Source: https://www.codepublishing.com/KS/Topeka/html/Topeka17/Topeka1730.html
Timestamp: 2019-12-11 00:52:29
Document Index: 604940524

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 2', '§ 3', '§ 4', '§ 5', '§ 6', '§ 7', '§ 8', '§ 9', '§ 10', '§ 11', '§ 12', '§ 13', '§ 14', '§ 15', '§ 16', '§ 17', '§ 18', '§ 19', '§ 20', '§ 21', '§ 22', '§ 23', '§ 24', '§ 25', '§ 26', '§ 27']

Chapter 17.30 FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT
17.30.010 Definitions.
17.30.020 Penalties for violation of chapter.
17.30.030 Statutory authorization.
17.30.040 Findings of fact.
17.30.050 Statement of purpose.
17.30.060 Compliance.
17.30.070 Lands to which this chapter applies.
17.30.080 Abrogation.
17.30.090 Interpretation.
17.30.100 Warning; disclaimer of liability.
17.30.110 Severability.
17.30.120 Amendments.
17.30.130 Designation of floodplain administrator.
17.30.140 Floodplain administrator – Duties.
17.30.150 Floodplain development permit.
17.30.160 Application.
17.30.170 Nonconforming uses.
17.30.180 General standards.
Article III. Flood Hazard Reduction
17.30.190 Specific standards.
17.30.200 Manufactured homes.
17.30.210 Areas of shallow flooding (AO and AH zones).
17.30.220 Floodway.
17.30.230 Recreational vehicles.
Article IV. Floodplain Management Variance Procedures
17.30.240 Establishment of appeal board.
17.30.250 Floodplain management variance criteria.
17.30.260 Conditions for approving variances.
Cross References: Planning, Chapters 2.65 and 18.05 TMC; manufactured homes and trailers, Chapters 5.95, 5.100 and 14.65 TMC; buildings and building regulations, TMC Title 14; stormwater utility, Chapter 13.25 TMC; comprehensive zoning regulations, TMC Title 18, Division 4; charter ordinances pertaining to flood prevention and protection, Appx. A, § A7-1 et seq.
State Law References: Floodplain regulations, K.S.A. 12-766 – 12-768.
100-Year Flood. See “Base flood.”
Actuarial Rates. See “Risk premium rates.”
“Appeal” means a request for review of the floodplain administrator’s interpretation of any provision of this chapter or a request for a variance.
“Appurtenant structure” means a structure that is on the same parcel of property as the principal structure to be insured and the use of which is incidental to the use of the principal structure.
“Area of shallow flooding” means a designated AO or AH zone on a community’s flood insurance rate map (FIRM) with a one percent 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.
“Basement” means any area of the structure having its floor subgrade (below ground level) on all sides.
“Development” means any manmade change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures, levees, levee systems, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations, or storage of equipment or materials.
“Elevated building” means, for insurance purposes, a nonbasement building which has its lowest elevated floor raised above ground level by foundation walls, shear walls, posts, piers, pilings, or columns.
“Flood” or “flooding” means a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from: (1) the overflow of inland waters; (2) the unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source; and (3) 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 flash flood, or by some similarly unusual and unforeseeable event which results in flooding as defined in subsection (1) of this definition.
“Flood boundary and floodway map (FBFM)” means an official map of a community on which the Administrator has delineated both special flood hazard areas and the designated regulatory floodway.
“Flood elevation determination” means a determination by the Administrator of the water surface elevations of the base flood, that is, the flood level that has a one percent or greater chance of occurrence in any given year.
“Flood elevation study” means an examination, evaluation and determination of flood hazards and if appropriate, corresponding water surface elevations.
“Flood fringe” means the area outside the floodway encroachment lines, but still subject to inundation by the regulatory flood.
“Floodplain management regulations” means zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, building codes, health regulations, special purpose ordinances (such as floodplain and grading ordinances) and other applications of police power. The term describes such state or local regulations, in any combination thereof that provide standards for the purpose of flood damage prevention and reduction.
“Historic structure” means any structure that is (a) listed individually in the National Register of Historic Places (a listing maintained by the Department of the 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 the Interior; or (d) individually listed on a local inventory of 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.
“Lowest floor” means the lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area, including basement. An unfinished or flood-resistant enclosure, usable solely for parking of vehicles, building access, or storage, in an area other than a basement area, is not considered a building’s lowest floor; provided, that such enclosure is not built so as to render the structure in violation of the applicable floodproofing design requirements of this chapter.
“Map” means the flood hazard boundary map (FHBM), flood insurance rate map (FIRM), or the flood boundary and floodway map (FBFM) for a community issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
“NFIP” means the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
“Recreational vehicle” means a vehicle which is (a) built on a single chassis; (b) 400 square feet or less when measured at the largest horizontal projections; (c) designed to be self-propelled or permanently able to be towed by a light-duty truck; and (d) designed primarily not for use as a permanent dwelling but as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel, or seasonal use.
“Risk premium rates” means those rates established by the Administrator pursuant to individual community studies and investigations, which are undertaken to provide flood insurance in accordance with Section 1307 of the National Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 and the accepted actuarial principles. “Risk premium rates” include provisions for operating costs and allowances.
Special Flood Hazard Area. See “Area of special flood hazard.”
“Special hazard area” means an area having special flood hazards and shown on an FHBM, FIRM or FBFM as zones (unnumbered or numbered) A, AO, AE, or AH.
“Start of construction” includes substantial improvements, and means the date the building permit was issued, provided the actual start of construction, repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition placement, or other improvements 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 slabs or footings, the installation of piles, the construction of columns, 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, the installation of streets and/or walkways, excavation for a basement, footings, piers, foundations, the erection of temporary forms, nor installation on the property of accessory structures, 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.
“State coordinating agency” means the Division of Water Resources, Kansas Department of Agriculture, or other office designated by the governor of the state or by state statute at the request of the Administrator to assist in the implementation of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in that state.
“Structure” means, for floodplain management purposes, a walled and roofed building, including a gas or liquid storage tank, that is principally above ground, as well as a manufactured home. “Structure,” for insurance purposes, means a walled and roofed building, other than a gas or liquid storage tank that is principally above ground and affixed to a permanent site, as well as a manufactured home on a permanent foundation, or a travel trailer without wheels on a permanent foundation. For the latter purpose, the term includes a building while in the course of construction, alteration or repair, but does not include building materials or supplies intended for use in such construction, alteration or repair, unless such materials or supplies are within an enclosed building on the premises.
“Substantial damage” means damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the cost of restoring the structure to pre-damaged condition would equal or exceed 50 percent of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred.
“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 term 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 that have been identified by the local code enforcement official and which are the minimum necessary to assure safe living 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.”
“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 by this chapter is presumed to be in violation until such time as that documentation is provided.
“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 floodplain riverine areas. (Ord. 19627 § 2, 8-23-11.)
(a) Violation of the provisions of this chapter or failure to comply with any of its requirements, including violations of conditions and safeguards established in connection with grants of variances or special exceptions, 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 to exceed $499.00 and, in addition, shall pay all costs and expenses involved in the case. Each day such violation continues shall be considered a separate offense.
(b) Nothing contained in this section shall prevent the city or other appropriate authority from taking such other lawful action as is necessary to prevent or remedy any violation. (Ord. 19627 § 3, 8-23-11.)
The legislature of the state of Kansas has in K.S.A. 12-741 et seq., and specifically in K.S.A. 12-766, delegated the responsibility to local governmental units to adopt floodplain management regulations designed to protect the health, safety, and general welfare. (Ord. 19627 § 4, 8-23-11.)
(a) Flood Losses Resulting from Periodic Inundation. The special flood hazard areas of the city are subject to inundation which results in loss of life and 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.
(b) General Causes of the Flood Losses. Flood losses are caused by the cumulative effect of development in any delineated floodplain causing increases in flood heights and velocities; and the occupancy of flood hazard areas by uses vulnerable to floods, hazardous to others, inadequately elevated, or otherwise unprotected from flood damages.
(c) Methods Used to Analyze Flood Hazards. The flood insurance study (FIS) that is the basis of this chapter uses a standard engineering method of analyzing flood hazards, which consist of a series of interrelated steps.
(1) Selection of a base flood that is based upon engineering calculations which permit a consideration of such flood factors as its expected frequency of occurrence, the area inundated, and the depth of inundation. The base flood selected for this chapter is representative of large floods, which are characteristic of what can be expected to occur on the particular streams subject to this chapter. The base flood is the flood that is estimated to have a one percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any one year as delineated on the Federal Insurance Administrator’s FIS, and illustrative materials dated September 29, 2011, as amended, and any future revisions thereto.
(2) Calculation of water surface profiles that are based on a standard hydraulic engineering analysis of the capacity of the stream channel and overbank areas to convey the regulatory flood.
(3) Computation of a floodway required to convey this flood without increasing flood heights more than one foot at any point.
(4) Delineation of floodway encroachment lines within which no development is permitted that would cause any increase in flood height.
(5) Delineation of floodway fringe, i.e., that area outside the floodway encroachment lines, but still subject to inundation by the base flood. (Ord. 19627 § 5, 8-23-11.)
It is the purpose of this chapter to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare; to minimize those losses described in TMC 17.30.040; to establish or maintain the city of Topeka’s eligibility for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) as defined in 44 CFR 59.22(a)(3); and to meet the requirements of 44 CFR 60.3(d) and K.A.R. 5-44-4 by applying the provisions of this chapter to:
(c) Protect individuals from buying lands that are unsuited for the intended development purposes due to the flood hazard. (Ord. 19627 § 6, 8-23-11.)
No development located within the special flood hazard areas of the city shall be located, extended, converted, or structurally altered without full compliance with the terms of this chapter and other applicable regulations. (Ord. 19627 § 7, 8-23-11.)
(a) This chapter shall apply to all lands within the jurisdiction of the city identified as numbered and unnumbered A, AE, AO, and AH zones, on the index map dated September 29, 2011, of the flood insurance rate map (FIRM) as amended and any future revisions thereto and the flood insurance study (FIS). In all areas covered by this chapter, no development shall be permitted except through the issuance of a floodplain development permit, granted by the city council or its duly designated representative under such safeguards and restrictions as the city council or its designated representative may reasonably impose for the promotion and maintenance of the general welfare, health of the inhabitants of the community, and as specifically noted in Article III of this chapter.
(b) In addition, this chapter shall also apply to those lands which, based on the most accurate information available to the development services director, fall within the ultimate 100-year floodplain. (Ord. 19627 § 8, 8-23-11.)
Cross References: Mayor – city council, Chapter 2.15 TMC.
It is not intended by this chapter to repeal, abrogate, or impair any existing easements, covenants, or deed restrictions. However, where this chapter imposes greater restrictions, the provisions of this chapter shall prevail. All other ordinances inconsistent with this chapter are hereby repealed to the extent of the inconsistency only. (Ord. 19627 § 9, 8-23-11.)
In the interpretation and application, the provisions of this chapter shall be held to be minimum requirements and shall not be deemed a limitation or repeal of any other powers granted by Kansas statutes. (Ord. 19627 § 10, 8-23-11.)
The degree of flood protection required by this chapter is considered reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on engineering and scientific methods of study. Larger floods may occur on rare occasions or the flood heights may be increased by manmade or natural causes, such as ice jams and bridge openings restricted by debris. This chapter does not imply that areas outside the floodway and flood fringe or land uses permitted within such areas will be free from flooding or flood damage. This chapter shall not create a liability on the part of the city or any officer or employee thereof, for any flood damages that may result from reliance on this chapter or any administrative decision lawfully made thereunder. (Ord. 19627 § 11, 8-23-11.)
If any section, clause, provision, or portion of this chapter is adjudged unconstitutional or invalid by a court of appropriate jurisdiction, the remainder of this chapter shall not be affected thereby. (Ord. 19627 § 12, 8-23-11.)
The regulations, restrictions, and boundaries set forth in this chapter may from time to time be amended, supplemented, changed, or appealed to reflect any and all changes in the National Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973; provided, however, that no such action may be taken until after a public hearing in relation thereto, at which parties of interest and citizens shall have an opportunity to be heard. Notice of the time and place of such hearing shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the city. At least 20 days shall elapse between the date of this publication and the public hearing. A copy of such amendments will be provided to the FEMA Region VII office. The regulations of this chapter are in compliance with the NFIP regulations. (Ord. 19627 § 13, 8-23-11.)
The development services director is hereby appointed to administer and implement this chapter as the floodplain administrator. (Ord. 19627 § 14, 8-23-11.)
Cross References: Director of development services, TMC 2.50.020.
The duties of the floodplain administrator shall include, but not be limited to:
(e) Notify adjacent communities and the Division of Water Resources, Kansas Department of Agriculture, prior to any alteration or relocation of a watercourse, and submit evidence of such notification to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA);
(f) Assure that the flood-carrying capacity is not diminished and shall be maintained within the altered or relocated portion of any watercourse;
(g) Verify and maintain a record of the actual elevation (in relation to mean sea level) of the lowest floor, including basement, of all new or substantially improved structures;
(h) Verify and maintain a record of the actual elevation (in relation to mean sea level) that the new or substantially improved nonresidential structures have been floodproofed; and
(i) When floodproofing techniques are utilized for a particular nonresidential structure, the floodplain administrator shall require certification from a registered professional engineer or architect. (Ord. 19627 § 15, 8-23-11.)
A floodplain development permit shall be required for all proposed construction or other development, including the placement of manufactured homes, in the areas described in TMC 17.30.070. No person, firm, corporation, or unit of government shall initiate any development or substantial improvement or cause the same to be done without first obtaining a separate floodplain development permit for each structure or other development. (Ord. 19627 § 16, 8-23-11.)
(a) Describe the land on which the proposed work is to be done by lot, block and tract, house and street address, or similar description that will readily identify and specifically locate the proposed structure or work;
(e) Specify whether development is located in designated flood fringe or floodway;
(f) Identify the existing base flood elevation and the elevation of the proposed development;
(g) Give such other information as reasonably may be required by the floodplain administrator;
(h) Be accompanied by plans and specifications for proposed construction; and
(i) Be signed by the permittee or his authorized agent who may be required to submit evidence to indicate such authority. (Ord. 19627 § 17, 8-23-11.)
A structure, or the use of a structure or premises that was lawful before the passage or amendment of this chapter, but which is not in conformity with the provisions of this chapter, may be continued subject to the following conditions:
(a) If such structure, use, or utility service is discontinued for 12 consecutive months, any future use of the building shall conform to this chapter.
(b) If any nonconforming use or structure is destroyed by any means, including flood, it shall not be reconstructed if the cost is more than 50 percent of the pre-damaged market value of the structure. This limitation does not include the cost of any alteration to comply with existing state or local health, sanitary, building, safety codes, regulations or the cost of any alteration of a structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the State Inventory of Historic Places, or local inventory of historic places upon determination. (Ord. 19627 § 18, 8-23-11.)
(a) No permit for floodplain development shall be granted for new construction, substantial improvements, and other improvements, including the placement of manufactured homes, within any numbered or unnumbered A, AE, AO, and AH zones, unless the conditions of this article are satisfied.
(b) All areas identified as unnumbered A zones on the FIRM are subject to inundation of the 100-year flood; however, the base flood elevation is not provided. Development within unnumbered A zones is subject to all provisions of this chapter. If flood insurance study data is not available, the floodplain administrator shall obtain, review, and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation or floodway data currently available from federal, state, or other sources.
(c) Until a floodway is designated, no new construction, substantial improvements, or other development, including fill, shall be permitted within any unnumbered or numbered A zones, or AE zones on the 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.
(d) All new construction, subdivision proposals, substantial improvements, prefabricated structures, placement of manufactured homes, and other developments shall require:
(5) New or replacement water supply systems and/or sanitary sewage systems be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood waters into the systems and discharges from the systems into flood waters, and on-site waste disposal systems be located so as to avoid impairment or contamination from them during flooding; and
(iv) All proposals for development, including proposals for manufactured home parks and subdivisions, of five acres or 50 lots, whichever is lesser, include within such proposals base flood elevation data.
(e) The storage or processing of materials within the special flood hazard area that are in time of flooding buoyant, flammable, explosive, or could be injurious to human, animal, or plant life is prohibited. Storage of other material or equipment may be allowed if not subject to major damage by floods, if firmly anchored to prevent flotation, or if readily removable from the area within the time available after a flood warning. (Ord. 19627 § 19, 8-23-11.)
(a) In all areas identified as numbered and unnumbered A, AE, and AH zones, where base flood elevation data have been provided, as set forth in TMC 17.30.170(b), the following provisions are required:
(1) Residential Construction. New construction or substantial improvement of any residential structures, including manufactured homes, shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated a minimum of one foot above base flood elevation. The elevation of the lowest floor shall be certified by a licensed land surveyor or professional engineer.
(2) Nonresidential Construction. New construction or substantial improvement of any commercial, industrial, or other nonresidential structures, including manufactured homes, shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated a minimum of one foot above the base flood elevation or, together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, be dry floodproofed to a minimum of one foot above the base flood elevation. A registered professional engineer or architect shall certify that the standards of this subsection are satisfied. The elevation of the lowest floor shall be certified by a licensed land surveyor or professional engineer. Such certification shall be provided to the floodplain administrator as set forth in TMC 17.30.140(i).
(3) Require for all new construction and substantial improvements that fully enclosed areas below lowest floor used solely for parking of vehicles, building access, or storage in an area other than a basement and 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 flood waters. 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; and
(ii) The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above grade. Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, valves, or other coverings or devices; provided, that they permit the automatic entry and exit of flood waters. (Ord. 19627 § 20, 8-23-11.)
(a) All manufactured homes to be placed within all unnumbered and numbered A, AE, and AH zones on the community’s FIRM shall be required to be installed using methods and practices that 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 wind forces.
(b) Require manufactured homes that are placed or substantially improved within unnumbered or numbered A, AE, and AH zones, on the community’s FIRM on sites:
(4) In an existing manufactured home park or subdivision on which a manufactured home has incurred substantial damage as the result of a flood, be elevated on a permanent foundation such that the lowest floor of the manufactured home is elevated a minimum of one foot above the base flood elevation and be securely attached to an adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation, collapse, and lateral movement. The elevation of the lowest floor shall be certified by a licensed land surveyor or professional engineer.
(c) Require that manufactured homes to be placed or substantially improved on sites in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision within all unnumbered and numbered A, AE and AH zones, on the community’s FIRM, that are not subject to the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, be elevated so that either:
(2) 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 attached to an adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation, collapse, and lateral movement. The elevation of the lowest floor shall be certified by a licensed land surveyor or professional engineer. (Ord. 19627 § 21, 8-23-11.)
Located within the areas of special flood hazard as described in TMC 17.30.070 are areas designated as AO and AH zones. These areas have special flood hazards associated with base flood depths of one to three feet where a clearly defined channel does not exist and where the path of flooding is unpredictable and indeterminate. The following provisions apply:
(a) AO Zones.
(1) All new construction and substantial improvements of residential structures, including manufactured homes, shall 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 city’s FIRM (at least two feet if no depth number is specified).
(2) All new construction and substantial improvements of any commercial, industrial, or other nonresidential structures, including manufactured homes, shall 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 city’s FIRM (at least two feet if no depth number is specified) or together with attendant utilities and sanitary facilities be completely floodproofed to that level so that 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.
(3) Adequate drainage paths shall be required around structures on slopes, in order to guide floodwaters around and away from proposed structures.
(b) AH Zones.
(1) The specific standards for all areas of special flood hazard where base flood elevation has been provided shall be required as set forth in TMC 17.30.190.
(2) Adequate drainage paths shall be required around structures on slopes, in order to guide floodwaters around and away from proposed structures. (Ord. 19627 § 22, 8-23-11.)
Located within areas of special flood hazard established in TMC 17.30.070 are areas designated as floodways. Since the floodway is an extremely hazardous area due to the velocity of floodwaters that carry debris and potential projectiles, the following provisions shall apply:
(a) The city shall select and adopt a regulatory floodway based on the principle that the area chosen for the regulatory floodway must be designed to carry the waters of the base flood without increasing the water surface elevation of that flood more than one foot at any point.
(b) The city shall prohibit any encroachments, 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.
(c) If subsection (b) of this section is satisfied, all new construction and substantial improvements shall comply with all applicable flood hazard reduction provisions of Article III of this chapter.
(d) In unnumbered A zones, the city shall obtain, review, and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation or floodway data currently available from federal, state, or other sources as set forth in TMC 17.30.180(b). (Ord. 19627 § 23, 8-23-11.)
(a) Recreational vehicles placed on sites within all unnumbered and numbered A, AE, AH, and AO zones on the community’s FIRM shall either:
(3) Meet the permitting, elevation, and anchoring requirements for manufactured homes of this chapter.
(b) 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. (Ord. 19627 § 24, 8-23-11.)
(a) The board of zoning appeals (board) shall hear and decide appeals and requests for variances from the floodplain management requirements of this chapter.
(b) Where an application for a floodplain development permit is denied by the floodplain administrator, the applicant may apply for such floodplain development permit directly to the board.
(c) The board shall hear and decide appeals when it is alleged that there is an error in any requirement, decision, or determination made by the floodplain administrator in the enforcement or administration of this chapter.
(d) Any person aggrieved by the decision of the board may appeal such decision to the district court as provided in K.S.A. 12-759 and 12-760. (Ord. 19627 § 25, 8-23-11.)
Cross References: Board of zoning appeals, TMC 2.45.010.
In reviewing applications for variances, the board shall consider all technical data and evaluations, all relevant factors, standards specified in other sections of this chapter, and the following criteria:
(a) Danger to life and property due to flood damage;
(b) Danger that materials may be swept onto other lands to the injury of others;
(c) Susceptibility of the proposed facility and its contents to flood damage and the effect of such damage on the individual owner;
(d) Importance of the services provided by the proposed facility to the community;
(e) Necessity to the facility of a waterfront location, where applicable;
(f) Availability of alternative locations, not subject to flood damage, for the proposed use;
(g) Compatibility of the proposed use with existing and anticipated development;
(h) Relationship of the proposed use to the comprehensive plan and floodplain management program for that area;
(i) Safety of access to the property in times of flood for ordinary and emergency vehicles;
(j) Expected heights, velocity, duration, rate of rise and sediment transport of the flood waters, if applicable, expected at the site; and
(k) 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; streets; and bridges. (Ord. 19627 § 26, 8-23-11.)
(a) Generally, 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 elevation, providing subsections (b) through (f) of this section have been fully considered. As the lot size increases beyond the one-half acre, the technical justification required for issuing the variance increases.
(b) Variances may be issued for the reconstruction, repair, rehabilitation, or restoration of structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the State Inventory of Historic Places, or local inventory of historic places upon determination, provided the proposed activity will not preclude the structure’s continued historic designation and the variance is the minimum necessary to preserve the historic character and design of the structure.
(c) Variances shall not be issued within any designated floodway if any significant increase in flood discharge would result.
(e) Variances shall only be issued upon: (1) showing of good and sufficient cause, (2) determination that failure to grant the variance would result in exceptional hardship to the applicant, and (3) 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.
(f) The development services director shall notify the applicant that: (1) the issuance of a variance to construct a structure below base flood level will result in increased premium rates for flood insurance up to amounts as high as $25.00 for $100.00 of insurance coverage and (2) such construction below the base flood level increases risks to life and property. Such notification shall be maintained with the record of all variance actions as required by this chapter. (Ord. 19627 § 27, 8-23-11.)