[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township
of Mine Hill 3-18-1993 by Ord. No. 499-93. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
The Legislature of the State of New Jersey has, in N.J.S.A.
40:48-1 et seq., delegated the responsibility to local government
units to adopt regulations designed to promote public health, safety
and general welfare of its citizenry.
A.
The flood hazard areas of the Township of Mine Hill are subject to
periodic inundation which results in loss of life and property, health
and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and governmental services,
extraordinary public expenditures for flood protection and relief,
and impairment of the tax base, all of which adversely affect the
public health, safety and general welfare.
B.
These flood losses are caused by the cumulative effect of obstructions
in areas of special flood hazard which increase flood heights and
velocities and damage inadequately anchored uses in other areas. Uses
that are inadequately floodproofed, elevated or otherwise protected
from flood damage also contribute to the flood loss.
It is the purpose of this chapter to promote the public health,
safety and general welfare and to minimize public and private losses
due to flood conditions in specific areas by provisions designed to:
Unless specifically defined below, words or phrases used in
this chapter shall be interpreted so as to give them the meanings
they have in common usage and to give this chapter its most reasonable
application:
A request for a review of the Township Construction Official's,
or any alternate so designated by the Township Council ("the local
administrator's"), interpretation of any provision of this chapter
or a request for a variance, relating to land within the AO, AH or
VO Zone on the FIRM as described below.
A designated AO, AH or VO Zone on a community's Flood Insurance
Rate Map (FIRM) with a one-percent or greater annual chance of flooding
to an average depth of one to three feet where a clearly defined channel
does not exist, the path of flooding is unpredictable and velocity
flow may be evident. This form of flooding is generally characterized
by ponding or sheet flow.
The land in the floodplain within a community subject to
a one-percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year.
The flood having a one-percent chance of being equalled or
exceeded in any given year.
Any area of the building having its floor subgrade (below
ground level) on all sides.
A wall that is part of the structural support of the building
and is intended through its design and construction to collapse under
specific lateral loading forces without causing damage to the elevated
portion of the building or supporting foundation system.
Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate,
including but not limited to buildings or other structures, mining,
dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations,
or storage of equipment or materials located within the area of special
flood hazard.
A nonbasement building which is:
Built in the case of a building in an area of special flood
hazard to have the top of the elevated floor or in the case of a building
in a Coastal High Hazard Area to have the bottom of the lowest horizontal
structural member of the elevated floor elevated above the ground
level by means of piling, columns (posts and piers) or shear walls
parallel to the flow of the water; and
Adequately anchored so as not to impair the structural integrity
of the building during a flood up to the magnitude of the base flood.
In an area of special flood hazard, "elevated building" also includes
a building elevated by means of fill or solid foundation perimeter
walls with openings sufficient to facilitate the unimpeded movement
of floodwaters.
The official map on which the Federal Insurance Administration
has delineated both the areas of special flood hazards and the risk
premium zones applicable to the community.
The official report provided in which the Federal Insurance
Administration has provided flood profiles, as well as the Flood Boundary/Floodway
Map and the water surface elevation of the base flood.
A general and temporary condition of partial or complete
inundation of normally dry land areas from:
Zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, building codes,
health regulations, special purpose ordinances (such as a floodplain
ordinance, grading ordinance and erosion control ordinance) and other
relevant applications of police power. The term describes such state
or local regulations, in any combination thereof, which provide standards
for the purpose of flood damage prevention and reduction.
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
0.2 foot.
Any structure that is:
Listed individually in the National Register of Historic Places
(a listing maintained by the Department of Interior) or preliminarily
determined 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 historical significance of a registered
historic district preliminarily determined by the Secretary to qualify
as 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 of 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 the
parking of vehicles, building access or storage in an area other than
a basement, is not considered a building's lowest floor, provided
that such enclosure is not built so to render the structure in violation
of other applicable nonelevation design requirements.
A structure, transportable in one or more sections, which
is built on a permanent chassis and is designed for use with or without
permanent foundation when attached to the required utilities. The
term "manufactured home" does not include a recreational vehicle.
A parcel (or contiguous parcels) of land divided into two
or more manufactured home lots for rent or sale.
Structures for which the start of construction commenced
on or after May 3, 1993, or the effective date of this chapter, whichever
shall be earlier.
A manufactured home park or subdivision for which the construction
of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes
are to be affixed (including, at a minimum, the installation of utilities,
the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the
pouring of concrete pads) is completed on or after the effective date
of the floodplain management regulations adopted by the municipality.
A vehicle which is:
Built on a single chassis;
Contains 400 square feet or less when measured at the longest
horizontal projections;
Designed to be self-propelled or permanently towable by a light-duty
truck; and
Designed primarily not for use as a permanent dwelling but as
temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel, or seasonal
use.
For other than new construction or substantial improvements
under the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (P.L. No. 97-348), includes
substantial improvements and means the date the building permit was
issued, provided the actual start of construction, repair, reconstruction,
rehabilitation, addition, placement, or other improvement was within
180 days of the permit date. Indicia of the actual start shall include
but not be limited to either the first placement of permanent construction
of a structure on a site such as the pouring of a slab or footings,
the installation of piles, the construction of columns, or any work
beyond the stage of excavation, or the placement of a manufactured
home on a foundation. Permanent construction shall not include land
preparation, such as clearing, grading and filling, nor shall it include
the installation of streets and/or walkways, nor shall it include
excavation for a basement, footings or piers, or foundations or the
erection of temporary footings or piers, or foundations or the erection
of temporary forms, nor shall it include the installation on the property
of accessory buildings, such as garages or sheds not occupied as dwelling
units or not part of the main structure. For a substantial improvement,
the actual start of construction shall include but not be limited
to 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.
Includes a walled and roofed building, a manufactured home,
or a gas or liquid storage tank that is principally above ground.
Damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the
cost of restoring the structure to its before-damaged condition would
equal or exceed 50% of the market value of the structure before the
damage occurred.
Any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvement
of a structure, the cost of which exceeds 50% of the market value
of the structure before the start of construction of the improvement.
This term includes structures which have incurred substantial damage,
regardless of the actual repair work performed. The term shall not,
however, include either:
Any project for improvement of a structure to correct existing
violations of state and local health, sanitary or safety code specifications
which have been identified by the local Code Enforcement Officer and
which are the minimum necessary to assure safe living conditions;
or
Any alteration of an historic structure, provided that the alteration
will not preclude the structure's continued designation as an historic
structure.
A grant of relief from the requirements of this chapter which
permits construction in a manner that would otherwise be prohibited
by this chapter.
This chapter shall apply to all areas of special flood hazard
within the jurisdiction of the Township of Mine Hill.
The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal
Insurance Administration in a scientific and engineering report entitled
the "Flood Insurance Study for the Township of Mine Hill," dated May
3, 1993, with accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Maps and Flood Boundary-Floodway
Maps, is hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of
this chapter. The Flood Insurance Study is on file with the Clerk
of the Township of Mine Hill at 10 Baker Street, Mine Hill, New Jersey
07801.
No structure or land shall hereafter be constructed, located, extended, converted or altered without full compliance with the terms of this chapter and other applicable regulations. Violations of the provisions of this chapter by failure to comply with any of its requirements (including violations of conditions and safeguards established in connection with conditions) shall constitute a misdemeanor. Any person who violates this chapter or fails to comply with any of its requirements shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to the penalty in § 1-3, General penalty, of the Code of the Township of Mine Hill and, in addition, shall pay all costs and expenses involved in the case. Nothing herein contained shall prevent the Township of Mine Hill from taking such other lawful action as is necessary to prevent or remedy any violation.
This chapter is not intended to repeal, abrogate, or impair
any existing easements, covenants, or deed restrictions. However,
where this chapter and other ordinance, easement, covenant or deed
restriction conflict or overlap, whichever imposes the more stringent
restrictions shall prevail. This chapter shall not, in whole or in
part, be construed to abrogate or otherwise impair a more restrictive
easement, covenant or deed restriction. In any case, an affected party
will be required to satisfy all of the covenants and restrictions
associated with the chain of title as well as the requirements of
the chapter, and neither the restrictions nor the chapter are understood
to abrogate or otherwise modify the other.
In the interpretation and application of this chapter, all provisions
shall be:
A.
The degree of flood protection required by this chapter is considered
reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on scientific and
engineering considerations. Larger floods can and will occur on rare
occasions. Flood heights may be increased by man-made or natural causes.
This chapter does not imply that land outside the area of special
flood hazards or uses permitted within such areas will be free from
flooding or flood damages.
B.
This chapter shall not create liability on the part of the Township
of Mine Hill, any officer or employee thereof or the Federal Insurance
Administration for any flood damages that result from reliance on
this chapter or any administrative decision lawfully made thereunder.
A development permit shall be obtained before construction or development begins within any area of special flood hazard established in § 259-6. Application for a development permit shall be made on forms furnished by the Mine Hill Township Administrator and may 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, drainage facilities, and the location of the foregoing. Specifically, the following information is required:
A.
Elevation, in relation to mean sea level, of the lowest floor (including
basement) of all structures;
B.
Elevation, in relation to mean sea level, to which any structure
has been floodproofed;
C.
Certification by a registered professional engineer or architect
that the floodproofing methods for any nonresidential structure meet
the floodproofing criteria; and
D.
Description of the extent to which any watercourse will be altered
or relocated as a result of proposed development.
The Township Administrator is hereby appointed to administer
and implement this chapter by granting or denying development permit
applications in accordance with its provisions.
Duties of the local administrator shall include, but not be
limited to:
A.
Permit review. The local administrator shall:
(1)
Review all development permits to determine that the permit requirements
of this chapter have been satisfied.
(2)
Review all development permits to determine that all necessary permits
have been obtained from those federal, state or local governmental
agencies from which prior approval is required.
(3)
Review all development permits to determine if the proposed development
is located in the floodway and to ensure that the encroachment provisions
of this chapter are met.
B.
Use of other base flood and floodway data. Where base flood elevation and floodway data has not been provided in accordance with § 259-6, Basis for establishing areas of special flood hazard, the local administrator 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 § 259-17A, specific standards for residential construction, and § 259-17B, specific standards for nonresidential construction.
C.
Information to be obtained and maintained. The local administrator
shall:
(1)
Obtain and record the actual elevation (in relation to mean sea level)
of the lowest floor (including basement) of all new or substantially
improved structures, whether or not the structure contains a basement.
(3)
Maintain for public inspection all records pertaining to the provisions
of this chapter.
D.
Alteration of watercourses. The local administrator shall:
(1)
Notify adjacent communities and the State Department of Environmental
Protection, Floodplain Management Section, prior to any alteration
or relocation of a watercourse, and submit evidence of such notification
to the Federal Insurance Administration.[1]
(2)
Require that maintenance is provided within the altered or relocated
portion of said watercourse so the flood carrying capacity is not
diminished.
E.
Interpretation of FIRM boundaries. The local administrator shall make interpretations, where needed, as to the exact location of the boundaries of the areas of special flood hazards (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 the interpretation as provided in § 259-14.
A.
The Planning Board as established by the Township of Mine Hill shall
hear and decide appeals and requests for variances from the requirements
of this chapter.
B.
The Planning Board shall hear and decide appeals when it is alleged
there is an error in any requirement, decision, or determination made
by the local administrator in the enforcement or administration of
this chapter.
C.
Those aggrieved by the decision of the Planning Board or any taxpayer
may appeal such decision to the Superior Court, Law Division, pursuant
to the rules of court governing such appeals.
D.
In passing upon such applications, the Planning Board shall consider
all technical evaluations, all relevant factors, standards specified
in other sections of this chapter, and:
(1)
The danger that materials may be swept onto other lands to the injury
of others;
(2)
The danger of life and property due to flooding or erosion damage;
(3)
The susceptibility of the proposed facility and its contents to flood
damage and the effect of such damage on the individual owner;
(4)
The importance of the services provided by the proposed facility
to the community;
(5)
The necessity to the facility of a waterfront location, where applicable;
(6)
The availability of alternative locations for the proposed use which
are not subject to flooding or erosion damage;
(7)
The relationship of the proposed use with existing and anticipated
development;
(8)
The relationship of the proposed use to the Comprehensive Plan and
floodplain management program of that area;
(9)
The safety of access to the property in times of flood for ordinary
and emergency vehicles;
(10)
The expected heights, velocity, duration, rate of rise, and
sediment transport of the floodwaters and the effects of wave action,
if applicable, expected at the site; and
(11)
The costs of providing governmental services during and after
flood conditions, including maintenance and repair of public utilities
and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical, and water systems,
and streets and bridges.
E.
Upon consideration of the factors of Subsection D and the purposes of this chapter, the Planning Board may attach such conditions to the granting of variances as it deems necessary to further the purposes of this chapter.
F.
The local administrator shall maintain the records of all appeal
actions, including technical information, and report any variances
to the Federal Insurance Administration upon request.
A.
Generally, variances may be issued for new construction and substantial improvements to be erected on a lot of 1/2 acre or less in size contiguous to and surrounded by lots with existing structures constructed below the base flood level, providing items in § 259-14D(1) through (11) have been fully considered. As the lot size increases beyond the 1/2 acre, the technical justification required for issuing the variance increases.
B.
Variances may be issued for the repair or rehabilitation of historic
structures upon a determination that the proposed repair or rehabilitation
will not preclude the structure's continued designation as an historic
structure and the variance is the minimum necessary to preserve the
historic character and design of the structure.
C.
Variances shall not be issued within any designated floodway if any
increase in flood levels during the base flood discharge would result.
D.
Variances shall only be issued upon a determination that the variance
is the minimum necessary, considering the flood hazard, to afford
relief.
E.
Variances shall only be issued upon:
(1)
A showing of good and sufficient cause;
(2)
A determination that failure to grant the variance would result in
exceptional hardship to the applicant; and
(3)
A determination that the granting of a variance will not result in increased flood heights, additional threats to public safety, extraordinary public expense, create nuisances, cause fraud on or victimization of the public as identified in § 259-14D or conflict with existing local laws or ordinances.
F.
Any applicant to whom a variance is granted shall be given written
notice that the structure will be permitted to be built with a lowest
floor elevation below the base flood elevation and that the cost of
flood insurance will be commensurate with the increased risk resulting
from the reduced lowest floor elevation.
A.
General standards. In all areas of special flood hazard, the following
standards are required:
(1)
All new construction and substantial improvements shall be anchored
to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement of the structure;
(2)
All manufactured homes shall be anchored to resist flotation, collapse
or lateral movement. Methods of anchoring may include, but are not
to be limited to, use of over-the-top or frame ties to ground anchors.
This requirement is in addition to applicable state and local anchoring
requirements for resisting wind forces;
(3)
All new construction and substantial improvements shall be constructed
with materials and utility equipment resistant to flood damage;
(4)
All new construction and substantial improvements shall be constructed
using methods and practices that minimize flood damage;
(5)
All new and replacement water supply systems shall be designed to
minimize or eliminate infiltration of floodwaters into the system;
(6)
New and replacement sanitary sewage systems shall be designed to
minimize or eliminate infiltration of floodwaters into the systems
and discharge from the systems into floodwaters;
(7)
On-site waste disposal systems shall be located to avoid impairment
to them or contamination from them during flooding; and
(8)
Electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing and air-conditioning equipment
and other service facilities shall be designed and/or located so as
to prevent water from entering or accumulating within the components
during conditions of flooding.
B.
Subdivision proposals. All subdivision proposals shall:
(1)
Be consistent with the need to minimize flood damage;
(2)
Have public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical,
and water systems located and constructed to minimize flood damage;
(3)
Have adequate drainage provided to reduce exposure to flood damage;
and
(4)
Provide base flood elevation data for all subdivision proposals and
other proposed development which contain at least 50 lots or five
acres (whichever is less).
C.
Enclosure openings. All new construction and substantial improvements
having fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor that are usable
solely for parking of vehicles, building access or storage in an area
other than a basement and which are subject to flooding shall be designed
to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls
by allowing for the entry and exit of floodwaters. Designs for meeting
this requirement must either be certified by a registered professional
engineer or architect or must meet or exceed the following minimum
criteria:
(1)
A
minimum of two openings having a total net area of not less than one
square inch for every square foot of enclosed area subject to flooding
shall be provided.
(2)
The
bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above grade.
(3)
Openings
may be equipped with screens, louvers, or other covering or devices,
provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.
In all areas of special flood hazard where base flood elevation data have been provided as set forth in § 259-6, Basis for establishing areas of special flood hazard, or in § 259-13B, Use of other base flood and floodway data, the following standards are required:
A.
Residential
construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any
residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement,
elevated to or above the base flood elevation.
B.
Nonresidential
construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any
commercial, industrial or other nonresidential structure shall either
have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to the level of
the base flood elevation; or
(1)
Be floodproofed so that below the base flood level the structure
is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage
of water;
(2)
Have structural components capable of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic
loads and effects of buoyancy; and
(3)
Be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect that the design and methods of construction are in accordance with accepted standards of practice for meeting the applicable provisions of this subsection. Such certification shall be provided to the official as set forth in § 259-13C(2).
C.
Manufactured
homes.
Located within areas of special flood hazard established in § 259-6 are areas designated as floodways. Since the floodway is an extremely hazardous area due to the velocity of floodwaters which carry debris, potential projectiles, and erosion potential, the following provisions apply:
A.
Encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements,
and other development, shall be prohibited unless a technical evaluation
demonstrates that encroachment shall not result in any increase in
flood levels during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.
C.
In all areas of special flood hazard in which base flood elevation
data has been provided and no floodway has been designated, the cumulative
effect and any proposed development, when combined with all other
existing and anticipated development, shall not increase the water
surface elevation of the base flood more than 0.2 of a foot at any
point.
