Township of Stroud, PA TECHNICAL PROVISIONS

[Ord. 2-2013, 4/2/2013]

Alteration or Relocation of Watercourse.

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 municipality, and until all required permits or approvals have first been obtained from the Department of Environmental Protection Regional Office and provided all other required permits and approvals from Stroud Township and other governmental agencies are granted.

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.

In addition, FEMA and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development shall be notified prior to any alteration or relocation of any watercourse.

Technical or scientific data shall be submitted by the applicant to FEMA for a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) as soon as practicable but within six months of any new construction, development, or other activity resulting in changes in the BFE. The situations when a LOMR or a Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) are required are:

Any development that causes a rise in the base flood elevations within the floodway;

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

Alteration or relocation of a stream (including but not limited to installing culverts and bridges).

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.

Within any identified floodplain area (see § 8-302), no new construction or development shall be located within the area measured 50 feet landward from the top-of-bank of any watercourse, unless a permit is obtained from the Department of Environmental Protection Regional Office and provided all other required permits and approvals from Stroud Township and other governmental agencies are granted.

§ 8-402 Design and Construction Standards.

[Ord. 2-2013, 4/2/2013]

The following minimum standards, in addition to all applicable National Flood Insurance Program requirements, shall apply to any construction and development approved within any identified floodplain area:

Residential and Nonresidential Structures.

(1)

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.

(2)

In A Zones, 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 § 8-302, Subsection 1C, of this chapter.

(3)

The design and construction standards and specifications contained in the 2009 International Building Code (IBC) and in the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC) or the most recent revisions thereof and ASCE 24 and 34 Pa. Code (Chapters 401 to 405, as amended) shall be utilized.

Space Below the Lowest Floor.

(1)

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 floodwaters for the purpose of equalizing hydrostatic forces on exterior walls. The term "fully enclosed space" also includes crawl spaces.

(2)

Designs for meeting this requirement must either be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect, or meet or exceed the following minimum criteria:

(a)

A minimum of two openings having a net total area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed space.

(b)

The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above grade.

(c)

Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, etc. or other coverings or devices, provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.

Manufactured Homes.

(1)

Within any identified floodplain area, manufactured homes shall be prohibited.

(2)

If a manufactured home(s), or any improvements thereto, are granted a waiver in accordance with the criteria in Article VIII and are located in any identified floodplain area, such home(s) and/or improvements shall be:

(a)

Placed on a permanent foundation.

(b)

Elevated so that the lowest floor of the manufactured home is at least 1 1/2 feet above the base flood elevation.

(c)

Anchored to resist flotation, collapse, or lateral movement.

(3)

Installation of manufactured homes shall be done in accordance with the manufactures' 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 Building Code or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Permanent Foundations for Manufactured Housing, 1984 Edition, draft or latest revision thereto, shall apply and 34 Pa. Code, Chapters 401 to 405.

(4)

Consideration shall be given to the installation requirements of the 2009 IBC, and the 2009 IRC or the most recent revisions thereto, and 34 Pa. Code, as amended, where appropriate and/or applicable to units where the manufacturers' standards for anchoring cannot be provided or were not established for the unit's proposed installation.

Historic Structures. See § 8-107 for requirements for the substantial improvement of any historic structures.

Accessory Structures. Structures accessory to a principal building need not be elevated to remain dry, but shall comply, at a minimum, with the following requirements:

(1)

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.

(2)

Floor area shall not exceed 150 square feet.

(3)

The structure shall have a low damage potential.

(4)

The structure shall be located on the site so as to cause the least obstruction to the flow of floodwaters.

(5)

Power lines, wiring, and outlets will be elevated to the regulatory flood elevation.

(6)

Permanently affixed utility equipment and appliances such as furnaces, heaters, washers, dryers, etc. are prohibited.

(7)

Sanitary facilities are prohibited.

(8)

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:

(a)

A minimum of two openings having a net total area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed space.

(b)

The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above grade.

(c)

Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, etc. or other coverings or devices, provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.

(9)

No more than two accessory structures shall be permitted per property.

Fill. Within any identified floodplain area, the use of fill shall be prohibited unless granted by waiver. If a waiver is obtained in accordance with the criteria in Part 6, then the following provisions apply when fill is used. Fill shall:

(1)

Extend laterally at least 15 feet beyond the building line from all points;

(2)

Consist of soil or small rock materials only; sanitary landfills shall not be permitted;

(3)

Be compacted to provide the necessary permeability and resistance to erosion, scouring, or settling;

(4)

Be no steeper than one vertical to two horizontal feet unless substantiated data justifying steeper slopes are submitted to the Township Engineer for review and recommendation and approved by the Floodplain Administrator; and

(5)

Be used to the extent to which it does not adversely affect adjacent properties.

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.

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 floodwaters.

(2)

Sanitary sewer facilities and systems shall be designed to prevent the discharge of untreated sewage into floodwaters.

(3)

No part of any on-site sewage system shall be located within any identified floodplain area.

(4)

The design and construction provisions of the UCC and FEMA #348, "Protecting Building Utilities From Flood Damages", and the International Private Sewage Disposal Code shall be utilized.

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.

Streets. The finished elevation of all new streets shall be no more than one foot below the regulatory flood elevation.

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 § 8-404, Subsection 1I, Development or Activity Which May Endanger Human Life, shall be stored at or above the regulatory flood elevation.

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 floodwater.

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.

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.

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.

Electrical Components.

(1)

Electrical distribution panels shall be at least three feet above the base flood elevation.

(2)

Separate electrical circuits shall serve lower levels and shall be dropped from above.

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.

Fuel Supply Systems. All gas and oil supply systems shall be designed to prevent the infiltration of floodwaters into the system and discharges from the system into floodwaters. Additional provisions shall be made for the drainage of these systems in the event that floodwater infiltration occurs.

Uniform Construction Code Coordination. The Standards and Specifications contained 34 Pa. Code (Chapters 401 to 405, as amended) and not limited to the following provisions shall apply to the above and other sections and subsections of this chapter, to the extent that they are more restrictive and supplement the requirements of this chapter.

(1)

International Building Code (IBC) 2009 or the latest edition thereof: Secs. 801, 1202, 1403, 1603, 1605, 1612, 3402, and Appendix G.

(2)

International Residential Building Code (IRC) 2009 or the latest edition thereof: Secs. R104, R105, R109, R323, Appendix AE101, Appendix E and Appendix J.

§ 8-403 Special Requirements for Subdivision and Land Development.

[Ord. 2-2013, 4/2/2013]

All subdivision proposals and land development proposals containing at least 10 lots or at least five acres, whichever is the lesser, partly 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.

§ 8-404 Prohibited Activities and Development.

[Ord. 2-2013, 4/2/2013]

In any identified floodplain area, the following shall be prohibited unless allowed by § 8-204, Uses Permitted by Right, or § 8-205, Uses Permitted by Waiver.

Buildings. All walled and roofed buildings.

Any new construction or development that will in any manner retard, divert or alter the natural flow of floodwaters on the site except activities permitted by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection under Title 25, Chapter 105 of the Pennsylvania Code, or conveyances required by Title 25, Chapter 102 (see definition of "development").

Floodway Construction or Development. No new construction or development shall be permitted in any floodway area or, in the absence of a floodway area, within the area measured 50 feet landward from the top-of-bank of any watercourse.

Developments of Special Concern.

(1)

The commencement of any of the following activities, or the construction enlargement, or expansion of any structure used, or intended to be used, for any of the following activities shall be prohibited:

Hospitals.

Nursing homes.

Jails or prisons.

Public facilities intended for emergency response or preparedness.

(2)

The commencement of, or any construction of, a new manufactured home park or manufactured home subdivision, or substantial improvement to an existing manufactured home park or manufactured home subdivision.

Recreational Vehicles. Within any identified floodplain area, recreational vehicles shall be prohibited unless granted by waiver. If a waiver is obtained in accordance with the criteria in Article VIII, then the following provisions apply when recreational vehicles are located within any identified floodplain area:

(1)

Recreational vehicles by waiver approval may be located in Zones A, A1-30, AH and AE and must either:

(a)

Be on the site for fewer than 180 days over 12 consecutive months; and

(b)

Be fully licensed and ready for highway use; or

(c)

Meet the permit requirements for manufactured homes in § 8-402, Subsection 1C.

(2)

No more than two recreational vehicles per property shall be permitted by waiver.

Fill. The placement of fill material that is not associated with a permitted activity.

Sewage Disposal. On-lot or community subsurface sewage disposal systems.

Structures associated with mining or oil and gas production, i.e., water storage, fluid containment, or well pads.

Development or Activity Which May Endanger Human Life. Any type of development or activity shall be prohibited which will be used for the production or storage of any of the following dangerous materials or substances; or which will be used for any activity requiring the maintenance of a supply of more than 550 gallons, or other comparable volume, of any of the following dangerous materials or substances on the premises; or which will involve the production, storage, or use of any amount of radioactive substances. The following list of materials and substances are considered dangerous to human life:

Acetone.

Ammonia.

Benzene.

Calcium carbide.

Carbon disulfide.

Celluloid.