[Ord. 652, 8/6/2014, § 8-501]
1.
Alteration or Relocation of Watercourse.
A.
No encroachment, alteration, or improvement of any kind shall be
made to any watercourse until all adjacent municipalities which may
be affected by such action have been notified by the Township, and
until all required permits or approvals have been first obtained from
the DEP Regional Office.
B.
No encroachment, alteration, or improvement of any kind shall be
made to any watercourse unless it can be shown that the activity will
not reduce or impede the flood carrying capacity of the watercourse
in any way.
C.
In addition, FEMA and the Department of Community and Economic Development
(DCED) shall be notified prior to any alteration or relocation of
any watercourse.
2.
Encroachments.
A.
When the Township proposes to permit the following encroachments, the applicant shall comply with the requirements of § 8-501, Subsection 2B, below:
(1)
Any development that causes a rise in the base flood elevations
within the floodway; or
(2)
Any development occurring in Zones A1-30 and Zone AE without
a designated floodway, which will cause a rise of more than one foot
in the base flood elevation; or
(3)
Alteration or relocation of a stream (including but not limited
to installing culverts and bridges).
B.
When the Township proposes to permit the encroachments identified in § 8-501, Subsection 2A, above, the applicant shall (as per 44 CFR Part 65.12):
(1)
Apply to FEMA for conditional approval of such action prior
to permitting the encroachments to occur.
(2)
Upon receipt of the Administrator's conditional approval
of map change and prior to approving the proposed encroachments, a
community shall provide evidence to FEMA of the adoption of floodplain
management ordinances incorporating the increased base flood elevations
and/or revised floodway reflecting the post-project condition.
(3)
Upon completion of the proposed encroachments, a community shall
provide as-built certifications. FEMA will initiate a final map revision
upon receipt of such certifications in accordance with 44 CFR Part
67.
3.
Compliance. Any new construction, development, uses or activities
allowed within any Identified Floodplain Area shall be undertaken
in strict compliance with the provisions contained in this chapter
and any other applicable codes, ordinances and regulations.
4.
Watercourse Buffer. Within any Identified Floodplain Area, no new
construction or development shall be located within the area measured
50 feet landward from the top-of-bank of any watercourse.
[Ord. 652, 8/6/2014, § 8-502]
1.
Residential Structures.
A.
In AE, A1-30 and AH Zones, any new construction or substantial improvement
shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated up to, or
above, the regulatory flood elevation.
B.
In A Zones, where there are no Base Flood Elevations specified on the FIRM, any new construction or substantial improvement shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated up to, or above, the regulatory flood elevation determined in accordance with § 8-402, Subsection 1C, of this chapter.
C.
The design and construction standards and specifications contained
in the Uniform Construction Code and the standardized codes adopted
thereunder, including but not limited to the 2009 International Building
Code, the 2009 International Residential Code, and ASCE 24, or latest
edition of each that is incorporated into the Uniform Construction
Code, shall be utilized.
2.
Nonresidential Structures.
A.
In AE, A1-30 and AH Zones, any new construction or substantial improvement of a nonresidential structure shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated or completely floodproofed up to, or above, the regulatory flood elevation determined in accordance with § 8-402, Subsection 1C, of this chapter or be designed and constructed so that the space enclosed below the regulatory flood elevation:
B.
In A Zones, where no Base Flood Elevations are specified on the FIRM, any new construction or substantial improvement shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated or completely floodproofed up to, or above, the regulatory flood elevation determined in accordance with § 8-402, Subsection 1C, of this chapter.
C.
Any nonresidential structure, or part thereof, made watertight below
the regulatory flood elevation shall be floodproofed in accordance
with the W1 or W2 space classification standards contained in the
publication entitled "Flood-Proofing Regulations" published by the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (June 1972, as amended March 1992) or
with some other equivalent standard. All plans and specifications
for such floodproofing shall be accompanied by a statement certified
by a registered professional engineer or architect which states that
the proposed design and methods of construction are in conformance
with the above referenced standards.
D.
The design and construction standards and specifications contained
in the Uniform Construction Code and the standardized codes adopted
thereunder, including but not limited to the 2009 International Building
Code, the 2009 International Residential Code, and ASCE 24, or latest
edition of each that is incorporated into the Uniform Construction
Code, shall be utilized.
3.
Space Below the Lowest Floor.
A.
Basements are prohibited.
B.
Fully enclosed space below the lowest floor (excluding basements)
which will be used solely for the parking of a vehicle, building access,
or incidental storage in an area other than a basement, shall be designed
and constructed to allow for the automatic entry and exit of flood
waters for the purpose of equalizing hydrostatic forces on exterior
walls. The term "fully enclosed space" also includes crawl spaces.
C.
Designs for meeting this requirement must either be certified by
a registered professional engineer or architect, or meet or exceed
the following minimum criteria:
(1)
A minimum of two openings having a net total area of not less
than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed space;
(2)
The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot
above grade; and
(3)
Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, etc., or other
coverings or devices provided that they permit the automatic entry
and exit of floodwaters.
4.
Historic Structures. Historic structures undergoing repair or rehabilitation
that would constitute a substantial improvement as defined in this
chapter, must comply with all chapter requirements that do not preclude
the structure's continued designation as a historic structure.
Documentation that a specific chapter requirement will cause removal
of the structure from the National Register of Historic Places or
the State Inventory of Historic Places must be obtained from the Secretary
of the Interior or the State Historic Preservation Officer. Any exemption
from chapter requirements will be the minimum necessary to preserve
the historic character and design of the structure.
5.
Accessory Structures. Structures accessory to a principal building need to comply with all regulations in this chapter; provided, however, if a floodplain variance is obtained (in accordance with the criteria in Part 8 of this chapter) from any such regulation related to an accessory structure, then the accessory structure need not be elevated or floodproofed to remain dry, but shall comply, at a minimum, with the following requirements:
A.
The structure shall not be designed or used for human habitation,
but shall be limited to the parking of vehicles, or to the storage
of tools, material, and equipment related to the principal use or
activity.
B.
Floor area shall not exceed 200 square feet.
C.
The structure will have a low damage potential.
D.
The structure will be located on the site so as to cause the least
obstruction to the flow of flood waters.
E.
Power lines, wiring, and outlets will be elevated to the regulatory
flood elevation.
F.
Permanently affixed utility equipment and appliances such as furnaces,
heaters, washers, dryers, etc., are prohibited.
G.
Sanitary facilities are prohibited.
H.
The structure shall be adequately anchored to prevent flotation or
movement and shall be designed to automatically provide for the entry
and exit of floodwater for the purpose of equalizing hydrostatic forces
on the walls. Designs for meeting this requirement must either be
certified by a registered professional engineer or architect, or meet
or exceed the following minimum criteria:
(1)
A minimum of two floodwater openings having a net total area
of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed
space;
(2)
The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot
above grade; and
(3)
Floodwater openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, etc.,
other coverings or devices provided that they permit the automatic
entry and exit of flood waters.
[Ord. 652, 8/6/2014, § 8-503]
The following minimum standards shall apply for all construction
and development proposed within any Identified Floodplain Area:
A.
Fill. Within any Identified Floodplain Area the use of fill shall be prohibited. If a floodplain variance is obtained in accordance with the criteria in Part 8 of this chapter, and fill is used then the following provisions shall apply:
(1)
The fill shall extend laterally at least 15 feet beyond the building
line from all points;
(2)
The fill shall consist of soil or small rock materials only; sanitary
landfills shall not be permitted;
(3)
The fill shall be compacted to provide the necessary permeability
and resistance to erosion, scouring, or settling;
(4)
The fill shall be no steeper than one-foot vertical to two feet horizontal
unless substantiated data justifying steeper slopes are submitted
to and approved by the Floodplain Administrator; and
(5)
The fill shall be used to the extent to which it does not adversely
affect adjacent properties.
B.
Drainage Facilities. Storm drainage facilities shall be designed
to convey the flow of stormwater runoff in a safe and efficient manner.
The system shall ensure proper drainage along streets, and provide
positive drainage away from buildings. The system shall also be designed
to prevent the discharge of excess runoff onto adjacent properties.
C.
Water and Sanitary Sewer Facilities and Systems.
(1)
All new or replacement water supply and sanitary sewer facilities
and systems shall be located, designed and constructed to minimize
or eliminate flood damages and the infiltration of flood waters.
(2)
Sanitary sewer facilities and systems shall be designed to prevent
the discharge of untreated sewage into flood waters.
(3)
No part of any on-site sewage system shall be located within any
Identified Floodplain Area except in strict compliance with all state
and local regulations for such systems. If any such system is permitted,
it shall be located so as to avoid impairment to it, or contamination
from it, during a flood.
(4)
The design and construction provisions of the Uniform Construction
Code, FEMA #348 -Protecting Building Utilities from Flood Damages,
and the International Private Sewage Disposal Code, latest edition,
shall be utilized.
D.
Other Utilities. All other utilities such as gas lines, electrical
and telephone systems shall be located, elevated (where possible)
and constructed to minimize the chance of impairment during a flood.
E.
Streets. The finished elevation of all new streets shall be no more
than one foot below the Regulatory Flood Elevation.
F.
Storage. All materials that are buoyant, flammable, explosive, or in times of flooding, could be injurious to human, animal, or plant life, and not listed in § 8-504 of this chapter (Development Which May Endanger Human Life), shall be stored at or above the Regulatory Flood Elevation or flood proofed to the maximum extent possible.
G.
Placement of Buildings and Structures. All buildings and structures
shall be designed, located, and constructed so as to offer the minimum
obstruction to the flow of water and shall be designed to have a minimum
effect upon the flow and height of flood water.
H.
Anchoring.
(1)
All buildings and structures shall be firmly anchored in accordance
with accepted engineering practices to prevent flotation, collapse,
or lateral movement.
(2)
All air ducts, large pipes, storage tanks, and other similar objects
or components located below the regulatory flood elevation shall be
securely anchored or affixed to prevent flotation.
I.
Floors, Walls and Ceilings.
(1)
Wood flooring used at or below the Regulatory Flood Elevation shall
be installed to accommodate a lateral expansion of the flooring, perpendicular
to the flooring grain without causing structural damage to the building.
(2)
Plywood used at or below the Regulatory Flood Elevation shall be
of a "marine" or "water-resistant" variety.
(3)
Walls and ceilings at or below the Regulatory Flood Elevation shall
be designed and constructed of materials that are "water-resistant"
and will withstand inundation.
(4)
Windows, doors, and other components at or below the Regulatory Flood
Elevation shall be made of metal or other "water-resistant" material.
J.
Paints and Adhesives.
(1)
Paints and other finishes used at or below the Regulatory Flood Elevation
shall be of "marine" or "water-resistant" quality.
(2)
Adhesives used at or below the Regulatory Flood Elevation shall be
of a "marine" or "water-resistant" variety.
(3)
All wooden components (doors, trim, cabinets, etc.) used at or below
the Regulatory Flood Elevation shall be finished with a "marine" or
"water-resistant" paint or other finishing material.
L.
Equipment. Water heaters, furnaces, air conditioning and ventilating
units, and other electrical, mechanical or utility equipment or apparatus
shall not be located below the Regulatory Flood Elevation.
M.
Fuel Supply Systems. All gas and oil supply systems shall be designed
to prevent the infiltration of flood waters into the system and discharges
from the system into flood waters. Additional provisions shall be
made for the drainage of these systems in the event that flood water
infiltration occurs.
N.
Uniform Construction Code Coordination. The standards and specifications
contained and incorporated in the Uniform Construction Code, including
without limitation §§ 801, 1202, 1403, 1603, 1605,
1612, 3402, and Appendix G of the 2009 International Building Code,
or the latest edition thereof, and §§ R104, R105, R109,
R323, Appendix AE101, Appendix E and Appendix J of the 2009 International
Residential Building Code, or the latest edition thereof, shall apply
to the extent that they are more restrictive and supplement the requirements
of this chapter.
[Ord. 652, 8/6/2014, § 8-504]
1.
In accordance with the Flood Plain Management Act, and the regulations
adopted by the Department of Community and Economic Development as
required by such Act, any new or substantially improved structure
which satisfies one of the following criteria shall be subject to
the provisions of this section, in addition to all other applicable
provisions:
2.
The following list of materials and substances are considered dangerous
to human life:
A.
Acetone.
B.
Ammonia.
C.
Benzene.
D.
Calcium carbide.
E.
Carbon disulfide.
F.
Celluloid.
G.
Chlorine.
H.
Hydrochloric acid.
I.
Hydrocyanic acid.
J.
Magnesium.
K.
Nitric acid and oxides of nitrogen.
L.
Petroleum products (gasoline, fuel oil, etc.).
M.
Phosphorus.
N.
Potassium.
O.
Sodium.
P.
Sulphur and sulphur products.
Q.
Pesticides (including insecticides, fungicides, and rodenticides).
R.
Radioactive substances, insofar as such substances are not otherwise
regulated.
4.
Within any Floodway Area, any structure of the kind described in § 8-504, Subsection 1, above, shall be prohibited. Where permitted within any Identified Floodplain Area, any new or substantially improved residential structure of the kind described in § 8-504, Subsection 1, above, shall be elevated to remain completely dry up to at least 1 1/2 feet above regulatory flood elevation and built in accordance with §§ 8-501, 8-502 and 8-503 of this chapter.
5.
Where permitted within any Identified Floodplain Area, any new or substantially improved non-residential structure of the kind described in § 8-504, Subsection 1, above, shall be built in accordance with §§ 8-501, 8-502 and 8-503 of this chapter including:
A.
Elevated, or designed and constructed to remain completely dry up
to at least 1 1/2 feet above regulatory flood elevation, and
B.
Designed to prevent pollution from the structure or activity during
the course of a base flood.
Any such structure, or part thereof, that will be built below
1 1/2 feet above the regulatory flood elevation shall be designed
and constructed in accordance with the standards for completely dry
floodproofing contained in the publication "Flood-Proofing Regulations"
(U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, June 1972 as amended March 1992), or
with some other equivalent watertight standard.
[Ord. 652, 8/6/2014, § 8-505]
All subdivision proposals and development proposals containing
at least 20 lots or at least five acres, and located in Identified
Floodplain Areas where base flood elevation data are not available,
shall be supported by hydrologic and hydraulic engineering analyses
that determine base flood elevations and floodway information. The
analyses shall be prepared by a licensed professional engineer in
a format required by FEMA for a Conditional Letter of Map Revision
or Letter of Map Revision. Submittal requirements and processing fees
shall be the responsibility of the applicant.
[Ord. 652, 8/6/2014, § 8-506]
Within any Identified Floodplain Area, manufactured homes shall be prohibited; provided, however, if a floodplain variance is obtained (in accordance with the criteria in Part 8 of this chapter) to permit such a structure in an Identified Floodplain Area, then the following requirements shall apply:
A.
Within any Floodway Area/District, manufactured homes shall be prohibited.
The Zoning Hearing Board shall not have the power to grant a floodplain
variance from this prohibition.
B.
Within any Identified Floodplain Area, manufactured homes shall be
prohibited within the area measured 50 feet landward from the top-of-bank
of any watercourse.
C.
Where permitted within any Identified Floodplain Area, all manufactured
homes, and any improvements thereto, shall be:
(1)
Placed on a permanent foundation;
(2)
Elevated so that the lowest floor of the manufactured home is at
least 1 1/2 feet above base flood elevation;
(3)
Anchored to resist flotation, collapse, or lateral movement; and
(4)
Have all ductwork and utilities, including HVAC/heat pump, elevated
to the Regulatory Flood Elevation.
D.
Installation of manufactured homes shall be done in accordance with
the manufacturers' installation instructions as provided by the
manufacturer. Where the applicant cannot provide the above information,
the requirements of Appendix E of the 2009 International Residential
Code, or latest edition thereof, or the U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development's "Permanent Foundations for Manufactured
Housing," 1984 Edition, draft or latest revision thereto, and Chapters
401-405 of the Uniform Construction Code, 34 Pa. Code Chapters 401-405,
shall apply.
E.
Consideration shall be given to the installation requirements of
the 2009 International Building Code or the 2009 International Residential
Code, or latest edition of either, and Title 34 of the Pennsylvania
Code, Labor and Industry, as amended where appropriate and/or applicable
to units where the manufacturers' standards for anchoring cannot
be provided or were not established for the proposed unit(s) installation.
