Source: https://ecode360.com/10051634
Timestamp: 2018-05-26 14:05:20
Document Index: 379044453

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 108', '§ 108', '§ 108', '§ 108', '§ 108', '§ 108', '§ 108', '§ 108', '§ 108', '§ 108', '§ 108', '§ 108', '§ 108', '§ 108', '§ 108', '§ 108', '§ 108', '§ 108', '§ 108', '§ 108', '§ 108', '§ 108', '§ 108', '§ 108', '§ 108', '§ 108', '§ 108', '§ 108', '§ 108']

Borough of Fair Lawn, NJ Flood Damage Prevention
§ 108-1 Statutory authorization.
§ 108-2 Findings of fact.
§ 108-3 Statement of purpose.
§ 108-4 Methods of reducing flood losses.
§ 108-5 Definitions.
§ 108-6 Lands to which this chapter applies.
§ 108-7 Basis for establishing areas of special flood hazard.
§ 108-8 Penalties for noncompliance.
§ 108-9 Abrogation and greater restrictions.
§ 108-10 Interpretation.
§ 108-11 Warning and disclaimer of liability.
§ 108-12 Establishment of development permit.
§ 108-13 Designation of the Borough Engineer.
§ 108-14 Duties and responsibilities of the Borough Engineer.
§ 108-15 Exception procedure.
§ 108-16 General standards.
§ 108-17 Specific standards.
§ 108-18 Floodways.
Chapter 108: Flood Damage Prevention
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Council of the Borough of Fair Lawn 7-27-1982 as Ch. XVIII of the 1981 Revised General Ordinances. Amendments noted where applicable.]
Chapter 108 : Flood Damage Prevention
The Legislature of the State of New Jersey has delegated the responsibility to local governmental units to adopt regulations designed to promote the public health, safety and general welfare of its citizenry.
The flood hazard areas of the borough 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 hazards which increase flood heights and velocities and when inadequately anchored, damage uses in other areas. Uses that are inadequately floodproofed, insufficiently elevated or otherwise inadequately protected from flood damage also contribute to the flood loss.
Restricting or prohibiting uses which are dangerous to health, safety and property due to water erosion hazards or which result in damaging increases in erosion or in flood heights or velocities;
A request for a review of the Borough Engineer's interpretation of any provision of this chapter or a request for an exception.
Any area of the building having its subgrade (below ground level) on all sides.
[Added 10-13-1987 by Ord. No. 1377-87]
A wall that is not part of the structural support of the building and is intended through its design and construction to collapse under specific lateral loading forces without causing damage to the elevated portion of the chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year.
[Amended 8-15-1995 by Ord. No. 1608-95]
A nonbasement built, in 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" shall also include a building elevated by means of fill or solid foundation perimeter walls with openings sufficient to facilitate unimpeded movement of floodwaters. In areas of coastal high hazard, "elevated building" shall also include a building otherwise meeting the definition of "elevated building" even though the lower area is enclosed by means of breakaway walls.
A grant of relief from the requirements of this chapter which permits construction in a manner that would otherwise be prohibited by this chapter, but only if permitted pursuant to § 108-15 et seq. hereof.
FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT REGULATION
[Added 8-15-1995 by Ord. No. 1608-95]
By an approved state program as approved by the Secretary of the Interior; or
[Added 10-13-1987 by Ord. No. 1377-87; amended 8-15-1995 by Ord. No. 1608-95]
A parcel (or contiguous parcels of land) divided into two or more manufactured home lots for rent or sale.
[Added 8-15-1998 by Ord. No. 1608-95]
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 10-13-1987 by Ord. No. 1377-87; 8-15-1995 by Ord. No. 1608-95]
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 does not, however, include either:
Any alteration of an historic structure, provided that the alteration will not preclude the structures continued designation as an historic structure.
This chapter shall apply to all areas of special flood hazard within the jurisdiction of the Borough of Fair Lawn.
[Amended 8-15-1995 by Ord. No. 1608-95; 12-16-1998 by Ord. No. 1745-98; 9-13-2005 by Ord. No. 2026-2005]
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 Borough of Fair Lawn," dated September 30, 2005, with accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Maps, is hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this chapter. The Flood Insurance Study is on file in the office of the Borough Engineer.
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 disorderly persons offense. Any person who violates this chapter or fails to comply with any of its requirements shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not more than $200 or imprisoned for not more than 30 days, or both, for each violation and in addition shall pay all costs and expenses involved in the case. Nothing herein contained shall prevent the Borough of Fair Lawn from taking such other lawful action as is necessary to prevent or remedy any violation.
The degree of flood protection required by this chapter is considered reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on scientific and engineering considerations. Larger floods can and will occur on rare occasions. Flood heights may be increased by manmade or natural causes. This chapter does not imply that land outside the area of special flood hazards or uses permitted within such areas will be free from flooding or flood damages. This chapter shall not create liability on the part of the Borough of Fair Lawn, 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 § 108-7. Application for a development permit shall be made on forms furnished by the Borough Engineer 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 in § 108-17A; and
Description of the extent to which any watercourse will be altered or relocated as a result of proposed development subject to an approved Stream Encroachment Permit from the NJDEP.
Duties of the Borough Engineer shall include, but not be limited to:
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 § 108-18A are met.
Obtain and record the actual elevation (in relation to mean sea level) of the lowest habitable floor (including basement) all of new or substantially improved structures and whether or not the structure contains a basement.
Maintain the floodproofing certifications required in § 108-12C.
Notify adjacent communities and the NJDEP prior to any alteration or relocation of a watercourse and submit evidence of such notification to the Federal Insurance Administration.
Interpretation of FIRM boundaries. Make interpretations where needed, as to the exact location of the boundaries of the areas of special flood hazards (for example where there appears to be a conflict between a mapped boundary and actual field conditions). The person contesting the location of the boundary shall be given a reasonable opportunity to appeal the interpretation as provided in § 108-15.
The Planning Board as established by the Borough of Fair Lawn shall hear and decide appeals and requests for exceptions 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 Borough Engineer 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 Borough Council as provided in N.J.S.A. 40:55D-17.
The availability of alternative locations within the applicant's property for the proposed use which are not subject to flooding or erosion damage;
Upon consideration of the factors of Subsection A(4) and the purposes of this chapter, the Planning Board may attach such conditions to the granting of exceptions as it deems necessary to further the purposes of this chapter.
The Borough Engineer shall maintain the record of all appeal actions, including technical information and report any exceptions to the Federal Insurance Administration upon request.
Conditions for exceptions.
Generally, exceptions 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 Subsection A(4) have been fully considered. As the lot size increases beyond the 1/2 acre, the technical justification required for issuing the exceptions increases.
A determination that failure to grant the exception would result in exceptional hardship to the applicant; and
A determination that the granting of an exception will not result in increased flood heights, additional threats to public safety, extraordinary public expense, create nuisances, cause fraud on or victimization of the public as identified in Subsection A(4) or conflict with existing local laws or ordinances.
Any applicant to whom an exception 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 probable cost of flood insurance will be commensurate with the increased risk resulting from the reduced lowest floor elevation.
New and replacement sanitary sewage systems shall be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of floodwaters into the systems and discharge from the systems into floodwaters; and,
Base flood elevation data shall be provided for all major subdivisions.
Enclosure openings. For all new construction and substantial improvements, fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor that are subject to flooding shall be designed to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls by allowing for the entry and exit of floodwaters. Designs for meeting this requirement must either be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect or must meet or exceed the following minimum criteria: A minimum of two openings having a total net area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed area subject to flooding shall be provided. The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above grade. Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers or other coverings or devices provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.
In all areas of special flood hazards where base flood elevation data have been provided as set forth in § 108-8 or in 108-14B, the following standards are required:
Residential construction. New construction and substantial improvement for any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above base flood elevation. In the AO Zone, the base flood elevation is to be considered the crown of the nearest street or the depth number specified on the FIRM.
Nonresidential construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any commercial, industrial or other nonresidential 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 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 § 108-13.
[Amended 10-13-1987 by Ord. No. 1377-87]
In the AO Zone, the base flood elevation is to be considered the crown of the nearest street or the depth number specified in the FIRM.
Located within areas of special flood hazard established in § 108-7 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. An approved stream encroachment permit issued by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection shall be considered as evidence that such an evaluation has been made.
If § 108-14A is satisfied, all new construction and substantial improvements shall comply with all applicable flood hazard reduction provisions of §§ 108-16 through 108-17.