Source: https://ecode360.com/6415527
Timestamp: 2019-10-18 14:09:04
Document Index: 485088458

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', '§ 27']

Town of Monroe, NY Flood Damage Prevention
§ 27B-1 Findings.
§ 27B-2 Statement of purpose.
§ 27B-3 Objectives.
§ 27B-4 Definitions.
§ 27B-5 Applicability.
§ 27B-6 Basis for establishing areas of special flood hazard.
§ 27B-7 Interpretation; conflict with other provisions.
§ 27B-8 Penalties for offenses.
§ 27B-9 Warning and disclaimer of liability.
§ 27B-10 Designation of local administrator.
§ 27B-11 Floodplain development permits.
§ 27B-12 Duties and responsibilities of local administrator.
§ 27B-13 General standards.
§ 27B-14 Specific standards.
§ 27B-15 Appeals board.
§ 27B-16 Conditions for variances.
Chapter 27B Flood Damage Prevention
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Monroe 6-1-2009 by L.L. No. 1-2009.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
Conservation Commission — See Ch. 3.
Lakefront lands — See Ch. 32.
Storm sewers — See Ch. 33.
Soil erosion and sedimentation control — See Ch. 44.
Stormwater, soil erosion and sediment control — See Ch. 46.
Wetlands — See Ch. 57.
Subdivision of Land Regulations — See Ch. A65.
Editor's Note: This local law also provided for the repeal of former Ch. 27B, Flood Damage Prevention, adopted 1-22-2001 by L.L. No. 1-2001.
The Town Board of the Town of Monroe finds that the potential and/or actual damages from flooding and erosion may be a problem to the residents of the Town of Monroe 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 enacted.
Control the alteration of natural floodplains, stream channels and natural protective barriers which are involved in the accommodation of floodwaters;
To minimize damage to public facilities such as water and gas mains, electric, telephone, and sewer lines, and streets and bridges located in areas of special flood hazard;
Unless specifically defined below, words or phrases used in this chapter shall be interpreted so as to give them the meanings they have in common usage and to give this chapter its most reasonable application:
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, 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, A1-A30, A99, V, VO, VE or V1-V30. It is also commonly referred to as the "base floodplain" or "one-hundred-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."
A nonbasement building built, in the case of a building in Zone 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 Zone V1-V30, VE or V, to have the bottom of the lowest horizontal structural 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 Zone 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 Zone 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.
The overflow of inland or tidal water; or
"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 a similarly unusual and unforeseeable event which results in flooding as defined in Subsection A(1) above.
Any land area susceptible to being inundated by water from any source (see definition of "flood or flooding").
The person appointed by the Town to administer and implement this chapter by granting or denying development permits in accordance with its provisions.
The lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area, including a basement or cellar. 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 nonelevation design requirements of this chapter.
A parcel or contiguous parcels of land divided into two or more manufactured home lots for rent or sale.
For purposes of the National Flood Insurance Program, the National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) of 1929, the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88) or other datum to which base flood elevations shown on a community's Flood Insurance Rate Map are referenced.
Structures for which the start of construction commenced on or after the effective date of a floodplain management regulation adopted by the Town, and includes any subsequent improvements to such structure.
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 § 27B-12B of this chapter.
The date of permit issuance for new construction and substantial improvements to existing structures, provided that the 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 (including a manufactured home) on a site, such as the pouring of a slab or footings, installation of pilings or construction of columns. 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. 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 or roofed building, including a gas or liquid storage tank, that is primarily above ground, as well as a manufactured home.
This chapter shall apply to all areas of special flood hazard within the jurisdiction of the Town of Monroe, Orange County.
The areas of special flood hazard for the Town of Monroe, Community Number 360621, are identified and defined on the following documents prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency:
Flood Insurance Rate Map Panel Numbers: 36071C0477E, 36071C0478E, 36071C0479E, 36071C0481E, 36071C0482E, 36071C0483E, 36071C0484E, 36071C0486E, 36071C0487E, 36071C0488E, 36071C0489E, 36071C0491E, 36071C0492E and 36071C0493E, whose effective date is August 3, 2009, and any subsequent revisions to these map panels that do not affect areas under our community's jurisdiction.
A scientific and engineering report entitled "Flood Insurance Study, Orange County, New York," dated August 3, 2009.
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 in the Town Clerk's and Building Inspector's offices at Town Hall, 11 Stage Road, Monroe, New York 10950.
In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this chapter shall be held to be minimum requirements adopted for the promotion of the public health, safety and welfare. Whenever the requirements of this chapter are at variance with the requirements of any other lawfully adopted rules, regulations, ordinances, or local laws, the most restrictive or that imposing the higher standards shall govern.
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 Town of Monroe 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 variance under §§ 27B-15 and 27B-16 will be declared noncompliant, and notification will be sent to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
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 areas of special flood hazard or uses permitted within such areas will be free from flooding or flood damage. This chapter shall not create liability on the part of the Town of Monroe, 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 thereunder.
The Building Inspector of the Town of Monroe is hereby appointed local administrator to administer and implement this chapter by granting or denying floodplain development permits in accordance with its provisions.
A floodplain development permit is hereby established for all construction and other development to be undertaken in areas of special flood hazard in the Town of Monroe for the purpose of protecting its citizens from increased flood hazards and ensuring 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 § 27B-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.
All applications for a floodplain development permit shall be accompanied by an application fee as set forth in Chapter 26B of the Code of the Town of Monroe. In addition, the applicant shall be responsible for reimbursing the Town of Monroe for any additional costs necessary for review, inspection and approval of the project. The local administrator may require a deposit of no more than $500 to cover these additional costs.
The proposed elevation, in relation to mean sea level, of the lowest floor, including basement or cellar, of any new or substantially improved structure to be located in Zone A1-A30, AE, or AH, or Zone A if base flood elevation data are available. Upon completion of the lowest floor, the permittee shall submit to the local administrator the as-built elevation, certified by a licensed professional engineer or surveyor.
The proposed elevation, in relation to mean sea level, to which any new or substantially improved nonresidential structure will be floodproofed. Upon completion of the floodproofed portion of the structure, the permittee shall submit to the local administrator the as-built floodproofed elevation, certified by a licensed professional engineer or surveyor.
A certificate from a licensed professional engineer or architect that any utility floodproofing will meet the criteria in § 27B-13E.
A certificate from a licensed professional engineer or architect that any nonresidential floodproofed structure will meet the floodproofing criteria in § 27B-14B.
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 to revise the documents enumerated in § 27B-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 form other sources, base flood elevation data shall be provided by the permit application for subdivision proposals and other proposed developments, including proposals for manufactured home and recreational vehicle parks and subdivisions that are greater than either 50 lots or five acres.
Review all applications for completeness, particularly with the requirements of § 27B-11C and for compliance with the provisions and standards of this chapter.
Review subdivision and other proposed new development, including manufactured home parks, 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 §§ 27B-13 and 27B-14 and, in particular § 27B-13A.
Determine whether any proposed development in an area of special flood hazard may result in physical damage to any other property (e.g., stream bank 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 §§ 27B-13 and 27B-14, 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.
When the Federal Emergency Management Agency has designated areas of special flood hazard on the Town's Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) but has neither produced water surface elevation data (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, state or other source, including data developed pursuant to § 27B-11C(7), as criteria for requiring that new construction, substantial improvements or other proposed development meet the requirements of this chapter.
Determine that the permit holder has provided for maintenance within the altered or relocated portion of said watercourse so that flood-carrying capacity is not diminished.
In Zones A1-A30, AE, and AH, and also Zone A if base flood elevation data are available, upon the 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 the same. For manufactured homes, the permit holder shall submit the certificate of elevation upon placement of the structure on the site. A certificate of elevation must also be submitted for a recreational vehicle if it remains on site for 180 consecutive days or longer, unless it is fully licensed and ready for highway use.
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 § 27B-8 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 § 27B-8 of this chapter.
In areas of special flood hazard, as determined by documents enumerated in § 27B-6, it shall be unlawful to occupy or to permit the occupancy or use of any building or premises, or both, or part thereof hereafter created, erected, changed, converted or wholly or partially 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.
Issuance of the certificate shall be based upon inspections conducted as prescribed in § 27B-12E, and/or any certified elevations, hydraulic data, floodproofing, anchoring requirements or encroachment analyses which may have been required as a condition of the approved permit.
Information to be retained. The local administrator shall retain and make available for public inspection copies of the following:
Certificates of as-built lowest floor elevations of structures, required pursuant to § 27B-12D(1) and (2), and whether or not the structures contain a basement.
Floodproofing certificates required pursuant to § 27B-12D(1), and whether or not the structures contain a basement.
Variances issued pursuant to §§ 27B-15 and 27B-16.
Notices required under § 27B-12C.
The following standards apply to new development, including new and substantially improved structures, in the areas of special flood hazard shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Map designated in § 27B-6:
Subdivision proposals. The following standards apply to all new subdivision proposals and other proposed development in areas of special flood hazard, including proposals for manufactured home and recreational vehicle parks and subdivisions:
Public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electric and water systems shall be located and constructed so as to minimize flood damage.
Within Zones A1-A30 and AE, on streams without a regulatory floodway, no new construction, substantial improvements or other development, including fill, shall be permitted unless:
The Town of Monroe agrees to apply to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for a conditional FIRM revision, FEMA approval is received and the applicant provides all necessary data, analyses and mapping and reimburses the Town of Monroe for all fees and other costs in relation to the application. The applicant must also provide all data, analyses and mapping and reimburse the Town of Monroe 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 § 27B-6, no new construction, substantial improvements or other development in the floodway, including fill, shall be permitted unless:
A technical evaluation performed by a licensed professional engineer shows that such an encroachment shall not result in any increase in flood levels during occurrence of the base flood; or
The Town of Monroe agrees to apply to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for a conditional FIRM and floodway revision, FEMA approval is received and the applicant provides all necessary data, analyses and mapping and reimburses the Town of Monroe for all fees and other costs in relation to the application. The applicant must also provide all data, analyses and mapping and reimburse the Town of Monroe for all costs related to the final map revisions.
For enclosed areas below the lowest floor of a structure within Zone 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 which are subject to flooding, 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 be either certified by a licensed professional engineer or architect or meet or exceed the following minimum criteria:
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 or be designed to prevent water from entering or accumulating within the components during a flood and to resist hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and stresses. 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.
Residential structures. The following standards apply to new and substantially improved residential structures located in areas of special flood hazard, in addition to the requirements in § 27B-13A through E:
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 elevation.
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 Town's Flood Insurance Rate Map enumerated in § 27B-6 (at least two feet if no depth number is specified).
Within Zones AO and AH, adequate drainage paths are required to guide floodwaters around and away from proposed structures on slopes.
Nonresidential structures. The following standards apply to new and substantially improved commercial, industrial and other nonresidential structures located in areas of special flood hazard, in addition to the requirements in § 27B-13A through E:
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 Town's FIRM (at least two feet if no depth number is specified); or
Together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, be completely floodproofed to that level to meet the floodproofing requirements specified in § 27B-14B(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 § 27B-14B(1)(b), including the specific elevation in relation to mean sea level to which the structure is to be floodproofed.
Within Zone A when no base flood elevation data are available, the lowest floor, including basement, shall be elevated at least three feet above the highest adjacent grade.
Manufactured homes and recreational vehicles. The following standards, in addition to the standards in § 27B-13A through E, apply, as indicated, in areas of special flood hazard to manufactured homes and to recreational vehicles which are located in areas of special flood hazard:
Recreational vehicles placed on sites within Zones A1-A30, AE and AH shall either be on site fewer than 180 consecutive days, be fully licensed and ready for highway use, or meet the requirements for manufactured homes in § 27B-14C(2), (3) and (4) below. 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 permanent attached additions.
Within Zone AO, the floor shall be elevated above the highest adjacent grade at least as high as the depth number specified on the Flood Insurance Rate Map enumerated in § 27B-6 (at least two feet if no depth number is specified).
The Planning Board, as established by the Town of Monroe, 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 of this chapter.
In passing upon such application, the Planning Board 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 action, if applicable, expected at the site; and
The costs of providing governmental services during and after flood conditions, including search and rescue operations and maintenance and repair of public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical and water systems and street and bridges.
Upon the consideration of the factors of § 27B-15D above 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.
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 the items in § 27B-15D(1) through (12) have been fully considered. As the lot size increases beyond the 1/2 acre, the technical justification required for issuing the variance increases.
Any applicant to whom a variance is granted for a building with the lowest floor below the base flood elevation shall be given written notice; over the signature of a Town official, that the issuance of a variance to construct a structure below the base flood level will result in increased insurance 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 variance actions as required in § 27B-12H of this chapter.