Source: https://ecode360.com/28595030
Timestamp: 2018-09-21 13:53:29
Document Index: 435757333

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 259', '§ 259', '§ 259', '§ 259', '§ 259', '§ 259', '§ 259', '§ 259', '§ 259', '§ 259', '§ 259', '§ 259', '§ 259', '§ 259', '§ 259', '§ 259', '§ 259', '§ 259', '§ 259', '§ 1', '§ 259', '§ 259', '§ 259', '§ 259', '§ 259', '§ 259', '§ 259', '§ 259', '§ 259', '§ 259', '§ 259', '§ 259', '§ 259', '§ 259']

Township of Mine Hill, NJ Flood Damage Prevention
§ 259-1 Statutory authority.
§ 259-2 Findings.
§ 259-3 Purpose.
§ 259-4 Definitions.
§ 259-5 Applicability.
§ 259-6 Basis for establishing areas of special flood hazard.
§ 259-7 Violations and penalties.
§ 259-8 Abrogation and greater restrictions.
§ 259-9 Interpretation.
§ 259-10 Warning; disclaimer of liability.
§ 259-11 Development permits.
§ 259-12 Designation of local administrator.
§ 259-13 Duties and responsibilities of local administrator.
§ 259-14 Appeals Board.
§ 259-15 Variances.
§ 259-16 General provisions for flood hazard reduction.
§ 259-17 Specific provisions for flood hazard reduction.
§ 259-18 Floodways.
Chapter 259: Flood Damage Prevention
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Mine Hill 3-18-1993 by Ord. No. 499-93. Amendments noted where applicable.]
Uniform construction codes — See Ch. 195.
Land use — See Ch. 310.
Soil erosion and sediment control — See Ch. 444.
Stormwater management — See Ch. 465.
Chapter 259 : Flood Damage Prevention
The Legislature of the State of New Jersey has, in N.J.S.A. 40:48-1 et seq., delegated the responsibility to local government units to adopt regulations designed to promote public health, safety and general welfare of its citizenry.
The flood hazard areas of the Township of Mine Hill 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 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 which increase flood heights and velocities and damage inadequately anchored uses in other areas. Uses that are inadequately floodproofed, elevated or otherwise protected from flood damage also contribute to the flood loss.
A request for a review of the Township Construction Official's, or any alternate so designated by the Township Council ("the local administrator's"), interpretation of any provision of this chapter or a request for a variance, relating to land within the AO, AH or VO Zone on the FIRM as described below.
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 depth of one to three feet where a clearly defined channel does not exist, the path of flooding is unpredictable and velocity flow may be evident. This form of flooding is generally characterized by ponding or sheet flow.
A nonbasement building which is:
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 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.
Zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, building codes, health regulations, special purpose ordinances (such as a floodplain ordinance, grading ordinance and erosion control ordinance) and other relevant applications of police power. The term describes such state or local regulations, in any combination thereof, which provide standards for the purpose of flood damage prevention and reduction.
The lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area (including basement). An unfinished or flood-resistant enclosure, usable solely for the parking of vehicles, building access or storage in an area other than a basement, is not considered a building's lowest floor, provided that such enclosure is not built so to render the structure in violation of other applicable nonelevation design requirements.
A structure, transportable in one or more sections, which is built on a permanent chassis and is designed for use with or without permanent foundation when attached to the required utilities. The term "manufactured home" does not include a recreational vehicle.
Structures for which the start of construction commenced on or after May 3, 1993, or the effective date of this chapter, whichever shall be earlier.
Contains 400 square feet or less when measured at the longest horizontal projections;
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 the actual start of construction, repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, placement, or other improvement was within 180 days of the permit date. Indicia of the actual start shall include but not be limited to 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 shall not include land preparation, such as clearing, grading and filling, nor shall it include the installation of streets and/or walkways, nor shall it include excavation for a basement, footings or piers, or foundations or the erection of temporary footings or piers, or foundations or the erection of temporary forms, nor shall 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 shall include but not be limited to 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.
Includes a walled and roofed building, a manufactured home, or a gas or liquid storage tank that is principally above ground.
Any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other 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 shall not, however, include either:
Any project for improvement of a structure to correct existing violations of state and 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
This chapter shall apply to all areas of special flood hazard within the jurisdiction of the Township of Mine Hill.
The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal Insurance Administration in a scientific and engineering report entitled the "Flood Insurance Study for the Township of Mine Hill," dated May 3, 1993, with accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Maps and Flood Boundary-Floodway Maps, is hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this chapter. The Flood Insurance Study is on file with the Clerk of the Township of Mine Hill at 10 Baker Street, Mine Hill, New Jersey 07801.
§ 259-7 Violations and penalties. [1]
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. Violations 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 subject to the penalty in § 1-3, General penalty, of the Code of the Township of Mine Hill and, in addition, shall pay all costs and expenses involved in the case. Nothing herein contained shall prevent the Township of Mine Hill from taking such other lawful action as is necessary to prevent or remedy any violation.
This chapter is not intended to repeal, abrogate, or impair any existing easements, covenants, or deed restrictions. However, where this chapter and other ordinance, easement, covenant or deed restriction conflict or overlap, whichever imposes the more stringent restrictions shall prevail. This chapter shall not, in whole or in part, be construed to abrogate or otherwise impair a more restrictive easement, covenant or deed restriction. In any case, an affected party will be required to satisfy all of the covenants and restrictions associated with the chain of title as well as the requirements of the chapter, and neither the restrictions nor the chapter are understood to abrogate or otherwise modify the other.
This chapter shall not create liability on the part of the Township of Mine Hill, any officer or employee thereof or the Federal Insurance Administration 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 § 259-6. Application for a development permit shall be made on forms furnished by the Mine Hill Township Administrator 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:
Certification by a registered professional engineer or architect that the floodproofing methods for any nonresidential structure meet the floodproofing criteria; and
The Township Administrator is hereby appointed to administer and implement this chapter by granting or denying development permit applications in accordance with its provisions.
Permit review. The local administrator shall:
Review all development permits to determine if the proposed development is located in the floodway and to ensure that the encroachment provisions of this chapter are met.
Use of other base flood and floodway data. Where base flood elevation and floodway data has not been provided in accordance with § 259-6, Basis for establishing 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 § 259-17A, specific standards for residential construction, and § 259-17B, specific standards for nonresidential construction.
Obtain and record the actual elevation (in relation to mean sea level) of the lowest floor (including basement) of all new or substantially improved structures, whether or not the structure contains a basement.
Maintain the floodproofing certifications required in § 259-11C.
Notify adjacent communities and the State Department of Environmental Protection, Floodplain Management Section, prior to any alteration or relocation of a watercourse, and submit evidence of such notification to the Federal Insurance Administration.[1]
Interpretation of FIRM boundaries. The local administrator shall 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 § 259-14.
The Planning Board as established by the Township of Mine Hill 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 there is an error in any requirement, decision, or determination made by the local administrator 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 Superior Court, Law Division, pursuant to the rules of court governing such appeals.
The danger of life and property due to flooding or erosion damage;
The relationship of the proposed use with existing and anticipated development;
Upon consideration of the factors 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 local administrator shall maintain the records of all appeal actions, including technical information, and report any variances to the Federal Insurance Administration upon request.
Generally, variances may be issued for new construction and substantial improvements to be erected on a lot of 1/2 acre or less in size contiguous to and surrounded by lots with existing structures constructed below the base flood level, providing items in § 259-14D(1) through (11) 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 § 259-14D or conflict with existing local laws or ordinances.
General standards. In all areas of special flood hazard, the following standards are required:
All new construction and substantial improvements shall be anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement of the structure;
All manufactured homes shall be anchored to resist flotation, collapse or lateral movement. Methods of anchoring may include, but are not to be 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;
All new construction and substantial improvements shall be constructed with materials and utility equipment resistant to flood damage;
All new construction and substantial improvements shall be constructed using methods and practices that minimize flood damage;
Subdivision proposals. All subdivision proposals shall:
Have public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical, and water systems located and constructed to minimize flood damage;
Provide base flood elevation data for all subdivision proposals and other proposed development which contain at least 50 lots or five acres (whichever is less).
In all areas of special flood hazard where base flood elevation data have been provided as set forth in § 259-6, Basis for establishing areas of special flood hazard, or in § 259-13B, Use of other base flood and floodway data, the following standards are required:
Residential construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above the base flood elevation.
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 § 259-13C(2).
Manufactured homes shall be anchored in accordance with § 259-16.
Located within areas of special flood hazard established in § 259-6 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:
Encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements, and other development, shall be prohibited unless a technical evaluation demonstrates that encroachment 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 flood hazard reduction provisions of §§ 259-16 through 259-17 shall apply.
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 and 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 of a foot at any point.