[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Harrisburg
by Ord. No. 23-1990. Amendments noted where applicable.]
CROSS-REFERENCES
Construction in floodplain district: see Ch. 8-101 (IBC Appendix K).
Floodplain zoning: see Ch. 7-329.
A.
Any proposed subdivision or land development which is located in
the floodplain zoning districts of the City as created by Chapter
7-329 of the Zoning Code shall comply with this chapter of the Harrisburg
Subdivision and Land Development Code.
B.
The purpose of these special provisions is to:
(1)
Regulate the subdivision and land development of flood hazard
areas in order to promote the general health, welfare and safety of
the community.
(2)
Require that each subdivision and land development lot in a
flood hazard area be provided with a safe building site with adequate
access and that public facilities and/or improvements which serve
such structures and uses be designed and installed at the time of
initial construction to minimize flood damage.
(3)
Protect individuals from buying lands which are unsuitable for
use because of flood hazards by regulating the subdivision of unprotected
land.
A.
Plan requirements and processing procedures as stipulated in Chapter 7-503 of this Subdivision and Land Development Code shall remain in full effect; however, the following additional requirements shall be applicable to any preliminary plan for land to be subdivided or developed which is located in the floodplain zoning districts of the City and shall be prepared by a registered engineer or surveyor:
(1)
A map showing the location of the proposed subdivision or land
development with respect to the floodplain zoning districts of the
City, including information on, but not limited to, the regulatory
flood elevation, the boundaries of the floodplain zoning districts
of the City, proposed lots and sites, fills, flood or erosion protection
structures or improvements, and areas subject to special deed restrictions.
(2)
The preliminary plan shall include detailed information giving
the location and elevation of proposed roads, public utilities and
building sites and shall show topographical contours at intervals
of two feet.
B.
The final plan shall contain all the floodplain information as is
required by the preliminary plan.
C.
The Planning Commission shall notify adjacent communities and the
State Coordinating Office prior to any alteration or relocation of
a watercourse and submit copies of such notification to the Federal
Insurance Administration prior to approval of the final plan.
Design standards as stated in Chapter 7-507 of the Subdivision and Land Development Code shall remain in full effect; however, the following additional provisions will be applicable to any land to be subdivided which is located in the floodplain zoning districts of the City:
A.
Where not regulated by this chapter or any other ordinance or codes,
land to be subdivided in the floodplain zoning districts may be platted
for development with the provision that the developer construct buildings
and structures to minimize flood damage in accordance with this chapter
and any other laws and ordinances regulating such development.
B.
It must be assured that the flood-carrying capacity within an altered
or relocated portion of any watercourse is maintained.
C.
Building sites for all structures may be permitted where not prohibited
by this chapter or any other chapter or code, if the site or structure
is elevated so that the lowest floor construction, including basement,
will be at a height two feet or more above the regulatory flood protection
elevation. The measurement shall be to the bottom of the lowest beam.
If fill is used to raise the elevation of a site or portion thereof,
the fill area shall extend a distance of not less than 15 feet beyond
the limits of the proposed structures. Said fill shall be properly
designed and compacted, in six-inch lifts, and shall have not less
than 95% of the maximum dry density obtainable using the Standard
Proctor Test method.
[Ord. No. 20-1995]
D.
Building sites for nonresidential structures or buildings shall be protected as provided for in Subsection C hereof. However, the Planning Commission may allow the subdivision of areas or development of sites for nonresidential uses at an elevation less than the regulatory flood protection elevation if the developer otherwise protects the area to that height or assures that the buildings or structures will be floodproof at least up to that height, in an approved manner as prescribed by Chapter 7-329 of the Zoning Code.
E.
When a developer does not intend to develop the site itself and the
Planning Commission determines that additional controls are required
to ensure safe development, the Commission may require the developer
to impose appropriate deed restrictions on the land. Such deed restrictions
shall be inserted in every deed and noted on every recorded plan.
F.
Where any excavation and grading are proposed or where any existing
trees, shrubs or vegetative cover will be removed, the developer shall
consult the Dauphin County Conservation District concerning the preparation
of plans for erosion and sedimentation control and to secure information
in order to:
(1)
Obtain a report indicating the extent and content of erosion
and sedimentation control plans needed and determine whether or not
a permit for earthmoving activity may be required from the Department
of Environmental Protection under the rules and regulations of the
Erosion and Sedimentation Control Act of 1973;[1] and
[1]
Editor's Note: See 25 Pa. Code Ch. 102, Erosion and Sediment
Control.
(2)
Obtain a report on the soil characteristics of the site so that
the Planning Commission may determine the type and degree of development
the site may accommodate because of the limitations of soils as related
to basement and foundation construction, street and open space area
construction and grading conditions.
G.
Storm drainage facilities shall be designed to convey the flow of
surface waters without damage to persons or property. The system shall
ensure drainage at all points along streets and provide positive drainage
away from buildings and on-site waste disposal sites. The plans shall
be subject to the approval of the City Engineer.
H.
The finished elevation of proposed streets shall be no more than
two feet below the regulatory flood protection elevation.
I.
All sanitary sewer systems located in a subdivision within the floodplain
zoning districts, whether public or private, shall be floodproof up
to the point of the regulatory flood protection elevation. The plans
shall be subject to the approval of the City Engineer.
J.
All water systems located in a subdivision within the floodplain
zoning districts, whether public or private, shall be floodproof up
to the point of the regulatory flood protection elevation.
K.
No subdivision or land development shall be approved in the floodway
district of the City if the proposed development and/or improvement
will result in any increase in flood levels during the occurrence
of a one-hundred-year flood.
L.
Public utilities and facilities, such as gas and electrical systems,
shall be located and constructed to minimize or eliminate flood damage.
