[Code 1961, § 3.17.03; Ord. No.
78-4, 9-25-1978; Ord. No. 79-2 § 1, 1-16-1979; Ord. No. 08-03, 9-2-2008; Ord. No. 09-07, 9-8-2009]
For the purpose of this article only, the following definitions
shall apply.
A use or structure on the same lot with, and of a nature
customarily incidental and subordinate to, the principal use or structure.
An underground stratum of earth, gravel or porous stone that
contains water.
The flood having a one-percent chance of being equaled or
exceeded in any given year, also referred to as the one-hundred-year
flood, as published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
as part of a Flood Insurance Study (FIS) and depicted on a Flood Insurance
Rate Map (FIRM).
The elevation of the crest of the base flood or one-hundred-year
flood. The height in relation to mean sea level expected to be reached
by the waters of the base flood at pertinent points in the floodplains
of coastal and riverine areas.
For the purposes of floodplain management, a basement is
any area of the building having its floor subgrade (below ground level)
on all sides.
See "structure."
That percentage of the plot or lot area covered by the building
area.
As related to substantial improvements, the cost of any reconstruction,
rehabilitation, addition, alteration, repair or other improvement
of a structure shall be established by a detailed written contractor's
estimate. The estimate shall be established by a detailed materials
list (interior finishing elements, structural elements, utility and
service equipment); sales tax on materials, building equipment and
fixtures, including heating and air conditioning and utility meters;
labor; built-in appliances; demolition and site preparation; repairs
made to damaged parts of the building worked on at the same time;
contractor's overhead; contractor's profit; and grand total
items to be excluded include: cost of plans and specification, survey
costs, permit fees, outside improvements such as septic systems, water
supply wells, landscaping, sidewalks, fences, yard lights, irrigation
systems, and detached structures such as garages, sheds, and gazebos.
Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate,
including, but not limited to the construction of buildings or other
structures; the construction of additions, alterations or substantial
improvements to buildings or structures; the placement of buildings
or structures; mining, dredging, filling, paving, grading, excavating
or drilling operations or storage of equipment; the storage, deposition,
or extraction of materials; and the installation, repair or removal
of public or private sewage disposal systems or water supply facilities.
The federal agency that administers the National Flood Insurance
Program (NFIP).
Finished living space can include, but is not limited to,
a space that is heated and/or cooled, contains finished floors (tile,
linoleum, hardwood, etc.), has sheetrock walls that may or may not
be painted or wallpapered, and other amenities such as furniture,
appliances, bathrooms, fireplaces and other items that are easily
damaged by floodwaters and expensive to clean, repair or replace.
The official map of a community on which the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) has delineated the limits of the regulatory
floodway and one-hundred-year floodplain.
That area outside of the regulated floodway and within the
limits of the base flood.
The official map of the community, on which the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) has delineated both the areas of special
flood hazards one-hundred-year floodplain) and the insurance and risk
premium zones applicable to the community. FIRM published after January
1990 may also show the limits of the regulatory floodway.
The official study of a community in which the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) has conducted a technical engineering evaluation
and determination of local flood hazards, flood profiles and water
surface elevations. The Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM), which accompany
the FIS, provide both flood insurance rate zones and base flood elevations,
and may provide the regulatory floodway limits.
A general and temporary condition of partial or complete
inundation of normally dry land areas from:
Any land area susceptible to being inundated by water from
any source. (See definition of Flooding)
The operation of an overall program of corrective and preventive
measures for reducing flood damage, including, but not limited to,
emergency preparedness.
Watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage
of water, and with structural components having the capability of
resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy.
Any combination of structural and nonstructural additions,
changes, or adjustments to structures which reduces or eliminates
flood damage to real estate or improved real property, water and sanitary
facilities, structures or their contents.
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
one foot. For the purposes of these regulations, the term "Regulatory
Floodway" is synonymous in meaning with the term "Floodway".
A use or facility that cannot perform its intended purpose
unless it is located or carried out in close proximity to water. The
term includes only docking facilities, port facilities that are necessary
for the loading and unloading of cargo or passengers, and ship building
and ship repair facilities. The term does not include seafood processing
facilities, long-term storage, manufacturing, sales or service facilities.
The highest natural elevation of the ground surface prior
to construction next to the proposed walls of a structure.
Any structure that is:
Listed individually in the National Register of Historic Places
(a listing is maintained by the Department of the Interior) or preliminarily
selected by the Secretary of the Interior as meeting the requirements
for individual listing on the National Register;
Certified or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the
Interior as contributing to the historic significance of a registered
historic district;
Individually listed on a state inventory of historic places
in states with historic preservation programs which have been approved
by the Secretary if the Interior; or
Individually listed on a local inventory of historic places
in communities with historic preservation programs that have been
certified either:
The lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area (including basement). An unfinished or flood resistant enclosure, usable solely for parking 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 area meets the design requirements specified in Section 3-41.
For the purposes of floodplain management, a manufactured
home is a structure, transportable in one or more sections, which
is built on a permanent chassis and is designed for use with or without
a permanent foundation when attached to the required utilities. The
term also includes park trailers, travel trailers, recreational vehicles
and other similar vehicles or transportable structures placed on a
site for 180 consecutive days or longer and intended to be improved
property.
For the purposes of floodplain management, a manufactured
home park or subdivision is a parcel or contiguous parcels of land
divided into two or more manufactured home lots for rent or sale.
Market value of the structure shall be determined by the
appraised property value as listed on the property's most recent
tax assessment. A more recent independent appraisal by a professional
appraiser may be used, however, such appraisal is the financial responsibility
of the applicant and/or property owner.
The North American Vertical Datum (NAVD) of 1988 or other
datum, to which base flood elevations shown on a community's
Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) are referenced.
Structures for which the "start of construction" commenced
on or after the effective date of this article. For the purposes of
these regulations, replacement structures, as permitted by this article,
are not considered "new construction".
A building in which is conducted the permitted use which
is the main or principal use of the lot on which said building is
located.
For the purposes of floodplain management, a recreational
vehicle is a vehicle which is:
Built on a single chassis;
Four hundred square feet or less when measured at the largest
horizontal projection;
Designed to be self-propelled or permanently towed by a light
duty truck; and
Designed primarily not for use as a permanent dwelling but as
a temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel, or
seasonal use.
Any man-made change to improved real estate, other than single-family
homes, including, but not limited to the removal of buildings or other
structures; construction of buildings or other structures; the construction
of additions, alterations or substantial improvements to buildings
or structures; the placement of buildings or structures; mining, dredging,
filling, paving, grading, excavation or drilling operations or storage
of equipment; the storage, disposition, or extraction of materials;
and the installation, repair or removal of public or private sewage
disposal systems or water supply facilities.
See "floodway."
The land in the floodplain within a community subject to
a 1% or greater chance of flooding in any given year. SFHAs are determined
utilizing the base flood elevations (BFE) provided on the flood profiles
in the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) for a community. BFEs provided
on Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) are only approximate (rounded
up or down) and should be verified with the BFEs published in the
FIS for a specific location. SHFAs include, but are not necessarily
limited to, the land shown as Zones A, A1-30, AE, AO, AH, and the
Coastal High Hazard Areas shown as Zones V, V1-30, and VE on a FIRM.
The SHFA is also called the "area of special flood hazard".
The first placement of permanent construction of a structure
on a site, such as the pouring of slabs or footings, or any work beyond
the stage of excavation. Permanent construction does not include land
preparation, such as clearing, grading, and filling, nor does it include
excavation for a basement, footings, piers or foundations or the erection
of temporary forms; nor does it include the installation on the property
of accessory buildings, such as garages or sheds not occupied as dwelling
units or not as part of the main structure. For a structure without
a basement or poured footings, the "start of construction" includes
the first permanent framing or assembly of the structure or any part
thereof on its piling or foundation. For a structure without a basement
or poured footings, the "start of construction" includes the first
permanent framing or assembly of the structure or any part thereof
on its piling or foundation. For a substantial improvement, the actual
start of construction means the first alteration of any wall, ceiling,
floor, or other structural part of a building, whether or not that
alteration affects the external dimensions of the building.
For floodplain management purposes, means a walled or roofed
building, including a gas or liquid storage tank, which is principally
above ground. For purposes of insurance coverage, "structure" means
a walled and roofed building, other than a gas or liquid storage tank,
which is principally above ground and affixed to a permanent site.
For the latter purpose, the term includes a building while in the
course of construction, alteration or repair, but does not include
building materials or supplies intended for use in such construction,
alteration or repair, unless such materials or supplies are within
an enclosed building on the premises.
Damage of any origin sustained by a structure, whereby the
cost of restoring the structure to its pre-damaged condition would
equal or exceed 50% of the market value of the structure before the
damage occurred.
Any combination of repairs, reconstruction, rehabilitation,
alterations, additions or other improvements to a structure, taking
place during a twenty-five-year period, in which the cumulative cost
equals or exceeds 50% of the market value of the structure as determined
at the beginning of such twenty-five-year period. This term includes
structures that have incurred "substantial damage", regardless of
the actual repair work performed. For the purpose of this definition,
"substantial improvement" is considered to occur when the first alteration
of any wall, ceiling, floor, or other structural part of the building
commences, whether or not that alteration affects the external dimensions
of the structure. The term does not, however, include either:
Any project for improvement of a structure to comply with existing
state or local health, sanitary or safety code specifications which
have been identified by the local code enforcement official and which
are the minimum necessary to assure safe living conditions; or
Any alteration of a "historic" structure, provided that the
alteration will not preclude the structure's continued designation
as a "historic structure".
A grant of relief by the community from the terms of the
floodplain management regulations.
Failure of a structure or other development to be fully compliant
with the community's floodplain management ordinance or any requirements
or conditions of a permit. A structure or other development without
required permits, lowest floor elevation documentation, flood-proofing
certificates or required floodway encroachment calculations is presumed
to be in violation until such time as that documentation is provided
to the Town Engineer.
The height, in relation to the National American Vertical
Datum (NAVD) of 1988 (or other datum, where specified), of floods
of various magnitudes and frequencies in the floodplains of coastal
or riverine areas.
[Code 1961, § 3.17.01; Ord. No.
78-4, 9-25-1978; Ord. No. 08-03, 9-2-2008; Ord. No. 09-07, 9-8-2009]
The purpose of this article is to promote public health, safety,
and general welfare within the Town, to minimize flood losses in floodway
and flood fringe areas in the Town, and to protect the aquifer within
said areas by:
(1)Â
Restricting, prohibiting, or controlling uses, including, but not
limited to, deposit, removal or storage of materials, construction
of structures or buildings, and any other works which:
(2)Â
Requiring that permitted uses vulnerable to flood, including public
facilities, shall be protected against flood damage at the time of
initial construction, thereby reducing damage due to flooding, and
the need for investment in flood control projects;
(3)Â
Insuring that potential buyers will have the opportunity of identifying
land within the flood hazard area;
(4)Â
Minimizing surface and groundwater pollution which will affect human,
animal, or plant life;
(5)Â
Helping to maintain a stable tax base through the preservation of
property values by reducing the potential of future flood blight areas;
(6)Â
Providing for public awareness of the potential for flooding, and
harm to the aquifer; and
(7)Â
Protecting the aquifer for use as a public water supply, by limiting
the amount of impervious surface within the floodplain area, and reducing
the effect of deicing salts, chemicals and other pollutants.
[Code 1961, § 3.17.08; Ord. No.
78-4, 9-25-1978; Ord. No. 08-03, 9-2-2008; Ord. No. 09-07, 9-8-2009]
(a)Â
Statutory authorization. The Legislature of the State of Connecticut
has in Connecticut General Statutes Section 7-148(c)(7) delegated
the responsibility to local governmental units to adopt regulations
designed to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare
of its citizenry.
(b)Â
Designation of the local administrator. The Town Engineer is hereby
appointed on behalf of the Town to administer and implement the provisions
of this program.
The duties and responsibilities of the Town Engineer are as
follows:
(1)Â
Review all permit applications for completeness, particularly in terms of the requirements of Section 3-39.
(2)Â
Review all permit applications to determine whether the proposed
development and building sites will be reasonably safe from flooding.
(3)Â
Review all development permits to assure that the permit requirements
of this article have been satisfied.
(4)Â
Review all permit applications to assure that all necessary federal
or state permits have been received. Require that copies of such permits
be provided and maintained on file with the permit application. Such
permits include, but are not limited to, stream channel encroachment
line (SCEL) permit, coastal area management (CAM) permit, water diversion
permit, dam safety permit, and Army Corps of Engineers 401 and 404
permits.
(5)Â
Notify the regional planning agency and affected municipality at
least 35 days prior to a public hearing if any change of regulation
or use of a flood zone will affect an area within 500 feet of another
municipality.
(6)Â
Notify the adjacent communities and the Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP), Inland Water Resources Division, prior to any alteration
or relocation of a watercourse, and submit evidence of such notification
to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
(7)Â
Assure that maintenance is provided within the altered or relocated
portion of said watercourse so that the flood carrying capacity is
not diminished.
(8)Â
Obtain, record and maintain the elevation (in relation to mean sea
level) of the lowest floor (including basement) of all substantial
improvements or repair to a structure that has sustained substantial
damage.
(9)Â
Obtain, record and maintain the elevation (in relation to mean sea
level) to which the substantial improvement or repair to a structure
that has sustained substantial damage has been flood-proofed.
(10)Â
When flood-proofing is utilized for a particular structure, the Town Engineer shall obtain certification from a registered professional engineer or architect, in accordance with Section 3-42.
(11)Â
Where interpretation is needed as to the exact location of boundaries
of the area of special flood hazard (e.g., where there appears to
be a conflict between a mapped boundary and actual field conditions),
the Town Engineer shall make the necessary interpretation. The person
contesting the location of the boundary shall be given a reasonable
opportunity to appeal the interpretation as provided for in this article.
(12)Â
Require the applicant to provide base flood elevation data for
all proposed development, including manufactured home parks and subdivisions.
(13)Â
When base flood elevation data or floodway data have not been provided in accordance with Sections 3-35 and 3-39, the Town Engineer 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 the provisions of Section 3-42.
(14)Â
All records pertaining to the provisions of this article shall
be obtained and maintained in the office of the Town Engineer.
(15)Â
Upon completion of permitted development and prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy (CO), necessary as-built surveys (prepared by a Connecticut licensed professional as per Connecticut State Statutes) and engineering and architectural certifications shall be provided to the Town Engineer demonstrating compliance with the approved plans and standards set forth in Section 3-42.
(c)Â
Certification. Where required under this article, a Connecticut registered
professional engineer or architect shall certify that the design and
methods of construction are in accordance with accepted standards
of practice for meeting the provisions of this article. Such certification
must be provided to the Town Engineer.
[Code 1961, § 3.17.15; Ord. No.
78-4, 9-25-1978; Ord. No. 79-2, § 3, 1-16-1979; Ord. No. 81-14, § 2, 9-8-1981; Ord. No. 08-03, 9-2-2008; Ord. No.
09-07, 9-8-2009]
(a)Â
Notice of the decision of the Town Engineer shall be sent by certified
mail return receipt requested to the last known address of the applicant
and published once in a newspaper of general circulation in Windsor
and may be appealed by anyone aggrieved on a form provided by the
Town Engineer to the inland wetlands and watercourses Commission within
seven calendar days of the publication of said decision, the date
of said decision being excluded in the calculation of said seven days.
Any such appeal shall not stay the decision of the Town Engineer,
which shall remain in effect until such time as it may be overruled,
modified, or otherwise changed by said Commission.
(b)Â
Any decision of the inland wetlands and watercourses Commission may
be appealed to the Superior Court by any aggrieved party in the manner
provided by statute for other appeals from the inland wetlands and
watercourses Commission, except that no appeal shall stay the decision
of the Commission absent a decision of the Commission to that effect
or a court order.
[Code 1961, § 3.17.02; Ord. No.
78-4, 9-25-1978; Ord. No. 08-03, 9-2-2008; Ord. No. 09-07, 9-8-2009]
This article shall apply to all special flood hazards areas
(SFHA) within the Town.
[Code 1961, § 3.17.04; Ord. No.
78-4, 9-25-1978; Ord. No. 08-03, 9-2-2008; Ord. No. 09-07, 9-8-2009]
(a)Â
The SFHA identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
in its Flood Insurance Study (FIS) for the Town of Windsor, Hartford
County, dated effective September 26, 2008, and accompanying Flood
Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) and/or Flood Boundary and Floodway Maps
(FBFM), dated effective September 26, 2008, and other supporting data,
and any subsequent revision thereto, are adopted by reference and
declared to be a part of this article. Since mapping is legally adopted
by reference into this article it must take precedence when more restrictive
until such time as a map amendment or map revision is obtained from
FEMA.
(b)Â
The SFHA includes any area shown on the FIRM, dated effective September
26, 2008, as zones A, A1-A30, AE, AO, and AH, including areas designated
as a floodway on a FIRM or FBFM. SFHAs are determined utilizing the
base flood elevations (BFE) provided on the flood profiles in the
Flood Insurance Study (FIS) for a community. BFEs provided on Flood
Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) are only approximate (rounded up or down)
and should be verified with the BFEs established in the FIS for a
specific location. Also included are areas of potential, demonstrable
or historical flooding, including any area contiguous with, but outside
of the SFHA identified by FEMA, and where the land surface elevation
is lower than the BFE as shown in the FIS, and the area is not protected
from flooding by a natural or man-made feature.
[Code 1961, § 3.17.05; Ord. No.
78-4, 9-25-1978; Ord. No. 08-03, 9-2-2008; Ord. No. 09-07, 9-8-2009]
No structure, land, or water shall hereafter be used, and no
structure shall be located, extended, converted or structurally altered
without full compliance with the terms of this article and other applicable
regulations.
[Code 1961, § 3.17.06; Ord. No.
78-4, 9-25-1978; Ord. No. 08-03, 9-2-2008; Ord. No. 09-07, 9-8-2009]
This article shall not repeal, abrogate or impair any existing
easements, covenants, or deed restrictions. However, where this article
imposes greater restrictions, the provisions of this article shall
prevail.
[Code 1961, § 3.17.07; Ord. No.
78-4, 9-25-1978; Ord. No. 08-03, 9-2-2008; Ord. No. 09-07, 9-8-2009]
The degree of flood protection required by this article is considered
reasonable for regulatory purposes, and is based on engineering and
scientific methods of study. Larger floods may occur on rare occasions,
or the flood height may be increased by man-made or natural causes,
such as ice jams and bridge openings restricted by debris. These regulations
do not imply that permitted uses within areas of special flood hazard
will be free from flooding or flood damages. This article shall not
create liability on the part of the Town, or any commissioner, officer,
or employee thereof, for any damages that may result from reliance
on this article or any administrative decision lawfully made hereunder.
[Code 1961, § 3.17.09; Ord. No.
78-4, 9-25-1978; Ord. No. 08-03, 9-2-2008; Ord. No. 09-07, 9-8-2009]
A floodplain development permit shall be required in conformance with the provisions of this article prior to the commencement of any development activities within any special flood hazard area established in Section 3-35. Permits issued under this article shall expire if actual construction of a permitted structure does not commence within 180 days of the permit approval date.
(1)Â
Permit application procedures. A floodplain development permit is
hereby established for all construction and other development to be
undertaken in special flood hazard areas in this community. Prior
to any development activities, application for a floodplain development
permit shall be made to the Town Engineer on forms provided and may
include, but not be limited to, plans in duplicate drawn to scale
showing, at a minimum, the property lines and location of the parcel;
the nature, location, dimensions, and elevations of the area in question;
limit and extent of the one-hundred-year floodplain and/or floodway
boundary and base flood elevation(s); existing and proposed structures,
fill, storage of materials, drainage facilities and the location of
the foregoing. Specifically, the following information is required
to be submitted to the Town Engineer:
a.Â
Application stage. The applicant shall provide at least the following
information, where applicable. Additional information may be required
on the permit application form.
1.Â
Base flood elevation (BFE) for the site in question as determined
in the FEMA Flood Insurance Study (FIS) or Flood Insurance Rate Map
(FIRM). The FIS flood profiles provide more accurate BFE data than
the FIRM. The extent of the one-hundred-year floodplain and floodway
must be depicted with a boundary line on any site plans and shown
in relation to existing and proposed structures or development;
2.Â
Elevation in relation to mean sea level of the proposed lowest floor,
including basement, of all substantial improvements or repairs to
structures that have sustained substantial damage;
3.Â
Elevation in relation to mean sea level to which any substantial
improvements or repairs to structures that have sustained substantial
damage will be dry flood-proofed;
4.Â
Description of the extent to which any watercourse will be altered
or relocated as a result of the proposed development. Computations
by a licensed professional engineer must be submitted that demonstrate
that the altered or relocated segment will provide equal or greater
conveyance than the original stream segment. The applicant must submit
any maps, computations or other materials required by the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in order to officially amend or
revise the flood insurance rate map. The applicant must also provide
assurances that the conveyance capacity of the altered or relocated
stream segment will be maintained;
5.Â
A statement and supporting documentation (all costs of project, market
value of structures, etc.) verifying that the proposed alterations
to an existing structure meet or do not meet the criteria of the substantial
improvement and/or substantial damage definition. If a development
meets the definition of substantial improvement and/or substantial
damage, the structure must be brought into compliance with all floodplain
regulations as if it was new construction;
6.Â
Where applicable the following certifications by a Connecticut registered engineer or architect are required, and must be provided to the Town Engineer. The design and methods of construction must be certified to be in accordance with accepted standards of practice and with the provisions of Section 3-42:
7.Â
Incremental improvements. The area of the site covered by a proposed improvement, addition, or accessory structure, shall be no more than 25% of the area of the site covered by the existing building or buildings of principal use, as long as the pertinent requirements of this article are met. The applicant for a permit to extend improvements, additions or accessory structures into the flood fringe areas may apply for approval for such extension in increments. In addition to the other requirements of Section 3-39, the applicant shall provide a table as part of its special exception application containing the following baseline information:
A.Â
The "baseline amount" which shall be the number of square feet in
the area of the site covered by the footprints of the existing building
or buildings of principal use at the time of the first special exception
application under this subsection. Said "baseline amount" shall not
include the square footage of any existing improvement, addition or
accessory structure on the site that has previously been approved
under this article as a special exception allowing such existing improvement,
addition or accessory structure to extend into a flood fringe area.
B.Â
The "maximum encroachment amount" which shall be and shall not exceed
the number which is 25% of the baseline amount at the date of the
first development permit application.
C.Â
The "proposed encroachment amount" which shall be the square footage
of the proposed improvements, additions or accessory structures that
are proposed to extend into the flood fringe area.
D.Â
The "remaining maximum encroachment amount" which shall be the difference
in square footage, if any, obtained by subtracting C from B.
|
Thereafter, and so long as any amount of said remaining maximum
encroachment amount exists, and the proposed extension meets all the
other requirements of this article, the applicant may apply to use
all or a portion of such remaining maximum encroachment amount, as
it may be reduced from time to time, in connection with future improvements,
additions or accessory structures.
|
b.Â
Construction stage. Upon completion of the applicable portion of
construction, the applicant shall provide verification to the Town
Engineer of the following as is applicable:
1.Â
Lowest floor elevation shall be verified for:
A.Â
A structure in Zones A, AE, A1-A30, AO or AH is the top of the lowest
floor (including basement);
B.Â
A non-residential structure which has been dry flood-proofed is the
elevation to which the flood-proofing is effective (Note: For insurance
purposes, a dry flood-proofed, non-residential structure is rated
based on the elevation of its lowest floor unless it is flood-proofed
to one foot above the BFE).
2.Â
Deficiencies detected by the review of the above listed shall be
corrected by the permit holder immediately and prior to further progressive
work being permitted to proceed. Failure to submit the survey or failure
to make said corrections required hereby shall be the cause to issue
a stop-work order for the project.
[Ord. No. 08-03, 9-2-2008; Ord. No. 09-07, 9-8-2009]
The following uses shall be prohibited within the special flood
hazard area:
[Code 1961, § 3.17.10; Ord. No.
78-4, 9-25-1978; Ord. No. 08-03, 9-2-2008; Ord. No. 09-07, 9-8-2009]
The following open space uses shall be permitted within the
special flood hazard area, excluding the regulatory floodway, to the
extent that they are not prohibited by any other ordinance or regulation,
and provided they do not require structures, fill or storage of materials
or equipment;
(1)Â
Agricultural uses such as: general farming, pasture, grazing, outdoor
plant nurseries, horticulture, truck farming, forestry, sod farming,
and wild crop harvesting.
(2)Â
Industrial or commercial parking areas for three vehicles or less.
(3)Â
Private and public recreational uses such as: golf courses, open
tennis courts, driving ranges, archery ranges, picnic grounds, boat
launching ramps, swimming areas, parks, wildlife and nature preserves,
game farms, fish hatcheries, shooting preserves, target ranges, trap
and skeet ranges, hunting and fishing areas, hiking and horseback
riding trails.
(4)Â
Residential uses such as: lawns, gardens, parking areas for three
vehicles or less, and play areas.
[Code 1961, § 3.17.11; Ord. No.
78-4, 9-25-1978; Ord. No. 79-2, § 2, 1-16-1979; Ord. No. 79-4, § 1, 4-2-1979; Ord. No. 81-14, § 1, 9-8-1981; Ord. No. 00-4, 12-4-2000; Ord. No. 08-03, 9-2-2008; Ord. No. 09-07, 9-8-2009]
There shall be no encroachment, including fill, substantial
improvements, accessory structures, or other development within the
adopted regulatory floodway as designated on the floodway map effective
September 26, 2008, except for that which may be required for public
works projects of the state, federal, or municipal government. In
no case, however, will any such activity be allowed if an increase
in flood levels within the community results.
Substantial improvements or additions to existing structures
or accessory structures, or fill shall be permitted only as a special
exception in the flood fringe areas, and when authorized by the Town
Engineer, and shall conform to the provisions of these regulations,
provided the following provisions are flood hazard reduction are met.
Prior to any development activities, application for a floodplain development permit shall be made to the Town Engineer on forms provided and shall meet the requirements of Section 3-39.
(1)Â
General standards. In all special flood hazard areas (SFHAs) the
following provisions are required:
a.Â
Substantial improvements, additions, and accessory structures that
have sustained substantial damage shall be constructed using methods
and practices that minimize flood damage.
b.Â
Substantial improvements, additions, and accessory structures that
have sustained substantial damage shall be constructed with materials
and utility equipment resistant to flood damage.
c.Â
Substantial improvements and repairs to structures that have sustained
substantial damage shall be anchored to prevent flotation, collapse
or lateral movement of the structure resulting from hydrodynamic and
hydrostatic loads, including the effects of buoyancy.
d.Â
Substantial improvements and repair to structures that have sustained
substantial damage cannot be constructed or located entirely or partially
over water.
e.Â
Electrical, heating, ventilation plumbing, air conditioning equipment,
HVAC ductwork, and other service facilities, or any machinery or utility
equipment or connections servicing a structure shall be elevated to
or above the base flood elevation (BFE) to prevent water from entering
or accumulating within the components during conditions of flooding.
This includes, but is not limited to, furnaces, oil or propane tanks,
air conditioners, heat pumps, hot water heaters, ventilation ductwork,
washer and dryer hookups, electrical junction boxes, and circuit breaker
boxes.
f.Â
New and replacement water supply systems shall be designed to minimize
or eliminate infiltration of floodwaters into the system.
g.Â
New and replacement sanitary sewage systems shall be designed to
minimize or eliminate infiltration of floodwaters into the system
and discharges from the system into floodwaters.
h.Â
On-site waste disposal systems shall be located and constructed to
avoid impairment to them or contamination from them during flooding.
i.Â
Above-ground storage tanks (oil, propane, etc.) that are located
outside or inside of the structure must either be elevated above the
base flood elevation (BFE) on a concrete pad, or be securely anchored
with tie-down straps to prevent flotation or lateral movement, have
the top of the fill pipe extended above the BFE, and have a screw
fill cap that does not allow for the infiltration of floodwater.
j.Â
In any portion of a watercourse that is altered or relocated, the
flood carrying capacity must be maintained. Notify adjacent communities
and the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP),
Inland Water Resources Division prior to any alteration or relocation
of a watercourse.
k.Â
If any portion of a structure lies within the special flood hazard
area (SFHA), the entire structure is considered to be in the SFHA.
The entire structure must meet the construction requirements of the
flood zone. The structure includes any attached additions, garages,
decks, sunrooms, or any other structure attached to the main structure.
Decks or porches that extend into a more restrictive flood zone will
require the entire structure to meet the standards of the more restrictive
zone.
l.Â
If a structure lies within two or more flood zones, the construction
standards of the most restrictive zone apply to the entire structure
(i.e. V zone is more restrictive that A zone; structure must be built
to the highest BFE). The structure includes any attached additions,
garages, decks, sunrooms, or any other structure attached to the main
structure. Decks or porches that extend into a more restrictive zone
will require the entire structure to meet the requirements of the
more restrictive zone.
m.Â
Compensatory storage. The water holding capacity of the floodplain,
except those areas which are tidally influenced, shall not be reduced.
Any reduction caused by filling or substantial improvements involving
an increase in footprint to the structure, shall be compensated for
by deepening and/or widening of the floodplain. Storage shall be provided
on-site, unless easements have been gained from adjacent property
owners; it shall be provided within the same hydraulic reach and a
volume not previously used for flood storage; it shall be hydraulically
comparable and incrementally equal to the theoretical volume of floodwater
at each elevation, up to and including the one-hundred-year flood
elevation, which would be displaced by the proposed project. Such
compensatory volume shall have an unrestricted hydraulic connection
to the same waterway or water body. Compensatory storage can be provided
off-site if approved by the Town Engineer.
n.Â
Equal conveyance. Within the floodplain, except those areas which
are tidally influenced, as designated on the flood insurance rate
map (FIRM) for the community, encroachments resulting from filling
or substantial improvements involving an increase in footprint of
the structure, are prohibited unless the applicant provides certification
by a registered professional engineer demonstrating, with supporting
hydrologic and hydraulic analyses performed in accordance with standard
engineering practice, that such encroachments shall not result in
any (0.00 feet) increase in flood levels (base flood elevation). Work
within the floodplain and the land adjacent to the floodplain, including
work to provide compensatory storage shall not be constructed in such
a way so as to cause an increase in flood storage or flood velocity.
o.Â
In the event that elimination of a structure takes place, by reason
of fire or other catastrophe, replacement with a structure of like
kind and intended use will be allowed to the extent that the building
coverage will not exceed 125% of the displaced building coverage,
to the extent that they are not prohibited by any other ordinance
or regulation, as long as all requirements of Sections 3-39 and
3-42 are met.
(2)Â
Standards for watercourses without established base flood elevations
(un-numbered A Zone), adopted floodways and/or flood mapping.
a.Â
The Town Engineer shall require base flood elevation (BFE) data be
provided with any application for substantial improvement, repair
to structures which have sustained damage or other development in
Zone A without a FEMA-published BFE (un-numbered A Zone). The Town
Engineer shall obtain, review and reasonably utilize any BFE and floodway
data available from a federal, state or other source, including data
developed for subdivision proposals, as criteria for requiring that
substantial improvements, repair to structures which have sustained
substantial damage or other development in un-numbered A Zones on
the community's flood insurance rate map (FIRM) meet the standards
in Sections 3-39 and 3-42(1). If no BFE can be determined, the
lowest floor, including basement, must be elevated to two feet above
the highest adjacent grade next to the structure.
b.Â
When BFEs have been determined within Zones A1-A30 and AE on the
community's FIRM but a regulatory floodway has not been designated,
the Town Engineer must require that no substantial improvements, repair
to structures which have sustained substantial damage or other development,
including fill, shall be permitted which will increase the water surface
elevation of the base flood more than one foot at any point within
the community when all existing and anticipated development is considered
cumulatively with the proposed development.
c.Â
The Town Engineer may request floodway data of an applicant for watercourses
without FEMA-published floodways. When such data of an applicant or
whenever such data is available from any other source (in response
to the municipality's request or not), the community shall adopt
a regulatory floodway based on the principle that the floodway must
be able to convey the waters of the base flood without increasing
the water surface elevation more than one foot at any point within
the community.
d.Â
The Town Engineer shall obtain, review and reasonably utilize any
BFE and floodway data available from a federal, state or other source,
as criteria for requiring that substantial improvements, repair to
structures which have sustained substantial damage or other development
in any area of potential, demonstrable or historical flooding within
the community meet the standards in Sections 3-39 and 3-42(1).
(3)Â
Specific standards.
a.Â
Construction standards in special flood hazard areas (SFHA), Zones
A, A1-A30, AE.
1.Â
Residential construction. All substantial improvements and repair
to structures that have sustained substantial damage which are residential
structures shall have the bottom of the lowest floor, including basement,
elevated to or above the base flood elevation (BFE). Electrical, plumbing,
machinery or other utility equipment that service the structure must
be elevated to or above the BFE.
2.Â
Non-residential construction. All substantial improvements and repair
to structures that have sustained substantial damage which are commercial,
industrial or non-residential structures shall have:
A.Â
The bottom of the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or
above the base flood elevation (BFE); or
B.Â
In lieu of being elevated, non-residential structures may be dry
flood-proofed to one foot above the BFE provided that together with
all attendant utilities and sanitary facilities the areas of the structure
below the required elevation are watertight with walls substantially
impermeable to the passage of water, and provided that such structures
are composed of structural components having the capability of resisting
hydrostatic ad hydrodynamic loads and the effects of buoyancy. A Connecticut
registered professional engineer or architect shall review and/or
develop structural design specifications and plans for the construction,
and shall certify that the design and methods of construction are
in accordance with acceptable standards of practice for meeting the
provisions of this section. Such certification shall be provided to
the Town Engineer on the FEMA Floodproofing Certificate, Form 81-65.
C.Â
Electrical, plumbing, machinery or other utility equipment that service
the structure must be elevated to or above the BFE.
3.Â
Fully enclosed areas below the base flood elevation of elevated buildings.
All substantial improvements or repair of substantial damage to residential
or non-residential structures that include fully enclosed areas formed
by a foundation and other exterior walls below the base flood elevation
(BFE) of an elevated building, shall be designed to preclude finished
living space and be designed to allow for the entry and exit of floodwaters
to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls
(wet flood-proofing). Designs for complying with this requirement
must either be certified by a Connecticut registered professional
engineer or architect, or meet the following minimum criteria listed
in Sections A. through G. below:
A.Â
Provide a minimum of two openings (hydraulic flood vents) having
a total net area of not less than one square inch for every one square
foot of enclosed area subject to flooding. These hydraulic openings
must be located on at least two different walls. Only the area (square
footage) that lies below the BFE can be used in the calculation of
net area of vents required. If the structure has more than one enclosed
area, openings must be installed in the exterior walls of each enclosed
area so that floodwaters can enter directly from the outside;
B.Â
The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above
grade. At least one side of the structure's fully enclosed area
must be at or above grade. Fill placed around the foundation walls
must be graded so that the elevation inside the enclosed area is equal
to or higher than the adjacent outside elevation on at least one side
of the building. The finished floor of the enclosed area shall be
no lower than the bottom of the foundation openings. The foundation
slab of a residential structure, including the slab of a crawlspace,
must be set equal to the outside finished grade on at least one side
of the building;
C.Â
The openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, valves or other
coverings or devices provided they permit the automatic entry and
exit of floodwaters in both directions without any external influence
or control such as human intervention, including the use of electrical
and other non-automatic mechanical means. Other coverings may be designed
and certified by an engineer registered in the State of Connecticut
or approved by the Town Engineer;
D.Â
The area cannot be used as finished living space. Use of the enclosed
area shall be the minimum necessary and shall only be used for the
parking of vehicles, building access or limited storage. Access to
the enclosed area shall be the minimum necessary to allow for the
parking of vehicles (garage door) or limited storage of maintenance
equipment used in connection with the premises (standard exterior
door) or entry to living area (stairway or elevator). The enclosed
area shall not be used for human habitation or partitioned into separate
rooms;
E.Â
All interior walls, floor, and ceiling materials located below the
BFE shall be unfinished and resistant to flood damage;
F.Â
Electrical, plumbing, HVAC ductwork, machinery or other utility equipment
and connections that service the structure (including, but not limited
to, furnaces, oil or propane tanks, air conditioners, heat pumps,
hot water heaters, ventilation, washers, dryer, electrical junction
boxes, circuit breaker boxes and food freezers) are prohibited in
the fully enclosed area, even if elevated above the BFE in the space,
will subject the structure to increased flood insurance rates; and
G.Â
A residential building with a structurally attached garage having the floor slab below the BFE is considered an enclosed area below the BFE and must meet the standards of Section 3-42(3)A through G. A garage attached to a residential structure, constructed with the garage floor slab below the BFE, must be designed to allow for the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters in both directions. Flood openings or vents are required in the exterior walls of the garage or in the garage doors. Human intervention necessary to open garage doors when flooding occurs is not an acceptable means of meeting the openings requirements. In addition to the automatic entry of floodwaters, the areas of the garage below the BFE must be constructed with flood resistant materials. Garages attached to non-residential structures must also meet the aforementioned requirements or be dry flood-proofed as per the requirements of Section 3-42(3)a.2.
b.Â
Recreational vehicles (RVs). Recreational vehicles placed on sites
within a SFHA shall be:
1.Â
On the site for fewer than 180 consecutive days, AND
2.Â
Be fully licensed and ready for highway use. A recreational vehicle
is ready for highway use if it is on its wheels or jacking system,
is attached to the site only by quick disconnect type utilities and
security devices, and has no permanently attached additions.
c.Â
Floodways. Located within special flood hazard areas (SFHA) are areas designated as floodway on the community's Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) or Flood Boundary and Floodway Maps (FBFM). Since the floodway is an extremely hazardous area due to the velocity of floodwaters which carry debris, potential projectiles and has erosion potential, no encroachments, including fill, substantial improvements, repairs to substantially damaged structures and other developments shall be permitted unless certification, with supporting technical data, by a Connecticut licensed professional engineer is provided demonstrating that encroachments shall not result in any (0.00 feet) increase in flood levels during occurrence of the base flood discharge. Fences in the floodway must be aligned with the flow and be of an open design. A permit may be given which allows encroachments resulting in an increase in base flood elevations provided the community first obtains a conditional floodway revision by meeting the requirements of 44 CFR Chapter 1, Subsection 65.12.
d.Â
Standards for development in areas of shallow flooding (Zones AO
and AH). Located within the special flood hazard areas (SFHA) are
areas designated as shallow flooding areas (AO and AH Zones). These
areas have flood hazards associated with base flood depths of one
to three feet where a clearly defined channel does not exist and where
the path of flooding is unpredictable and indeterminate. In AO and
AH zones, the following provisions apply:
1.Â
For residential structures, all substantial improvements and repair
to structures that have sustained substantial damage shall have the
lowest floor, including basement, elevated to the depth number specified
on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), in feet, above the highest
adjacent grade. If no depth number is specified, the lowest floor,
including basement, shall be elevated, at least two feet above the
highest adjacent grade.
2.Â
For non-residential structures, all substantial improvements and
repair to structures that have sustained substantial damage shall:
A.Â
Have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to the depth
number specified on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), in feet above
the highest adjacent grade. If no depth number is specified, the lowest
floor, including basement, shall be elevated at least two feet above
the highest adjacent grade; or
B.Â
Together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, be completely
flood-proofed to or above the depth number, in feet, specified on
the FIRM above the highest adjacent grade, or if no depth number is
specified at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade, so that
any space below that level is watertight with walls substantially
impermeable to the passage of water and with structural components
having the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads
and effects of buoyancy. Designs for complying with this requirement
must be certified by either a Connecticut licensed professional engineer
or architect.
C.Â
On-site drainage for all proposed structures in AO and AH Zones located
on slopes shall provide adequate drainage paths to guide floodwaters
around and away from such structures.
[Code 1961, § 3.17.12; Ord. No.
78-4, 9-25-1978; Ord. No. 79-8, § 1, 9-4-1979; Ord. No. 79-11, § 1, 12-17-1979; Ord. No. 08-03, 9-2-2008; Ord. No.
09-07, 9-8-2009]
(a)Â
No variance will be granted for a principal structure and/or accessory
structure after September 25, 1980, with the exception of the following
specific situations:
(1)Â
New construction in support of public improvement projects of the
state, federal, or municipal government.
(2)Â
Redevelopment projects in the flood fringe areas in support of public
goals and objectives of state, federal, or municipal plans, including,
but not limited to flood hazard mitigation; environmental remediation;
elimination of blight conditions; brownfield redevelopment; transit-oriented
development; and neighborhood or village revitalization.
(3)Â
The reconstruction, rehabilitation, or restoration of structures
listed in the National Registry of Historical Places, the State Inventory
of Historic Places, or any locally-adopted historic district provided
the reconstruction, rehabilitation or restoration will not result
in the structure losing its historical designation.
Any applicant to whom a variance is granted shall be given written
notice that the structure will be permitted to be built with the lowest
floor elevation below the base flood elevation (BFE) and the elevation,
and that the cost of flood insurance will be commensurate with the
increased risk resulting from the lowest floor elevation.
(b)Â
Variances to this article allowing construction within the special
flood hazard areas shall not be issued if the granting of such variance
would result in increased flood heights and velocities, increased
or additional threats to public safety, extraordinary public expense,
create nuisances, create fraud on or victimization of the public,
or conflict with existing local laws or ordinances.
(c)Â
If a variance is issued to construct a principal structure and/or
accessory structure within the flood fringe area, construction standards
described in Sections 3-39 and 3-42 must be met.
If a variance is issued to construct a principal structure and/or
accessory structure within the flood fringe area, increased premium
rates for flood insurance will result as such construction within
the flood fringe area increases risk to life and property.
(d)Â
Applications for a variance shall be made to the Town Engineer, on
forms provided by the Town Engineer, and all data supplied shall be
certified to be substantially correct and a true representation of
existing conditions by a professional engineer registered in the State
of Connecticut.
[Ord. No. 08-03, 9-2-2008; Ord. No. 09-07, 9-8-2009]
(a)Â
Each floodplain development permit shall authorize, as a condition
of approval, the Town Engineer or designated agents to make regular
inspections of the subject property. The Town Engineer or designated
agents are also authorized to inspect any property in a special flood
hazard area (SFHA) where it appears that violations of these regulations
may be taking place.
(b)Â
If the Town Engineer finds that any person is undertaking any construction,
substantial improvement, filling, or any other activity or maintaining
a condition which in violation of these regulations, the Town Engineer
shall:
(1)Â
Issue a written order by certified mail, return receipt requested
or by state marshal or hand delivery to the subject property owner,
ordering that the activity cease and ordering the property owner to
either obtain a floodplain development permit prior to continuing
with the activity or, if appropriate, ordering that all violations
and/or obstructions be removed from the special flood hazard area
(SFHA) immediately. All property owners, their agents, contractors
and lessees shall be jointly and severally responsible for any violation
caused by their actions and shall be subject to service as aforesaid.
(2)Â
Notify the building official and request that any building permit(s)
in force be revoked or suspended and that a stop work order be issued.
(3)Â
The Town Engineer may suspend or revoke a floodplain development
permit if it is found that the applicant has not complied with the
terms, conditions or limitations set forth in the permit or has exceeded
the scope of work as set forth in the application including application
plans. Prior to revoking any permit, the Town Engineer shall issue
notice to the permittee, personally or by certified mail, return receipt
requested, setting forth the facts or conduct which warrants the intended
action.
(4)Â
Failure to comply with any written order issued under this section shall be considered a violation of these regulations and is subject to the penalties described in Section 3-45.
(5)Â
In the event violations or obstructions are not promptly removed
from the special flood hazard area (SFHA), the Town Engineer may cause
such removal and remediation work to be performed utilizing bond money
held in escrow pursuant to this article, or may direct the Director
of Public Works to cause such work to be done and to place a lien
against the property.
(6)Â
Any person subjected to enforcement action pursuant to this article, may appeal any requirement, decision, or determination of the Town Engineer to the inlands wetlands and watercourses Commission, in accordance with Section 3-33. Such person shall provide such information as necessary including appropriate certifications from a registered professional engineer or architect in order to substantiate the claim that the requirement, decision, or determination of the Town Engineer was in error or unwarranted.
[Ord. No. 08-03, 9-2-2008; Ord. No. 09-07, 9-8-2009]
Violations of the provisions of this article or failure to comply
with any requirements or conditions of any permit shall be subject
to a fine of $250. Each day that such violation continues shall constitute
a separate offense under this article. Nothing herein contained shall
prevent the Town of Windsor from taking such other lawful action as
is necessary to prevent or remedy any violation and/or to effect the
collection of any fines. If any such action is necessary, all costs
of said action, including a reasonable attorney's fee incurred
by the Town, shall be taxed to the violator. In addition to any other
remedy the Town may have to effect collection, unpaid fines, court
costs, attorney's fees and costs of remediation shall constitute
a lien on the land which is the subject of the violation.
