HomeMy WebLinkAboutA002 - Council Action Form dated April 21, 1987 ITEM #:�
DATE:
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
SUBJECT: Motion to Set a Date for Public Hearing on Revisions to Chapter 9,
Flood Plain Zoning Regulations
BACKGROUND:
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has recently made revisions to its
flood insurance program through its Floodplain Management Criteria. These
management criteria are contained in the City's floodplain zoning regulations
and therefore need to be changed. The Department of Natural Resources in the
State of Iowa has created a model ordinance that if adopted will enable cities
to come into compliance with the suggested changes as created by FEMA.
These changes include a modification to the definition for a mobile home and a
mobile home park. The new definition calls these structures factory-built
homes so as not to be in conflict with the state's definition for manufactured
housing. Travel trailers and other similar vehicles are also included in this
definition if they are to be located on a site for more than 180 days. The
revised regulations would require that all new factory-built homes that are
moved into an existing park would have to be elevated above the 100-year flood
elevation and be located on permanent foundations.
Another new revision in the floodplain ordinance deals with the elevation of
mechanical and utility equipment in new or substantially improved structures
to prevent water from entering or accumulating around these facilities. The
new ordinance will also require that all areas below the lowest floor, not
including basements, that are subject to flooding be designed so as to equal-
ize the hydrostatic or floodwater pressures that are created to the exterior
walls by allowing for water to move through entryways and exitways.
The revised ordinance, which is attached to this Council Action Form, has been
reviewed by the staff of the Department of Planning and Housing, the City's
Legal Department, and the City's Building Inspector. Further, this ordinance
has also been reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission and it has been
recommended that the City Council adopt this ordinance.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. The City Council can approve of the revised floodplain zoning ordinance
and set May 5, 1987 as the date for Public Hearing to consider comments on
the revised floodplain zoning ordinance.
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2. The City Council can deny approval of the floodplain zoning ordinance.
Denial of this ordinance will eliminate the City' s eligibility for flood
insurance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
3. The City Council can refer the request back to City staff for further
review and comment.
MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
It is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alter-
native #1. This will approve of the revised floodplain zoning ordinance and
set May 5, 1987 as the date for Public Hearing to consider comments on this
revised ordinance. The City Council should understand that the Federal
Emergency Management Agency is requiring that all cities adopt these revised
ordinances no later than 90 days from April 1, 1987.
COUNCIL ACTION: