Point Arena Municipal Code Art. IV Administration

A development permit shall be obtained before any construction or other development begins within any area of special flood hazard established in PAMC 16.10.070. Application for a development permit shall be made on forms 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 the foregoing. Specifically, the following information is required:

(1) Site plan, including, but not limited to:

(a) For all proposed structures, spot ground elevations at building corners and 20-foot or smaller intervals along the foundation footprint, or one-foot contour elevations throughout the building site; and

(b) Proposed locations of water supply, sanitary sewer, and utilities; and

(c) If available, the base flood elevation from the Flood Insurance Study and/or Flood Insurance Rate Map; and

(d) If applicable, the location of the regulatory floodway; and

(2) Foundation design detail, including, but not limited to:

(a) Proposed elevation in relation to mean sea level of the lowest floor (including basement) of all structures; and

(b) For a crawl-space foundation, location and total net area of foundation openings as required in PAMC 16.10.170(3)(c) and FEMA Technical Bulletins TB 1-93 and TB 7-93; and

(c) For foundations placed on fill, the location and height of fill, and compaction requirements (compacted to 95 percent using the Standard Proctor Test method); and

(3) Proposed elevation in relation to mean sea level to which any nonresidential structure will be floodproofed, as required in PAMC 16.10.170(3)(b) and FEMA Technical Bulletin TB 3-93; and

(4) All appropriate certifications listed in PAMC 16.10.150(5); and

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

(Ord. 172 § 4.1, 1999; Ord. 231 § 1, 2017.)

The city manager is hereby appointed to administer, implement, and enforce this chapter.

(Ord. 172 § 4.2, 1999; Ord. 231 § 1, 2017.)

The duties and responsibilities of the floodplain administrator shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(1) Permit Review. Review all development permits to determine that:

(a) Permit requirements of this chapter have been satisfied, including determination of substantial improvement and substantial damage of existing structures;

(b) All other required state and federal permits have been obtained;

(c) The site is reasonably safe from flooding; and

(d) The proposed development does not adversely affect the carrying capacity of areas where base flood elevations have been determined but a floodway has not been designated. 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.

(e) All Letters of Map Revision (LOMRs) for flood control projects are approved prior to the issuance of building permits. Building permits shall not be issued based on Conditional Letters of Map Revision (CLOMRs). Approved CLOMRs allow construction of the proposed flood control project.

(2) Review, Use and Development of Other Base Flood Data.

(a) When base flood elevation data has not been provided in accordance with PAMC 16.10.070, the floodplain administrator shall obtain, review, and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation and floodway data available from a federal or state agency, or other source, in order to administer Article V of this chapter. Any such information shall be submitted to the city council for adoption; or

(b) If no base flood elevation data is available from a federal or state agency or other source, then a base flood elevation shall be obtained using one of two methods from the FEMA publication "Managing Floodplain Development in Approximate Zone A Areas – A Guide for Obtaining and Developing Base (100-Year) Flood Elevations" dated July 1995 in order to administer Article V of this chapter:

(i) Simplified Method.

(A) One-hundred-year or base flood discharge shall be obtained using the appropriate regression equation found in a U.S. Geological Survey publication, or the discharge-drainage area method; and

(B) Base flood elevation shall be obtained using the Quick-2 computer program developed by FEMA; or

(ii) Detailed Method.

(A) One-hundred-year or base flood discharge shall be obtained using the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' HEC-HMS computer program, and Corps of Engineers' HEC-HMS computer program; and

(B) Base flood elevation shall be obtained using the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' HEC-RAS computer program.

(3) Notification of Other Agencies. In alteration or relocation of a watercourse:

(a) Notify adjacent communities and the California Department of Water Resources prior to alteration or relocation;

(b) Submit evidence of such notification to the Federal Insurance Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency; and

(c) Assure that the flood carrying capacity within the altered or relocated portion of said watercourse is maintained.

(4) Base Flood Elevation Changes Due to Physical Alterations.

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

(b) All LOMRs for flood control project are approved prior to the issuance of building permits. Building permits must not be issued based on Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMRs). Approved CLOMRs allow construction of the proposed flood control project and land preparation as specified in the "start of construction" definition.

Such submissions are necessary so that upon conformation of those physical changes affecting flooding conditions, risk premium rates and floodplain management requirements are based on current data.

(5) Documentation of Floodplain Development. Obtain and maintain for public inspection and make available as needed the following:

(a) Certification required by PAMC 16.10.170(3)(a) and 16.10.200 (lowest floor elevations);

(b) Certification required by PAMC 16.10.170(3)(b) (elevation or floodproofing of nonresidential structures);

(c) Certification required by PAMC 16.10.170(3)(c) (wet floodproofing standard);

(d) Certification of elevation required by PAMC 16.10.190(2) (subdivision standards);

(e) Certification required by PAMC 16.10.220(2) (floodway encroachments); and

(f) Information required by PAMC 16.10.230(6) (coastal construction standards).

(6) Map Determinations. Make interpretations, where needed, as to the exact location of the boundaries of the areas of special flood hazard. Where there appears to be a conflict between a mapped boundary and actual field conditions, grade and base flood elevations shall be used to determine the boundaries of the special flood hazard area. The person contesting the location of the boundary shall be given a reasonable opportunity to appeal the interpretation as provided in Article VI of this chapter.

(7) Remedial Action. Take action to remedy violations of this chapter as specified in PAMC 16.10.080.

(8) Complete and submit biennial report to FEMA.

(9) Assure the Point Arena Local Coastal Program is consistent with floodplain management objectives herein.

(Ord. 172 § 4.3, 1999; Ord. 231 § 1, 2017.)

The city council of the city of Point Arena shall hear and decide appeals 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.

(Ord. 172 § 4.4, 1999; Ord. 231 § 1, 2017.)