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ORDINANCE NO. 4368
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE XV: UNIFIED
DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE, OF THE CODE OF FAYETTEVILLE,
TO PROVIDE AMENDMENTS TO VARIOUS PROVISIONS
CONCERNING THE FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION CODE.
WHEREAS, the flood hazard areas of the City of Fayetteville are subject to
periodic inundation which results in loss of life and property, health and safety hazards,
disruption of commerce and governmental services, and extraordinary public
expenditures for flood protection and relief, all of which adversely affect the public
health, safety and general welfare, and;
WHEREAS, these flood losses are created by the cumulative effect of
obstructions in floodplains which cause an increase in flood heights and velocities, and
by the occupancy of flood hazard areas by uses vulnerable to floods and hazardous to
other lands because they are inadequately elevated, flood-proofed or otherwise protected
from flood damage, and;
WHEREAS, the General Assembly of the State of Arkansas has, under A.C.A.
§ 14-268- 101 et seq. as amended, delegated the responsibility to local governmental units
to adopt regulations designed to minimize flood losses.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS:
Section 1 . That Chapter 151 : Definitions, Unified Development Ordinance, Code
of Fayetteville is hereby amended by inserting Exhibit "A" attached hereto and made a
part hereof.
Section 2. That Section 155.06(D)(1 ), Unified Development Ordinance, Code of
Fayetteville is hereby repealed, and the following is inserted in its stead:
§155.05 APPEALS FROM STAFF INTERPRETATION/ACTIONS.
D. Appeals To the Planning Commission.
1. Floodplain Administrator. Any person aggrieved may appeal the
decision of the Floodplain Administrator, provided that the Planning Commission shall
hear and decide an appeal only when it is alleged there is an error in any requirement,
decision, or determination made by the Floodplain Administrator in the enforcement or
administration of this chapter.
Section 3 . That Section 156.03(C), Unified Development Ordinance, Code of
Fayetteville is hereby Amended by inserting the following:
• . Ord . 4368
§156.03 DEVELOPMENT.
C. Consideration By The Planning Commission.
6. Flood Damage Prevention Code. The Planning Commission shall hear
and decide requests for variances from the requirements of this ordinance. Any person or
persons aggrieved by the decision of the Planning Commission regarding a variance
request may appeal such a decision in the courts of competent jurisdiction.
a. In passing upon such applications, the Planning Commission shall
consider all technical evaluations, all relevant factors, and standards specified in other
sections of this ordinance.
b. Variances may be issued for the reconstruction, rehabilitation or
restoration of structures listed in the National Register of Historic Places, without regard
to the procedures identified in the remainder of this ordinance. Variances may only be
issued for such repair or rehabilitation if strict enforcement of the ordinance would
preclude the structure's continued designation as a historic structure, and the variance is
the minimum necessary to preserve the historic character and design of the structure.
c. Generally, variances may be issued for new construction and
substantial improvements to be erected on a lot %z acre or less in size contiguous to and
surrounded by lots with existing structures constructed below the base flood level,
providing items (1 ) through (11 ) of § 168.03(A) have been fully considered. As the lot
size increases beyond % acre, the technical justification required for issuing the variance
increases.
d. Variances shall not be issued within any designated floodway if any
increase in flood levels during the base flood discharge would result.
e. Variances shall only be issued upon a determination that the variance
is the minimum necessary, considering the flood hazard, to afford relief.
f. Floodplain variances shall only be issued if:
il there are exceptional or extraordinary circumstances or
conditions applicable to the property involved or to the intended use of the property,
which do not apply generally to other property in the same flood zone;
ii, a determination that failure to grant the variance would result
in exceptional hardship to the applicant; and,
iii, 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, or conflict with the other
provisions of the Code of Fayetteville.
• • Ord .. 4368
g. Variances may be issued for new construction and substantial
improvements and for other development necessary for the conduct of a functionally
dependent use provided that the provisions of § 168.03(A) are satisfied and that the
structure or other development is protected by methods that minimize flood damages
during the base flood and create no additional threats to public safety.
h. Upon consideration of the factors in this Section and the purposes of
this ordinance, the Planning Commission may impose conditions to the granting of
floodplain variances as it deems necessary to further the purposes of this ordinance.
i. Any applicant to whom a variance is granted shall be given written
notice that the structure will be permitted to be built with a lowest floor elevation below
the regulatory flood elevation surcharge and that the cost of flood insurance will be
commensurate with the increased risk resulting from the reduced lowest floor elevation.
A copy of the notice shall be recorded by the Floodplain Administrator in the office of
the Washington County Clerk and shall be recorded in a manner so that it appears in the
chain of title of the affected parcel of land.
Section 4. That Chapter 168: Flood Damage Prevention Code, Unified
Development Ordinance, Code of Fayetteville is hereby repealed, and Exhibit `B" with
Appendix attached hereto and made a part hereof, is inserted in its stead.
PASSED and APPROVED this 5`h day of February, 2002.
APPROVED:
DAN COODY, Mayor
Iri ..' 14 OODRUFF, OKYClerk
l� �rt co �1 �-
• EXHIBIT "A" • Ord , 4368
To be inserted at Chapter 151 : Definitions, Unified Development Ordinance:
Appeal. (Flood Damage Prevention) A request for a review of the Floodplain
Administrator's interpretation of any provision of this Chapter.
Area of shallow flooding. (Flood Damage Prevention) A designated AO, AH, or CP
Zone on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). The base flood depths range from 1 to 3 feet; a
clearly defined channel does not exist; the path of flooding is unpredictable and indeterminate;
and velocity flow may be evident.
Area of flood-related erosion hazard. (Flood Damage Prevention)The area subject to
severe flood-related erosion losses. The area is designated as Zone E on the Flood Insurance
Rate Map.
Area of special flood hazard. (Flood Damage Prevention) See "Special flood hazard
area."
Base flood. (Flood Damage Prevention) The flood having a 1 % chance of being equaled
or exceeded in any given year (also called the " 100-year flood").
Base Flood Elevation (BFE). (Flood Damage Prevention) The height of the base flood,
usually in feet, in relation to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 or other datum as
specified.
Basement. (Flood Damage Prevention) Any area of a building having its floor sub-grade
(below ground level) on all sides.
Elevated building. (Flood Damage Prevention) A non-basement building (I) built, in the
case of a building in Zones Al -30, AE, A, A99, AO, AH, B, C, X, and D, to have the top of the
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 (ii) 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. hi the
case of Zones Al -30, AE, A, A99, AO, AH, B, C, X, 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 flood waters.
Development. (Flood Damage Prevention) Any man-made change in improved or
unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures, mining,
dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations or storage of equipment or
materials.
Existing construction. (Flood Damage Prevention) For the purposes of determining
rates, structures for which the "start of construction" commenced before the effective date of the
FIRM (September 18, 1991 ). "Existing construction" may also be referred to as "existing
structures."
• • Ord . 4368
EXHIBIT "A"
Existing manufactured home park or subdivision. (Flood Damage Prevention) A
manufactured home park or subdivision for which the construction of facilities for servicing the
lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including, at a minimum, the
installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of
concrete pads) is completed before the effective date of the floodplain management regulations
adopted by a community.
Expansion to an existing manufactured home park or subdivision. (Flood Damage
Prevention) The preparation of additional sites by the construction of facilities for servicing the
lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including the installation of utilities, the
construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads)
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). (Flood Damage Prevention) The
independent federal agency that, in addition to carrying out other activities, oversees the
administration of the National Flood Insurance Program.
Federal Insurance Administration (FIA). (Flood Damage Prevention) The component
of FEMA directly responsible for administering the National Flood Insurance Program.
Flood or flooding. (Flood Damage Prevention) A general and temporary condition of
partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from the overflow of flood waters, or
the unusual and rapid accumulation or run-off of surface water from any source.
Flood boundary and floodway map. (Flood Damage Prevention) The official map on
which the Federal Insurance Administration has delineated both the areas of flood hazard and the
floodway.
Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). (Flood Damage Prevention) The official map on
which the Federal Emergency Management Agency or Federal Insurance Administration has
delineated both the areas of special flood hazards and the Floodway.
Flood Insurance Study. (Flood Damage Prevention) The official report provided by the
Federal Insurance Administration that includes flood profiles, the FIRM, the Flood Boundary
and Floodway Map, and the water surface elevation of the Base flood.
• • Ord . 4368
EXHIBIT "A"
Floodplain or flood-prone area. (Flood Damage Prevention) Areas that are subject to,
or are exposed to, flooding and flood damage.
Floodplain
LFloodray Floodway
i Fringe— Floodwoy — Fringe
W W W W W W r W a W W y W W Floodwoy Fringe
W W W
Floodwoy Floodplo',n
a m o
Floodplain management. (Flood Damage Prevention) The operation of an overall
program of corrective and preventive measures for reducing flood damage, including but not
limited to, emergency preparedness plans, flood control works and floodplain management
regulations.
Floodplain management regulations. (Flood Damage Prevention) Development code,
building codes, health regulations, special purpose ordinances (i.e., grading ordinance and
erosion control ordinance) and other 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.
Flood-proofing. (Flood Damage Prevention) Any combination of structural and
nonstructural additions, changes or adjustments to structures which reduce or eliminate flood
damage to real estate or improved real property, water and sanitary facilities, structures and their
contents.
Floodway (Regulatory floodway). (Flood Damage Prevention) The channel of a river
or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the
• • Ord . 4368
EXHIBIT "A"
base flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than 1 foot. Also
referred to as "Regulatory floodway."
Functionally dependent use. (Flood Damage Prevention) A use which cannot perform
its intended purpose unless it is located or carried out in close proximity to water.
Highest adjacent grade. (Flood Damage Prevention) The highest natural elevation of
the ground surface prior to construction next to the proposed walls of a structure.
Historic Structure. (Flood Damage Prevention) Any structure that is:
A. Listed individually in the National Register of Historic Places (a listing maintained by
the Department of 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; or
C. Individually listed on a state inventory of historic places which has been approved by
the Secretary of the Interior.
Lowest floor. (Flood Damage Prevention) 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 an enclosure is not built so as to render the structure
in violation of the applicable non-elevation design requirements of this chapter.
Levee. (Flood Damage Prevention) A man-made structure, usually an earthen
embankment, designed and constructed in accordance with sound engineering practices to
contain, control, or divert the flow of water so as to provide protection from temporary flooding.
Levee
• • Ord . 4368
EXHIBIT "A"
Levee system. (Flood Damage Prevention) A flood protection system which
consists of a levee, or levees, and associated structures, such as closure and drainage
devices, which are constructed and operated in accordance with sound engineering
practices.
Manufactured home. (Flood Damage Prevention) A factory-built, single-family
structure that meets the National Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards
Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 5401 ), commonly known as the HUD (U.S. Housing and Urban
Development) code. For floodplain management purposes the term also includes park
trailers, travel trailers, and other similar vehicles placed on a site for greater than 180
consecutive days. For insurance purposes the term "manufactured home" does not
include park trailers, travel trailers, and other similar vehicles.
Manufactured home park or subdivision. (Flood Damage Prevention) A parcel
(or contiguous parcels) of land divided into 2 or more manufactured home lots for sale or
rent.
Mean sea level. (Flood Damage Prevention) For purposes of the National Flood
Insurance Program, the National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) of 1929 or other
datum, to which base flood elevations shown on a community's Flood Insurance Rate
Map are referenced.
New construction. (Flood Damage Prevention) For floodplain management
purposes, structures for which the "start of construction" commenced on or after the
effective date of this development code.
One hundred year flood. (Flood Damage Prevention) A flood which has a 1 %
annual probability of being equaled or exceeded. It is identical to the "base flood," which
will be the term used throughout this chapter.
Regulatory floodway. (Flood Damage Prevention) see "Floodway."
Remedy a violation. (Flood Damage Prevention) To bring the structure or other
development into compliance with State or local floodplain management regulations, or,
if this is not possible, to reduce the impacts of its noncompliance. Ways that impacts
may be reduced include protecting the structure or other affected development from flood
damages, implementing the enforcement provisions of this Development Code or
otherwise deterring future similar violations, or reducing Federal financial exposure with
regard to the structure or other development.
• • Ord . 4368
EXHIBIT "A"
Riverine. (Flood Damage Prevention) Relating to, formed by, or resembling a
river (including tributaries), stream, brook, etc.
Special flood hazard area (SFHA). (Flood Damage Prevention) An area having
special flood or flood-related erosion hazards, and shown on an FHBM or FIRM as Zone
A, AO, Al -30, AE, A99, CO, C1 -V30, VE, or V.
Start of construction. (Flood Damage Prevention) The date the building permit
is issued for either new construction or substantial improvement, provided the actual start
of construction, repair, reconstruction, replacement, 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, beyond excavation, or the placement of a
manufactured home on a foundation. Permanent construction does not include land
preparation or the installation of streets and/or walkways, 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.
Stream. (Flood Damage Prevention) A watercourse having a source and
terminus, banks, and channel through which waters flow at least periodically. Streams do
not lose their character as a watercourse even though the water may dry up. For the
purposes of this ordinance, streams are defined on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps as
single lines with no floodplain or floodway defined.
Structure. A combination of materials to form a construction for use, occupancy,
or ornamentation whether installed on, above, or below the surface of land or water.
Substantial damage. (Flood Damage Prevention) Damage of any origin
sustained by a structure whereby the cost of restoring the structure to its before-damaged
condition would equal or exceed 50 percent of the market value of the structure before
the damage occurred.
Substantial improvement. (Flood Damage Prevention) Any repair,
reconstruction, or improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50% of
the market value of the structure either:
A. before the improvement or repair is started; or
B. if the structure has been damaged, and is being restored, before the
damage occurred.
For the purposes of this definition "substantial improvement" is considered to
occur when the first alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor, or other structural part of the
• Ord .. 4368
EXHIBIT "A"
building commences, whether or not that alteration affects the external dimensions of the
structure. The term does not, however, include either:
A. any project for improvement of a structure to comply with existing state or
local health, sanitary, or safety code specifications which are solely necessary to assure
safe living conditions; or
B. any alteration of a structure listed on the National Register of Historic
Places or a state inventory of Historic Places.
Variance. (Flood Damage Prevention) A grant of relief to a person from the
requirements of this ordinance when specific enforcement would result in unnecessary
hardship. A variance, therefore, permits construction or development in a manner
otherwise prohibited by this ordinance. (For full requirements see Section 60.6 of the
National Flood Insurance Program regulations.)
Violation. (Flood Damage Prevention) 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 in this chapter is presumed to be
in violation until such time as that documentation is provided.
Water surface elevation. (Flood Damage Prevention) 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 floodplains of coastal or riverine
areas.
• • Ord . 4368
E
CI
EXHIBIT `B" D
CHAPTER 168 :
FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION
§168.01 PURPOSE. 7. To ensure that those who
occupy the areas of special flood hazard
A. It is the purpose of this ordinance to assume responsibility for their actions; and,
promote the public health, safety and
general welfare and to minimize public and 8. To protect human life and
private losses due to flood conditions in health.
specific areas as designated by the latest
adopted Flood Insurance Rate Maps, in B. In order to accomplish its purposes,
addition to the following: this ordinance uses the following methods:
1. To minimize expenditure of 1 . Restricting or prohibiting uses
public money for costly flood control that are dangerous to health, safety or
projects; property due to water or erosion hazards in
times of flood, or cause excessive increases
2. To minimize the need for in flood heights or velocities;
rescue and relief efforts associated with
flooding and generally undertaken at the 2. Requiring that uses vulnerable to
expense of the general public; floods, including facilities which serve such
uses, be protected against flood damage at
3. To minimize prolonged the time of initial construction;
business interruptions;
3. Controlling the alteration of
4. To minimize damage to natural floodplains, stream channels, and
public facilities and utilities such as water natural protective barriers, which are
and gas mains; electric, telephone and sewer involved in the accommodation of flood
lines, streets and bridges located in waters;
floodplains;
4. Controlling filling, grading,
5. To help maintain a stable tax dredging and other development which may
base by providing for the sound use and increase flood damage;
development of flood-prone areas in such a
manner as to minimize future flood blight 5. Preventing or regulating the
areas; construction of flood barriers which will
unnaturally divert flood waters or which
6. To ensure that potential may increase flood hazards to other lands.
buyers are notified that property is in an area
of special flood hazard; §168.02 GENERAL PROVISIONS. This
chapter shall apply to all areas of special
flood hazards and areas of flood-related
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Ord .. 4368
EXHIBIT "B"
erosion hazards within the jurisdiction of the E. No structure or land shall hereafter'
city. be constructed, located, extended, converted
or altered without full compliance with the
A. The areas of special flood hazards terms of this chapter and other applicable
and areas of flood-related erosion hazards regulations. Violations of the provisions of
identified by the Federal Emergency this chapter by failure to comply with any of
Management Agency or the Federal its requirements (including violations of
Insurance Administration in scientific and conditions and safeguards established in
engineering reports entitled "Flood connection with conditions) shall constitute
Insurance Study for the City of Fayetteville, a misdemeanor. Nothing herein shall
Arkansas," dated September 18, 1991 and prevent the city from taking such lawful
July 21 , 1999, with accompanying Flood action as is necessary to prevent or remedy
Insurance Rate Map, as may from time to any violation.
time hereafter be amended, is hereby
adopted by reference and made a part hereof F. This chapter is not intended to
as if set out fully herein. Three copies of repeal, abrogate, or impair any existing
said map shall be maintained in the office of easements, covenants, or deed restrictions.
the City Clerk. However, where this chapter and any other
code, ordinance, easement, covenant, or
B. The Flood Hazard Study, Phase II, deed restriction conflict or overlap,
provided by the U.S. Army Corps of whichever imposes the more restrictive
Engineers, is hereby adopted by reference restrictions shall prevail.
and made a part hereof as if set out fully
herein. Three copies of said map shall be G. In the interpretation and application
maintained in the office of the City Clerk. of this chapter, all provisions shall be:
C. The Flood Hazard Study Phase IV, 1. Considered as minimum
and Revised Flood Hazard Study Phase I, requirements;
provided by the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, are hereby adopted by reference 2. Liberally construed in favor of
and made a part hereof as if set out fully the governing body; and
herein. Three copies of said studies shall be
maintained in the office of the City Clerk. 3. Deemed neither to limit nor
repeal any other powers granted under state
D. This Flood Insurance Study is the statutes.
minimum area of applicability of this
chapter and may be supplemented by studies H. The degree of flood protection
for other areas which allow implementation required by this chapter is considered
of this chapter and which are recommended reasonable for regulatory purposes and is
to the council by the Floodplain based on scientific and engineering
Administrator. considerations. Larger floods can and will
occur on rare occasions. Flood heights may
be increased by man-made or natural causes.
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• • Ord. 4368
EXHIBIT "B"
This chapter does not imply that land
outside the areas of special flood hazards,
areas of flood -related erosion 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 city, 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 hereunder.
§168.03 ADMINISTRATION.
A. Floodplain Administrator. A
Floodplain Administrator shall be
designated by the Mayor and appointed to
administer and implement this chapter by
granting or denying Floodplain
Development Permits in compliance with its
provisions. Approval or denial of a
Development Permit shall be based on all
the provisions of this ordinance and the
following relevant factors:
1. The danger to life and property
due to flooding or erosion damage;
2. The susceptibility of the
proposed facility and its contents to flood
damage and the effect of such damage on
the individual owner;
3. The danger that materials may be
swept onto other lands to the injury of
others;
4. The compatibility of the
proposed use with existing and anticipated
development;
-3-
5. The safety of access to the
property in times of flood for ordinary and
emergency vehicles;
6. The costs of providing
governmental services during and after flood
conditions including maintenance and repair
of streets and bridges, and public utilities
and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical
and water systems;
7. The expected heights, velocity,
duration, rate of rise and sediment transport
of the flood waters expected at the site;
8. The necessity to the facility of a
waterfront location, where applicable;
9. The availability of alternative
locations, not subject to flooding or erosion
damage, for the proposed use;
10. The relationship of the proposed
use to the General Plan 2010.
11. The duties and responsibilities of
the Floodplain Administrator, as related to
this chapter, shall include, but not be limited
to:
a. Permit Review
i. Review all Floodplain
Development Permits to determine that the
permit requirements of this chapter have
been satisfied;
ii. All other required
state and federal permits have been obtained
from those Federal, State, or local
governmental agencies (including Section
404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control
I
• Ord. 4368
Act of 1972, 33 U.S.C.
prior approval is required;
EXHIBIT "B"
1334) from which
iii. The site is reasonably
safe from flooding;
iv. The proposed
development does not adversely affect the
carrying capacity of areas where base flood
elevations have been determined but the
floodway has not been designated on the
FIRM. For purposes of this chapter,
"adversely affects" means 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. However, under the provisions of 44
CFR Chapter 1, Section 65.12, of the
National Flood Insurance Program
regulations, a community may approve
certain development in Zones Al -30, AE,
AH, on the community's FIRM which
increases the water surface elevation of the
base flood by more than one foot, provided
that the community first applies for a
conditional FIRM revision through FEMA.
b. When base flood elevation
data has not been provided in compliance
with §168.02(A), the Floodplain
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
this section. Any such information shall be
submitted to the Council for adoption.
c. Whenever a watercourse is to
be altered or relocated, the Floodplain
Administrator shall:
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i. Notify adjacent
communities and the Arkansas Soil and
Water Conservation Commission prior to
the alteration or relocation of a watercourse,
and submit evidence of the notification to
the Federal Emergency Management
Agency;
ii. Require that the flood
carrying capacity of the altered or relocated
portion of the watercourse is maintained.
d. Secure and maintain for
public inspection and availability the
certifications, appeals and variances
identified in subsection B and Chapters 155
and 156 of the Unified Development
Ordinance, Code of Fayetteville,
respectively.
e. Make interpretations where
needed as to the exact location of the
boundaries of the areas of special flood
hazards or areas of flood -related erosion
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 give a reasonable opportunity to appeal
the interpretation as provided in Chapter 155
of the Unified Development Ordinance,
Code of Fayetteville.
f. The Floodplain Administrator
shall maintain the records of all appeal
actions and report any variances to the
Federal Insurance Administration upon
request.
B. Floodplain Development Permit.
A Floodplain Development Permit shall be
obtained before obtaining a Building Permit
and prior to any construction or
Ord.. 4368
EXHIBIT "B"
development within any area of special
flood hazards or area of flood -related
erosion hazards established in §168.02(A).
An application for
a
Floodplain
B. Construction materials and
Development Permit shall
be
made on forms
methods.
furnished by the Floodplain Administrator
and may include, but not be limited to:
plans in duplicate drawn to scale showing
the nature, location, dimensions, and
elevation of the area in question; existing or
proposed structures, fill, storage of
materials, drainage facilities; and the
location of same. Specifically, the following
information is required:
2. All manufactured homes shall
meet the anchoring standards of § 168.04(F).
1. Proposed elevation in relation to
mean sea level, of the lowest floor
(including basement) of all structures;
2. Proposed elevation in relation to
mean sea level to which any structure shall
be flood -proofed;
3. All appropriate certifications
listed in §168.03(A)(11)(a)(ii); and,
4. Description of the extent to
which a watercourse will be altered or
relocated as a result of proposed
development.
§168.04 FLOOD HAZARD
REDUCTION. In all areas of special flood
hazards the following standards shall apply:
A. Anchoring.
1. All new construction and
substantial improvements shall be anchored
to prevent flotation, collapse or lateral
movement of the structure resulting from
hydrodynamic and hydrostatic loads,
including the effects of buoyancy.
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1. All new construction and
substantial improvements shall be
constructed with materials and utility
equipment resistant to flood damage.
2. All new construction and
substantial improvements shall be
constructed using methods and practices that
minimize or resist flood damage.
3. All new construction and
substantial improvements shall be
constructed with electrical, heating,
ventilation, plumbing and air conditioning
equipment and other service facilities that
are designed and/or located so as to prevent
water from entering or accumulating within
the components during conditions of
flooding.
C. Elevation and flood -proofing.
1. New construction and substantial
improvement of structure shall have the
lowest floor, including basement, elevated
two feet above the base flood elevation
specified in feet on the FIRM, or at least 2
feet above the highest adjacent grade if no
depth number is specified (see Appendix,
Figure 1). Nonresidential structures shall
meet the standards in §168.04(C)(2). Upon
the completion of the structure, the elevation
of the lowest floor including basement shall
be certified by a registered professional
engineer to be properly elevated. The
certification or verification shall be provided
to the Floodplain Administrator.
• • Ord. 4368
2. Nonresidential construction
either be elevated in conformance
§168.04(C)(1) or (3) or together
attendant utility and sanitary facilities:
EXHIBIT "B"
shall entry and exit of flood waters (see
with Appendix, Figure 2); or
with
a. Be flood -proofed so that
below the base flood level the structure is
watertight with walls substantially
impermeable to the passage of water;
b. Have structural components
capable of resisting hydrostatic and
hydrodynamic loads and effects of
buoyancy; and
c. Be certified by a registered
professional engineer or architect that the
standards of this subsection are satisfied.
The certification or verification shall be
provided to the Floodplain Administrator.
3. Require, for all new construction
and substantial improvements, that fully
enclosed areas below the lowest floor that
area 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:
a. Either a minimum of 2
openings having a total net area of not less
than I 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 1 foot above grade.
Openings may be equipped with screens,
louvers, valves or other coverings or devices
provided that they permit the automatic
b. Be certified to comply with
flood -proofing standards approved by the
Federal Insurance Administration.
4. Manufactured homes shall also
meet the standards in this section.
D. Standards for utilities.
1. All new and replacement water
supply and sanitary sewage systems shall be
designed to minimize or eliminate
infiltration of flood waters into the system
and discharge from systems into flood
waters.
2. On -site waste disposal systems
shall be located to avoid impairment to them
or contamination from them during flooding.
E. Standards for Subdivisions.
Applications for Preliminary, Final, and/or
Concurrent Plat approval shall contain the
requirements identified in §§166.01-.04 of
the Unified Development Ordinance, Code
of Fayetteville, in addition to the following:
1. Identify the special flood hazards
areas, including delineation of floodways,
and the elevation of the base flood.
2. All Final Plats shall provide the
elevation of proposed structure(s) and pads.
If the site is filled above the base flood, the
final pad elevation shall be verified by a
registered professional engineer or surveyor
and provided to the Floodplain
Administrator.
-6-
I• Ord. 4368
EXHIBIT "B"
3. All proposals shall be consistent that the area of special flood hazard will
with the need to minimize flood damage. remain undeveloped.
4. All proposals shall have public
utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas,
electrical, and water systems located and
constructed to minimize flood damage.
5. All proposals shall provide
adequate drainage to reduce exposure to
flood hazards.
6. To the extent practicable, lot
boundaries shall be made to coincide with
natural and pre-existing man-made drainage
ways within subdivisions to avoid the
creation of lots that can be built upon only
by altering such drainage ways (see
Appendix, Figure 3).
7. Any lot platted so that a portion
of the lot lies in a special flood hazard area
shall contain a minimum of 6,000 square
feet of buildable area, including setbacks,
outside the special flood hazard area, or if it
contains less than 6000 square feet of
buildable area, it shall be platted to contain a
minimum of one acre. Any lot platted so
that the entire lot lies in a special flood
hazard area shall contain a minimum of one
acre (see Appendix, Figure 4).
8. For subdivisions partially located
in special flood hazard areas, minimum lot
area requirements may be waived by the
Director to allow the platting of lots to be
clustered outside the special flood hazard
area, the density permitted for the zoning
district to be averaged over the entire parcel,
provided a permanent conservation
easement is granted to the City, a land trust,
or the property owners association to ensure
9. In any area that is located outside
a special flood hazard area but where a
stream is located, no building or fill may be
located within a distance of the stream bank
equal to two and one-half the width of the
stream measured from top of bank to top of
bank or 25 feet on each side, whichever is
greater.
10. Base flood elevation data shall
be generated for subdivision proposals and
other proposed development including the
placement of manufactured home parks and
subdivisions which are greater than 50 lots
or 5 acres, whichever is lesser, if not
otherwise pursuant to §168.02(A) or
§168.03(A)(11)(b).
11. In all areas designated as a Zone
A on the FIRM where a detailed study has
not been completed to specify the floodway
and base flood elevations, no building or fill
shall be located within a distance of two and
one half times the width of the stream
measured from the top of the bank to the top
of bank, or 25 feet on each side whichever is
greater.
a. Provided, the applicant may
choose if not required by other provisions of
this chapter, to provide a detailed hydrologic
and hydraulic study which delineates the
floodway, 100 year floodplain boundary and
base flood elevations. At such time a study
is provided and adopted by ordinance, the
applicant shall meet all requirements for
areas designated with floodway, 100 year
floodplain, and base flood elevations.
-7-
• • Ord. 4368
EXHIBIT "B"
b. If for some reason the
property owner believes the FIRM to be
inaccurate, a Letter of Map Amendment
may be submitted to FEMA. If the
boundaries of the floodplain are amended by
FEMA, setbacks will be enforced pursuant
to the amendment.
F. Standards for manufactured
homes. All new and replacement
manufactured homes and additions to
manufactured homes shall be constructed in
the following manner:
1. Be elevated so that the lowest
floor is two feet above the base flood
elevation; and
2. All manufactured homes shall be
anchored to resist flotation, collapse, or
lateral movement by providing over -the -top
and frame ties to ground anchors. Specific
requirements include:
a. Over -the -top ties be provided
at each of the 4 comers of the manufactured
homes, with 2 additional ties per side at
intermediate locations, with manufactured
homes less than 50 feet long requiring 1
additional tie per side;
b. Frame ties be provided at
each comer of the home with 5 additional
ties per side at intermediate points, with
manufactured homes less than 50 feet long
requiring 4 additional ties per side;
c. All components of the
anchoring system be capable of carrying a
force of 4,800 pounds; and
d. Any additions to the
manufactured homes be similarly anchored.
-8-
G. Floodways. Located within areas of
special flood hazard established in section
§168.02(A) are areas designated as
floodways. Since the floodway is an
extremely hazardous area due to the velocity
of flood waters which carry debris, potential
projectiles, and erosion potential, the
following provisions shall apply:
1. Prohibit encroachments,
including fill, new construction, substantial
improvements, and other development
unless certification by a registered
professional engineer or architect is
provided demonstrating that encroachment
shall not result in any increase in flood
levels during the occurrence of the base
flood discharge.
2. If the provisions of (G)(1) are
satisfied, all new construction and
substantial improvement shall comply with
all other applicable flood hazard reduction
provisions of section G.
3. Under the provisions of 44 CFR
Chapter 1, Section 65.12, of the National
Flood Insurance Regulations, a community
may permit encroachments within the
adopted regulatory floodway that would
result in an increase in base flood elevations,
provided that the community first applies for
a conditional FIRM and floodway revision
through FEMA.
A. Standards for areas of shallow
flooding (AO/AH Zones). Located within
the areas of special flood hazard established
in § 168.02(A), are areas designated as
shallow flooding. These areas have special
flood hazards associated with base flood
depths of 1 to 3 feet where a clearly defined
channel does not exist and where the path of
• Ord, 4368
EXHIBIT "B"
flooding is unpredictable and where velocity
flow may be evident. Such flooding is
characterized by ponding or sheet flow;
therefore, the following provisions apply:
1. All new construction and
substantial improvements of residential
structures have the lowest floor (including
basement) elevated above the highest
adjacent grade at least as high as the depth
number specified on the FIRM (at least two
feet if no depth number is specified).
2. All new construction and
substantial improvements of non-residential
structures:
a. have the lowest floor
(including basement) elevated above the
highest adjacent grade at least as high as the
depth number specified on the FIRM (at
least two feet if no depth number is
specified),
b. together with attendant utility
and sanitary facilities be designed so that
below the base flood level 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 of effects of buoyancy.
3. A registered professional
engineer or architect shall submit a
certification to the Floodplain Administrator
that the standards of this section, as set forth
in §168.03(B), are satisfied.
4. Require adequate drainage paths
around structures on slopes to guide flood
waters around and away from proposed
structures.
-9-
•CHAPTER 168 -APPENDIX•
Ord. 4368
❑n
Slab
Reference
Level
Base Adjacent
Flood Grade
Elevation
With
Basement
Base
Flood
Elevation
Reference
Level
❑n Piles.
Piers, or Colcnns
Reference
- Level
Base
Flood
Elevation
E levot,ons should be measured at the top of the reference level floor
Figure 1
I ft. rla;
mu sq. niLrles
total
Figure 2
/, /_-
H
ood
Hazard
Area
Don't Do This
Figure 3
Do This
Flood
Hazard
Area
•CHAPTER 168 -APPENDIX• Ord. 4368
Flood
Hazard
Area
Figure 4
NAME OF FILE: Ordinance No. 4368
CROSS REFERENCE:
02/05/02 Ordinance No. 4368
Exhibit "A" (Chapter 151: Definitions, Unified Development Ordinance)
Exhibit "B" (Chapter 168: Flood Damage Prevention)
10/18/01 Planning Division Correspondence
10/08/01 Planning Commission Minutes (Pages 21-28)
10/22/01 Planning Commission Minutes (Pages 3-5)
02/05/02 Staff Review Form
02/11/02 Memo to Tim Conklin, Planning Director, from Heather Woodruff, City
Clerk
03/16/02 Proof of Publication
NOTES:
0 s
FAYETTEVILLE
THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS
113 W. Mountain St.
Fayetteville, AR 72701
Telephone: (501) 575-8264
PLANNING DIVISION CORRESPONDENCE
TO: Fayetteville Planning Commission
FROM: Sara Edwards, Associate Planner
THRU: Tim Conklin, City Planner
DATE: October 18, 2001
ADM 01-39.00 Administrative Item to revise the Flood Damage Prevention Code by
adding/revising the setback from a stream bank in Zone A and Zone X flood zones. The proposal
is to change the setback from a stream where a floodplain has been delineated from 5 times the
width of the stream channel or 20 feet to 2.5 times the width of the stream channel or 25 feet
whichever is greater. The second proposal is to establish a setback from a stream bank in a
floodplain where a detailed study has not been provided (Zone A) at 2.5 times the width of the
stream channel measured from top of bank to top of bank.
BACKGROUND:
Staff has discovered in the Flood Damage Prevention Code inconsistencies which result in
inadequate flood protection for new development. The current Flood Damage Prevention Code
requires a setback of five times the width of the stream channel or 20 feet, whichever is greater
where no floodplain exists. However, in a Zone A where floodplain is present but a floodway has
not been delineated, there is no setback from the stream channel. Staff is proposing to establish
a setback of 2.5 times the width of the channel or 25 feet whichever is greater in a Zone A.
Typically, the average width of the floodway in a Zone AE at the upper reaches of the stream
channel is approximately 50 feet. Therefore, the requirement is for a 25 foot setback from each
side. In a Zone AE where a detailed study does exist, development cannot occur in the floodway
without obtaining specific approval from FEMA through a Letter of Map Revision. Staff is
proposing establishing a setback from streams where no floodway exists.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
It is the purpose of this ordinance to promote the public health, safety and general welfare and to
minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions in specific areas as designated by the
latest adopted Flood Insurance Rate Maps.
PURPOSE OF CHANGE
The Flood Damage Prevention Code requires the use of a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM)
when determining if property is affected by floodplain. This FIRM delineates two types of
floodplains within the City. The first, Zone AE has the regulatory floodway, or channel
0 •
determined. In a regulatory floodway no encroachments, including fill, new construction,
substantial improvements, and other development is permitted unless demonstrated through
hydrologic and hydraulic analyses that the proposed encroachment would not result in any
increase in flood levels. In a Zone A, the regulatory floodway has not been determined, and
therefore no regulations against developing in the stream channel exist. Therefore, staff is
recommending an addition to the Flood Damage Prevention Code in which a setback from the
banks of a stream channel be enforced. In the event a developer would like to develop within the
prescribed setback, they must determine a floodway and base flood elevations.
Options in Zone A with new setback:
1. Comply with the 2.5 times the width of the stream channel or 25 foot setback
whichever is greater.
2. If applicant believes the FIRM is inaccurate, apply for a LOMA (Letter of Map
Amendment) through FEMA in which the boundaries of the floodplain may be
changed.
3. Hire a professional engineer to provide a detailed hydrologic and hydraulic study
which delineates the floodway, 100 year floodplain, and base flood elevations. The
new floodway that is determined will become the setback from the stream.
4. The applicant may modify the stream channel by submitting to FEMA a LOMR
(letter of map revision) pursuant to §G(7)(a) of the Flood Damage Prevention Code.
5. The applicant may seek a variance from the Planning Commission pursuant to §I of
the Flood Damage Prevention Code.
Currently, a setback is required from streams that are not in a special flood hazard Zone A or AE,
at five times the stream width or 20 feet, whichever is greater. Staff is purposing a change in the
setback to two and one half times the stream width or 25 feet whichever is greater. All of the
major streams within the city have been studied by the Corps of Engineers, and appear as a
special flood hazard zone on the FIRM. Therefore, any streams which do not have a
corresponding flood zone, which are affected by this change, are smaller, minor streams. It is for
this reason, that staff is recommending the setback be reduced to be consistent with the setback
proposed for a Zone A and the grading ordinance.
DEFINITIONS
Floodway (Regulatory floodway). 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 1 foot. Also referred to as
"Regulatory floodway."
Stream. A watercourse having a source and terminus, banks, and channel through which
waters flow at least periodically. Streams do not lose their character as a
watercourse even though the water may dry up. For the purposes of this
ordinance, streams are defined on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps as single lines
with no floodplain or floodway defined.
Zone A Special flood hazard areas inundated by the 100 year flood, determined by
approximate methods.
Zone AE Special flood areas inundated by the 100 year flood with base flood elevations
shown.
RECOMMENDED MOTION Recommend that City Council approve the attached ordinance
amendments which include the reduction in setback required from a stream in a Zone X and the
addition of a setback from the stream channel in a Zone A as specified on the Flood Insurance
Rate Map.(See pages 18 and 19 of the Flood Damage Prevention Code)
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• Planning Commission
October 8, 2001
Page 21
ADM 01-39.00: Administrative Item (City of Fayetteville —Section 168 (H)(5)(i) & 168 (H) (5)(j))
was submitted by the Planning Division on behalf of the City of Fayetteville. The request is to revise the
Flood Damage Prevention Code by adding/revising the setback from a stream bank in certain flood zones.
Estes: The remaining item ofbusiness that we have on our agenda this evening is an administrative
item 01-39, to revise the Flood Damage Prevention Code by adding/revising the setback
from a stream bank in certain flood zones. Mr. Conklin would you like to take a moment
and explain to us why this request is before us?
Conklin: I'm standing over here this evening in order to explain what we're trying to accomplish with
this ordinance amendment. This is a flood insurance rate map. They are published by
FEMA, the Planning Division is responsible for our floodplain management for the City of
Fayetteville. Sara Edwards is our floodplain administrator. These are the maps that we
use on a daily basis to make sure that our flood damage prevention is up to code and that
we're meeting our ordinance which is required by federal law for communities to adopt in
order to participate in the national flood insurance program for properties to receive flood
insurance. It is a federal program, we're required to enforce our ordinance. Our
• ordinance by the way, is more restrictive than what the federal government requires. We
require structures to be elevated 2' above our base flood elevation and we do have
additional standards. There are three areas on this map that we deal with on a daily basis.
The first area is an area that has a detailed study. These are areas where the Corp of
Engineers for FEMA have gone and done hydrologic and hydraulic models to determine
how high the water is going to get. They setup a flood way, an area that we try to make
sure all developments are kept out of. The rational behind this and the federal requirement
is that we take a stream and you allow development within this floodplain area which is this
entire area, that is this darker grey that you can't cause the water to increase by more than
one foot. We have this area, Zone A, a detailed study. Another area that we have are
these areas that are just grey on the map, they don't contain any flood way, there has been
no detailed study, there is no determination of how high the flood waters will be during a
hundred year storm. A 1% chance of a storm occurring at anytime in Fayetteville. Then
we have a third area that we deal with in our office, that is these areas that are shown as
a solid line on this flood insurance rate map. In these areas we also have a requirement for
structures to be set back from that solid line. I will pass this down, Ijust ust want to explain
to the Commission the different areas that we have. The City of Fayetteville has been very
fortunate since 1993, the Corp of Engineers and FEMA have conducted flood hazard
studies and flood insurance studies. The difference in the name is who funds them. We
have about 60% of our streams that have been restudied based on our 2' contours through
• our GIS system. We should receive the remaining 40% probably by the end of this year,
subject to funding. They have told me that we should have all of our streams complete.
0
• Planning Commission
October 8, 2001
Page 22
The only major river they did not look at was the White River. Fayetteville will have 100%
of our streams except for the White River with a new hydrologic hydraulic study
designating floodplain and flood ways with base flood elevations. The nice thing about this
is that it is tied to our GIS system and we can go in and it matches the contours.
Estes: Thank you Tim, is there any member of the audience who would like to provide public
comment on this administrative item, 01-39?
Conklin: One more thing. What we are changing, if you turn to page 6.2, on the bottom of that
page, currently we have a distance from a stream bank when there is no floodplain shown,
that is five times the width of the top of bank to top of bank. We are proposing, and that
is the line where there is no grey area, it is just a line outside at the top of the water shed
at the beginning of the creek, to change that from 5 times the width to 2'/2 times for a set
back. We are reducing the setback. We're also changing, which is not in this ordinance,
the minimum setback, say 5'h times is only 2 feet wide and you have 10 feet from 10 feet
to 25 feet. That is not shown on this page, it is on the top of 6.3. In the Zone A, those
areas that are shown just as grey, there is no floodway that has been determined.
• Currently, there is no setback. We have more of those grey areas where we don't have
any setback from the center ofthe stream. That has posed some problems in our office.
Keeping structures far enough away from the center ofthe creek. We are proposing the
same distance of 2'/2 times from the center of the creek, or 25 feet. Staff has come up with
25 feet based on the grading ordinance requirements of staying 25 feet from the creek so
that is where that number comes from. So in one instance we are reducing it at the very
top ofour streams, where they begin. In other places where we don't have any setback
right now, we are establishing a setback. Those are the differences. I know this is a fairly
technical ordinance. It is something that you hardly ever see us talk about here at the
Planning Commission but in our office we deal with this probably two or three times a
week. We do feel it is important that we establish these setbacks. They do have an option
if they would like to do a detailed hydrologic hydraulic study to determine what the base
flood elevation is in floodway for it to be closer to the center of the creek. Basically we're
trying to have a buffer area away from these creeks where currently we don't have a
setback. If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer them at this time.
Man: Tim, a question I guess. Have we had a history of flooding in these situations where we
are increasing that which is prompting us to do it or is it purely a possibility?
Conklin: We have had situations where due to the new detailed studies we do now have homes that
• may have not been in the floodplain that are now in the floodplain. I think anything we can
do to at least have a minimum setback from the creek is going to potentially help get those
40
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Planning Commission
October 8, 2001
Page 23
properties out of the floodplain. Right now there has been no detailed study. When the
detailed study comes back sometimes those flood heights have gone up a couple of feet,
in some areas they have gone down a couple of feet. It just depends on how accurate the
old study was, which in my opinion wasn't very accurate. When they come back with a
new one the floodplain boundaries have really moved around quite a bit to actually follow
the contours ofland to actually show where it will flood. We haven't had a situation where
we had structures damaged because of this but we have had structures that probably
should've been outside a floodplain if they would've set their houses further back from the
creek which means anytime you have a federally insured mortgage, FDIC, you are
required for the life of that loan to have flood insurance. With those structures, depending
on how high they are, your flood insurance rates vary. In a way we're trying to protect our
creeks, we're trying to protect current homeowners and future homeowners, and have at
least a minimum buffer area from the creek. Right now when someone comes in in the
Zone A, the shaded area, there is no setback based on this flood damage prevention code
and that is what we're trying to establish.
Man: How does this protect a current homeowner in that situation?
• Conklin: In a current homeowner, it doesn't.
•
Man: Ok, so it is really for future building then?
Conklin: It will help staff. This is one of the things we do administratively. It will help us require
homes to be setback at least 25' from the creek.
Ward: Tim, in Zone A would they have an option also of building up instead of setting back?
Conklin: Yes, and we do have situations where they come in and we have to try and establish the
base flood elevation. We look at contour maps and determine where that shaded area is
in relationship to the ground elevation. They are required in a Zone A where there is no
detailed study to have the highest adjacent grade in that Zone A to be 2' above that. The
highest adjacent grade would need to be 2' above that. However, we don't know exactly
how high the water will get because there hasn't been a detailed study. Once again, trying
to set up a minimum setback. Another thing as staff that we have had trouble with, if
you're in the shaded area you don't have a setback. If you are outside the shaded area
and it is a solid line you have five times the width of the creek. It is just depending on
whether or not it is shaded on the map or it is not shaded. We are trying to create a level
playing field for all property adjacent to a creek that there is at least a minimum setback.
Another thing to remember is that we should have all of our streams studied by the end of
•
40
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Planning Commission
October 8, 2001
Page 24
this year. They have done a tremendousjob ob of going as far up the stream as possible to
delineate floodways. In that situation we know where to keep the structures out of the
creek. It is our automatically set setback. It is the flood way boundary, you don't
encroach into that area. This will impact just a few individuals where there hasn't been a
detailed study. Almost of all our creeks will have detailed studies.
Ward: Do they have either/or? I mean either a 25' setback or build up?
Conklin: We are trying to establish that. We have reduced the setback for those creeks that don't
have any floodplain shown. Just because they don't have a floodplain shown we all realize
that there is water in those creeks and they do flood. Right now we have a setback on
those creeks of 5 times the width and then we jump over, so you're going downstream,
you have a setback upstream. As you're going downstream all the sudden you go to an
area where there is no setback which theoretically would have more water as you're going
downstream. In an effort to balance this we've proposed to change the 5 times the width
outside upstream and create that to 2'%times and then the one that didn't have any setback
to adopt a 2% times. There was some compromise there from staff. We didn't want to
set the same setback in both of these areas since we are creating more regulation within
the Zone A where there currently isn't any regulation, but to recognize that as you go up
stream it should be potentially less hazardous because there is less water upstream.
Hoffman: I have a couple of questions. Are the definitions the same?
Conklin: Yes.
Hoffman: Lets say we have a pretty big development or something come in in one of these areas,
many times they will channelize an existing stream to work around the development. In that
case they would then, by just the nature of the large development, be providing a detailed
study?
Conklin: Yes, if they are going to be channelizing there is going to be a hydrologic hydraulic study.
They will be amending the actual FEMA map and establishing a floodway.
Hoffman: So this doesn't prevent that?
Conklin: No, in most larger developments they are doing studies already. They are looking through
our stormwater ordinance to look at ultimate build out. This FEMA map doesn't look at
ultimate build out. Our storm water ordinance actually requires more of a study to look
at current land use and future land use and build out and how that impacts their drainage
Planning Commission
• October 8, 2001
Page 25
structures and they have to design those drainage structures for ultimate build out. We are
doing a lot to protect the development actually being developed and to make sure that
flood waters can pass through those developments. Once again, these are items that we
deal with on a daily basis administratively. It is the detached garage, it is maybe an
addition to a house getting 3' from the creek. Knowing that the Corp of Engineers is out
there doing a detailed study at this time, that garage could be potentially within a flood way.
We want to establish a minimum setback from the creek in those Zone A areas.
Hoffman: Just to clarify, I didn't understand the answer to Lee's question too well. In a Waal urban
area then, in a small lot where there is not much room to build, I guess I don't see any
language in here that actually says they can provide an engineered solution to building up
a way from the flood way.
Mar: I agree that needs to be in there. You see that out in Elkins on building on the White River.
Conklin: It talks about that under the suggested ordinance addition. This is a Zone A. In all areas
designated Zone A on the FIRM detailed study has not been completed to specify the
• flood way and base flood elevations, no building or fill shall be located within a distance
of 2'/2 times the width of the stream measured from top bank to top bank or 25' on each
side, whichever is greater. The next sentence provides that out. "Provided the applicant
may choose if not required by other provisions ofthis chapter, to provide a detailed study
which delineates the flood way, hundred year floodplain boundary and base flood
elevations. At such time study is provided, adopted by the City Council, the applicant shall
meet all standards required when the base flood elevations are specified on the FIRM.",
which is the flood insurance rate map. We are giving them an out. Ifthey want to prove
to us that the water is not going to impact their development, they have that right.
Man: You are not giving them an engineering solution. You are giving them a study solution.
Conklin: Yes, a study. Right now there is no study. That Zone A could be 100' too wide or 100'
too short.
Man: If you have an engineering solution that is comparable to 2%z times the width of the stream
or 25', I mean it has been engineered to have the same protection that that provides, why
would that not be allowed?
Conklin: I understand what you are saying. We also have provisions in our ordinance that allow
individuals to apply with the City's approval to amend the flood insurance rate map, the
• floodplain map that I passed down.
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• Planning Commission
October 8, 2001
Page 26
ii
I.
Hoffman: Can we reference that section in here? I think it is important because what you've said is
that they can provide a detailed study but it doesn't say what the study will get for them.
Conklin: Ok, I see your point. For example, the Boys and Girls Club, they are changing the flood
way floodplain out there where the ball fields are going. It is possible on larger
developments when they can afford to do that.
Ward: Can you kind of rewrite this a little bit where it would spell it out more?
Conklin: Sure, that wouldn't be a problem.
Bunch: Also Tim, on that same thing, if there is a situation where it is fairly obvious that the
elevations are such, say a piece of property that has a severe hillside or a knoll or
something of that nature, is there a provision where the elevations are obvious, is there a
mechanism by which someone can locate closer to the stream bank? Is there an avenue
to provide for exceptions when the terrain, since we are in a hilled area, we also have flat
lands, where there is high ground that is obvious that a person could build a garage closer
to the creek bank if they are on a bluff or something like that?
Conklin: Hopefully, a more detailed engineering study would remove that property outside of the
floodplain if they are up on a bluff. Our maps are getting better with the technology
everyday. We did have some situations where we did have people up on top of a hill that
were in a floodplain. With the new data that we have tied to our GIS system that doesn't
happen. With the remaining 40% coming to us by the end of this year hopefully that
resolves those situations. One thing that staffhas to abide by is that we can not change that
flood insurance rate map. Only FEMA can change that map. Even if there is a mistake,
we can send that data into FEMA and ask that they amend the map or revise the map but
we have such good data to work with today that that doesn't happen often.
Bunch: What we are looking at here is one little specific item in the grand scheme ofthings and we
don't have before us the rest of the ordinance. When we are asking these questions we
don't really know if it is covered by other parts of the ordinance or not. I think that may
be one of the reasons we are fishing for solutions or exceptions.
Conklin: This is an ordinance that you typically don't deal with at Planning Commission either. This
is administrative, staffbuilding permit level type activity that we do on a weekly basis in our
office. I can understand some of the confusion. I do like the suggestion of adding in there
unless they amend the flood insurance rate map through the appropriate process they can
remove that property out and build in those areas. I will add that if you do recommend
[C
0
Planning Commission
• October 8, 2001
Page 27
approval of this and forward it to the City Council. I will get that language in there to
clarify that.
Ward: Do you think we should table this?
Conklin: I don't think you should table it.
Hoffman: Can we put a variance procedure in it?
Estes: Mr. Conklin, if you are going to rewrite it, my preference would be that we do table it and
rewrite it. I don't see how we can approve something knowing that there is going to be
a rewrite on it. Our vote of course is advisory only to the City Council but we need to
know what we are advising.
Conklin: Sure. Once again, I have verbalized what I was going to put in there. If you would like
to see it in writing I certainly can get it to you in writing. This is not a pressing issue for our
office. This is just something that we've had to deal with where one property owner is
• upstream where there is no Zone A and one property is downstream. One property
owner has 5 times the width of the stream, upstream. The other property in the
crosshatched area doesn't have any setbacks. We are trying to equalize our administration
of this ordinance.
MOTION:
Ward: I would like to ask that we table ADM 01-39 until we get this other language in there since
you don't see it as a pressing need right this minute. I would like to table it. To be honest,
it is a little bit complicated. I got to thinking about two or three things all of the sudden and
now I'm confused. I move that we table it and see if we can change the language to some
degree.
Estes: We have a motion by Commissioner Ward to table ADM 01-39. Is there a second?
Hoffman: Second.
Estes: We have a second by Commissioner Hoffman, is there any further discussion?
Marr: I am probably going to vote against the motion, not because I don't think we need to know
• what it is. I think we've had some discussion about what point we want to add and I don't
know what more we would see other than the sentence we just talked about unless there
0
49
• Planning Commission
October 8, 2001
Page 28
is some other discussion point that we think is being missed. I guess I would like to know
what else we're waiting to look at other than that one item. We've often referred to Tim
to administratively change language and so forth in other items and I certainly have the
same trust in this situation.
Shackelford: I too will vote against tabling this. I concur with Commissioner Marr'.s statements on this.
I would also like to add that this is simply a recommendation to City Council and would
have another up to three readings at City Council before it was approved it would have the
appropriate language in it. I too will vote against tabling it at this time.
Marr: I am just curious if there is another item other than the one we specifically talked about as
being missing or is it purely the language of that item?
Ward: The language of it.
Estes: Any other discussion? We have a motion by Commissioner Ward to table ADM 01-39
and a second by Commissioner Hof man. Renee, would you call the roll please?
• ROLL CALL: Upon completion of roll call the motion to table ADM 01-39 was approved by a vote of
5-3-0 with Commissioners Man, Shackelford and Church voting against it.
Estes: The motion passes by a vote of five to three. Is there any other business to come before
the Commission?
Conklin: There is no other business. I would like to remind the Commission and the audience that
there is a trails and greenways forum coming up October 25 and 26. Any Commissioners
that are interested please let me know. Thanks.
Estes: We are adjourned.
Meeting adjourned: 6:52 p.m.
•
Planning Commission
October 22, 2001
Page 3
Roll call and approval of the minutes from October 8, 2001.
Estes: Welcome to the Monday, October 22, 2001 meeting of the Fayetteville Planning
Commission. The first item of business is the roll call. Renee, would you call the roll
please?
ROLL CALL: Upon the calling ofroll six Commissioners were present with Commissioner Church being
absent, Commissioners Hoffman and Marr arrived at 5:35.
Estes: A quorum being present the next item of business is approval of the minutes from the
October 8, 2001 meeting. Are there any changes, additions, comments or amendments
to the minutes from the October 8, 2001 meeting? Seeing none they will be approved.
ADM 01-39.00 Administrative Item to revise the Flood Damage Prevention Code by adding/revising
the setback from a stream bank in Zone A and Zone X flood zones. The proposal is to change the setback
from a stream where a flood plain has been delineated from 5 times the width of the stream channel or 20
feet to 2.5 times the width of the stream channel or 25 feet whichever is greater. The second proposal is
to establish a setback from a stream bank in a floodplain where a detailed study has not been provided
(Zone A) at 2.5 times the width of the stream channel measured from top of bank to top of bank.
Estes: The first item on the agenda under old business is Administrative Item to revise the flood
damage prevention code by adding and revising the setbacks. Before we begin the
discussion of this item, Renee would you let the roll call reflect that Commissioner Hoffman
is now present and attending? Tim, are you going to make a presentation regarding this
administrative item?
Conklin: Yes I will. If you refer to page 1.2 it outlines the options of what you can develop in a
Zone A, this item was tabled at the last Planning Commission meeting in order for the
Commission to have more detailed information with regard to how this impacts individual's
property when they develop within an area that is designated as a hundred year floodplain
as shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Map. The proposed amendments include requiring
a setback from the stream 2'h times the width of the stream channel or a 25 foot setback,
whichever is greater. If the applicant would like to see if that data is inaccurate, they could
apply for a letter of map amendment through FEMA which the boundaries could be
changed. Another option would be for the applicant to hire a professional engineer to do
a detailed hydrologic hydraulic study which would delineate a floodway. A floodway then
would act as the setback. The applicant could modify the channel and we've included that
section of the ordinance that allows an applicant to modify the channel and thereby
relocating the stream on the property or ifthe applicant believes that the regulations need
Planning Commission
October 22, 2001
Page 4
to be varied, they could apply for a variance to the Planning Commission. Once again, we
are trying to establish a minimum setback within a Zone A which is a hundred year
floodplain with no detailed study shown on a FIRM map. The second amendment would
be to revise the setback. We currently require, upstream from the Zone A, five times the
width. In looking at our Flood Insurance Rate Maps, typically, as you go further upstream,
your floodway narrows. On average what we found is about a 50ft wide floodway which
would correspond to that minimum 25 foot setback. In one area we are establishing a
setback in the area upstream we're reducing that setback but that setback more
corresponds to what a floodway would be on that property. We are trying to offer
protection for both upstream and downstream properties. If you have any questions I
would be happy to answer them at this time.
Estes: Thank you Tim. Before we take public comment on this proposed administrative item,
Renee, would you let the roll call reflect that Commissioner Man is now present and
attending?
Thomas: Yes.
Estes: Is there any Commissioner who has a question of Mr. Conklin before we proceed to
public comment?
Bunch: On our map on page 1.5, showing Zone X on page 1.4 we do not show Zone X in the
revised ordinance, could you clarify that please?
Conklin: Zone X represents areas that are outside the hundred year floodplain. There are actually
two areas that are classified as Zone X, one is an area ofthe 500 year floodplain where
flood water depths are less than 1' and also every area outside that area is also called Zone
X. It is within this Zone X where we have streams shown as a solid line on the Flood
Insurance Rate Map that this ordinance applies to. We go back to the definition of a
stream, a stream is defined as any water way that shows up in a Flood Insurance Rate
Map, that is a solid line. That is where we have the current setback of 5 times the width.
Once again, looking at floodways and how they have been delineated on the Flood
Insurance Rate Maps, typically, they are about 50 feet. To kind of give you an idea of
what a floodway is, it is an area that they require that development be free and clear of, it
carries the flood waters, high velocities. When they establish the floodway, they take in
both sides of the bank and they pull it in to establish the floodway. Under federal law the
water as you fill in the floodway can't rise more than one foot. That is what a floodway
is and it is to make sure that if you fill in the entire floodplain that you still have carrying
capacity and you don't increase flood waters over one foot.
Planning Commission
October 22, 2001
Page 5
Estes: Any other question of Mr. Conklin before we proceed to public comment?
PUBLIC COMMENT
Estes: Is there any member of the audience who would like to comment on this proposed
administrative item to revise the flood damage prevention code by adding or revising the
setback from the stream bank? Seeing none I will bring it back to the Commission for
discussion or motions.
Ward: We've done quite a bit of work on this Tim and it makes sense to me and I will make a
recommendation that we approve ADM 01-39 administrative item to revise the flood
damage prevention code with the setbacks and I guess that is all I need to do.
Estes: We have a motion by Commissioner Ward to approve ADM 01-39 is there a second?
Hoffman: I'll second.
Estes: I'll give the second to Commissioner Hoffman. Is there any discussion? Any comments?
We have a motion by Commissioner Ward to approve ADM 01-39 and a second by
Commissioner Hoffman. Renee, would you call the roll please?
ROLL CALL: Upon the completion of roll call the motion to approve ADM 01-39 is approved by a vote
of 8-0-0.
Estes: The motion passes by a vote of eight to zero.
SSTAFF REVIEW FORM •
X AGENDA REQUEST
CONTRACT REVIEW
GRANT REVIEW
For the Fayetteville City Council meeting of February 5, 2002.
FROM:
Tim Conklin Planning Urban Development
Name Division Department
ACTION REQUIRED: To approve an ordinance for ADM 01-39.00 to revise the Flood Damage
Prevention Code by adding/revising the setback required from a stream bank in Zone
A and Zone X flood zones as shown on the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map. The
proposal is to change the setback from a stream where a floodplain has not been
delineated from 5 times the width of the stream channel or 20 feet to 2.5 times the
width of the stream channel or 25 feet whichever is greater. The second proposal
is to establish a setback of 2.5 times the width of the stream channel or 25 feet
whichever is greater from a stream bank in a Zone A floodplain where a detailed
study has not been provided.
COST TO CITY:
Cost of this Request Category/Project Budget Category/Project Name
Account Number Funds Used To Date Program Name
Project Number Remaining Balance Fund
BUDGET REVIEW: Budgeted Item Budget Adjustment Attached
Budget Manager Administrative Services Director
CONTRACT/GRANT/LEASE REVIEW: GRANTING AGENCY:
Accounting Mana er DatInternal Auditor Date
City A orney DWe�
ADA Coordinator Date
Purchasing Officer Date
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommended approval and on October 22, 2001 the
Fayettevil1ePlann,rig Commission voted 8-0-0 for approval.
Date
i-Iq-eZ
Date
/2/by
t
Date
Cross Reference
New Item: Yes
Prev Ord/Res #:
Orig Contract Date:
Orig Contract Number:
FAYETTEViLE
THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS
DEPARTMENTAL CORRESPOND
To: Tim Conklin, Planning Director
From: Heather Woodruff, City Clerk
Date: February 11, 2002
Attached is a copy of the ordinance amending flood damage and prevention code. The original
will be microfilmed and filed with the City Clerk.
cc: Jim Beavers, Engineering
010 03 City of Fayetteville
Update 0Index Maintenance
Document It Action
2/15/2002
16:26:46
Reference Date Ref. Taken Brief Description
ORD 2052002 4368 AMENDING TITLE XV/UDO
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Enter Keywords........: ORD. 4368
File Reference #......:
Security Class........:
Expiration Date.......:
Date for Cont/Referred:
Name Referred to......:
Retention Type:
**** Active
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Yes
No
(c) 1986-1992
Munimetrix Systems Corp.
iac11�t1iia 'LM L1].i'
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT -GAZETTE
Northwest Arkansas Edition
N.W. Arkansas Times ------- Benton County Daily Record
P.O. Box 1607 I'.O. Box 1049
Faycucville, AR 72702 Bentonville. Alt 72712
I'honc (479) 571-6400 l'honc: (479) 271-3700
Fax: (479) 442-1760 Fax: (479) K45-1036
VY
AFFIDAVIT OF PUBLICATION
/_
1, 1l/(( , do solemnly swear that I am Legal
Clerk of the Arkansas Democrat -Gazette newspaper, printed and published
at Lowell, Arkansas, and that from my own personal knowledge and
reference to the files of said publication, the advertisement of:
Ord Nn, 4308
was inserted in the regular editions on:
3/r c0 2-0O
** Publication Charge S 4X n •i g
Purchase Order
Subscribed and sworn to before me this
day of.y \ 2002
Notary Public
My Commission expires:___,,,,..(
•,M-OfFi W seal
TAMMY ALLEN_
�nINGTON
COUTY
WASH ff...,: 112011
**
RECE!VFD
MAR 252002
CITY OFFAY, j,E
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
will be sent.
a,
oats or varl-
emeiUs of this
a pwsona ag-
in of the Plan -
aiding a vani-
ppeal such a
of competent
1. mere are exceptional Or ex-
traordinary circumstances or condi-
tions applicable to the property
Involved or to the Intended use of the
yopaty, whkh do not apply genemiy
at other property in the same flood
zone:
II. a determination that failure to
grant the variance would result in
upon such ; excDtpnal hardship to the applicant:
muameu „vvu
,r,other etod ns 01 tin Ordsancl.ie in gay to wink isf
otller sections c s may
be. pubic expense,
b. Variances , ry be issued for
; the reconstruction, rehabilitation ted in or �h c, or conll
atoaRgistructuresoric thein prmfsions of the Co
National iut regird ttothistoricedure, g, Variancesi
zIdent fi d in regard remaindero the nrer of this new construction
" ordininc. ml be improvements
.,ordinance. Variances may only be development ne
issued for such repair frhehobdnace conduct of a functl
•� If shim enforcement enforcement of the ordinance use provided that t
,would preclude the structure's 168.03(A) are satin
continued designation a historic structure or other
.. structure, and the variance Is the meth,
....nun. nMeeciam M n@SRNa the protected by
C. uentralry, rmuu,wa mr
"issued for new construction and
:Issued Improvements to be
.,:erected an a lot 'A acre or less in size
• contiguous to and surrounded by lots
y�rwith existing structures constructed
below, the base flood level,
rovidingitems (1) through (11) of
16&u.0 (A) have been fully
'considered. As the lot size Increases
beyond 'A acre, the technical
justification required for Issuing the
:, e. V determination
hebsuh
roppon a determination that the
variance is the minimum necessary,
considering the flood hazard, to afford
fm'% Fiodplmvalia nahe8onN
lbbwndtl: ..
h, Upon consideration of the
factors In this Section and the
purposes of this ordinance, the Plan-
ning Commission may impose
conditions to the granting of
floodpiain variances as It deems
necessary to further the purposes of
I. Any applicant to whom a
Administrator In the office of the
Washington County Clerk and shall be
recorded in a manner so that it
pears in the chain of title of the
parcel m land.
Section A. That Chapter 168:
Flood Damage Prevention Code,
Unified Development Ordinance,
Code of Fayetteville is hereby
repeated, and Exhibit 'B' with
Appendix attached haelo and made a
pmt hereto, b inserted in hs stead.
PASSED and APPROVED this 5'
day of ,2802.
APPROVED.
y DA. 0000y, Mawr
AiyElP Heats Woodruff,
MaClerk
r
16, 2002
588193 5881930 .. -