Corona Municipal Code Ch. 18.16 Administration

The City Manager is designated as the Floodplain Administrator. The Floodplain Administrator and his or her designees are authorized to administer and implement the provisions of this title by granting or denying development permit applications in accordance with such provisions.

(`78 Code, § 18.16.010.) (Ord. 1886 § 1 (part), 1988.)

(A) A development permit shall be obtained before construction or development begins within any area of special flood hazard established in § 18.12.020. Application for a development permit shall be made on forms furnished by the Floodplain Administrator and shall 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 and drainage facilities; and the location of the foregoing.

(B) The following specific information shall be provided by the applicant:

(1) The elevation in relation to mean sea level of the lowest floor (including basement) of all structures;

(2) The elevation in relation to mean sea level to which any structure will be floodproofed;

(3) All appropriate certifications listed in § 18.16.030(D); and

(4) A description of the extent to which any watercourse will be altered or relocated as a result of the proposed development.

(`78 Code, § 18.16.020.) (Ord. 1886 § 1 (part), 1988.)

(A) The Floodplain Administrator shall review all development permit applications and shall:

(1) Determine whether the requirements of this title have been satisfied;

(2) Determine whether all necessary approvals have been obtained from those federal, state or local governmental agencies from which prior approval is required;

(3) Determine whether the site is reasonably safe from flooding;

(4) Require until a regulatory floodway is designated that no new construction, substantial improvements or other development (including fill) shall be permitted with Zones A1-30 and AE on the City of Corona's Flood Insurance Rate Map, FIRM, unless it is demonstrated 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 within the community.

(B) When BFE data has not been provided in accordance with § 18.12.020, the Floodplain Administrator shall obtain, review and reasonably utilize any BFE data available from a federal, state or other source in order to administer the provisions of Chapter 18.20. Any such data shall be submitted to the City Council for adoption.

(C) Whenever a watercourse is to be altered or relocated, the Floodplain Administrator shall:

(1) Notify adjacent communities and the California Department of Water Resources prior to such alteration or relocation of a watercourse and submit evidence of such notification to the Federal Insurance Administration;

(2) Require that the flood-carrying capacity of the altered or relocated portion of the watercourse be maintained.

(D) Require all Letters of Map Revision ("LOMR's") to be approved by FEMA prior to the issuance of a first certificate of occupancy, and all Conditional Letters of Map Revision ("CLOMR's") to be approved by FEMA prior to issuance of grading permits.

(`78 Code, § 18.60.030.) (Ord. 2961 § 5, 2008; Ord. 1886 § 1 (part), 1988.)

The Floodplain Administrator shall make interpretations where needed as to the exact location of the boundaries of the areas of special flood hazard (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 such interpretation as provided in Chapter 18.24.

(`78 Code, § 18.60.040.) (Ord. 1886 § 1 (part), 1988.)

The Floodplain Administrator shall:

(A) Obtain and maintain for public inspection and make available as needed the certifications required by §§ 18.20.010(C)(1) (floor elevations); 18.20.010(C)(2) (elevations in areas of shallow flooding); 18.20.010(C)(3)(c) (elevation or floodproofing of nonresidential structures); 18.20.010(C)(4)(a) or (b) (wet floodproofing standards); 18.20.030(B) (subdivision standard); and 18.20.050(A) (floodway encroachments).

(B) Develop detailed procedures for identifying and administering requirements for substantial improvement and substantial damage, including developing a definition for "Market Value" using FEMA publication FEMA 213, "Answers to Questions About Substantially Damaged Buildings."

(C) Assure procedures are coordinated with other departments/divisions and implemented by community staff.

(D) Within six months of information becoming available or project completion, whichever comes first, submit, or assure that the permit applicant submits, technical or scientific data to FEMA for a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR).

(E) Ensure that all LOMR's are approved prior to the issuance of a first certificate of occupancy, and that all CLOMR's are approved prior to issuance of grading permits.

(F) Notify FEMA in writing whenever the corporate boundaries have been modified by annexation or other means and include a copy of a map of the community clearly delineating the new corporate limits.

(G) The Floodplain Administrator shall take appropriate action to remedy any violation of this title.

(`78 Code, § 18.16.050.) (Ord. 2961 § 6, 2008; Ord. 1886 § 1 (part), 1988.)

(A) Any person aggrieved or affected by any final determination made by the Floodplain Administrator in considering an application for a development permit or interpreting any provision of this title may, no later than ten days from the date of notification of the decision, file a written notice of appeal therefrom. The notice of appeal shall be filed in duplicate with the City Clerk and shall state the grounds for the appeal and the specific factual or legal errors it is alleged were committed by the Floodplain Administrator in considering the application or interpreting the provisions of this title. The City Clerk shall forthwith transmit one copy of the notice of appeal to the Floodplain Administrator.

(B) The City Council shall consider the appeal at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting occurring not less than ten days after the date the notice of appeal was filed. Upon considering the appeal, the Council shall make its decision sustaining, reversing or modifying the decision of the Floodplain Administrator.

(C) No variance shall be granted by the City Council except pursuant to the procedures set forth in Chapter 18.24.

(`78 Code, § 18.16.060.) (Ord. 1886 § 1 (part), 1988.)