway. If located in the floodway, assure that the encroachment provisions of § 216-20 are met.
Use of other base flood data. When base flood elevation and floodway data has not been provided in accordance with § 216-7, Basis for establishing the areas of special flood hazard, the local administrator 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 § 216-20A, Residential construction, and § 216-20B, Nonresidential construction.
Maintain the floodproofing certifications required in § 216-12C.
Notify adjacent communities and the state coordinating agency prior to any alteration or relocation of a watercourse, and submit evidence of such notification to the Federal Insurance Administration.
Make interpretation, where needed, as to the exact location of the boundaries of the areas of special flood hazard (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 § 216-17.
The Planning Board as established by the Borough of River Edge shall hear and decide appeals and requests for variances from the requirements of this chapter.
The Planning Board shall hear and decide appeals when it is alleged that there is an error in any requirements, decision or determination made by the Construction Official in the enforcement or administration of this chapter.
Those aggrieved by the decision of the Planning Board, or any taxpayer, may appeal such decision to the Mayor and Council.
The danger that materials may be swept onto other land to the injury of others;
Upon consideration of the facts of Subsection D and the purposes of this chapter, the Planning Board may attach such conditions to the granting of variances as it deems necessary to further the purposes of this chapter.
The Planning Board shall maintain the records of all appeal actions, including technical information, and report any variances to the Federal Insurance Administration upon request.
Variances may be issued for the repair or rehabilitation of historic structures upon determination that the proposed repair or rehabilitation will not preclude the structure's continued designation as an historic structure and the variance is the minimum necessary to preserve the historic character and design of the structure.
Variances shall be only issued upon:
A determination that the granting of a variance will not result in increased flood heights, additional threats to public safety or extraordinary public expense, create nuisances or cause fraud on or victimization of the public as identified in § 216-17D 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 floor elevation below the base flood elevation and that the costs of flood insurance will be commensurate with the increased risk resulting from the reduced lowest floor elevation.
Base flood elevation data shall be provided for subdivision proposals and other proposed development which contain at least 50 lots or five (5) acres (whichever is less).
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 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.
In all areas of special flood hazard where base flood elevation data have been provided as set forth in § 216-7, Basis for establishing the areas of special flood hazard, or in § 216-14B, Use of other base flood data, the following standards are required:
Residential construction. New construction and substantial improvement of a residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above the base flood elevation.
Nonresidential construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any commercial, industrial or other residential structure shall either have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to the level of the base flood elevation; or, together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, shall:
Be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect that the standards of this subsection are satisfied. Such certifications shall be provided to the official as set forth in § 216-14C(2).
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 § 216-14C(2).
Mobile homes shall be anchored in accordance with § 216-19A(2).
Located within areas of special flood hazard established in § 216-7 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:
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 A is satisfied, all new construction and substantial improvements shall comply with all applicable flood hazard reduction provisions of §§ 216-19 through 216-21.