[Ord. No. 793]
The Legislature of the State of New Jersey has in N.J.S.A. 40:48-1,
et seq., delegated the responsibility to local governmental units
to adopt regulations designed to promote public health, safety, and
general welfare of its citizenry.
[Ord. No. 793]
a.
The flood hazard areas of the Borough of Hopewell 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 when inadequately anchored, causes damage in other
areas. Uses that are inadequately floodproofed, elevated or otherwise
protected from flood damage also contribute to the flood loss.
[Ord. No. 793]
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:
a.
Protect human life and health;
b.
Minimize expenditure of public money for costly flood control projects;
c.
Minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding
and generally undertaken at the expense of the general public;
d.
Minimize prolonged business interruptions;
e.
Minimize damage to public facilities and utilities such as water
and gas mains, electric, telephone and sewer lines, streets, bridges
located in areas of special flood hazard;
f.
Help maintain a stable tax base by providing for the second use and
development of areas of special flood hazard so as to minimize future
flood blight areas;
g.
Ensure that potential buyers are notified that property is in an
area of special flood hazard; and
h.
Ensure that those who occupy the areas of special flood hazard assume
responsibility for their actions.
[Ord. No. 793]
In order to accomplish its purposes, this ordinance includes
methods and provisions for:
a.
Restricting or prohibiting uses which are dangerous to health, safety,
and property due to water or erosion hazards, or which result in damaging
increases in erosion or in flood heights or velocities;
b.
Requiring that uses vulnerable to floods including facilities which
serve such uses, be protected against flood damage at the time of
initial construction;
c.
Controlling the alteration of natural floodplains, stream channels,
and natural protective barriers, which help accommodate or channel
flood waters;
d.
Controlling filling, grading, dredging, and other development which
may increase flood damage; and,
e.
Preventing or regulating the construction of flood barriers which
will unnaturally divert flood waters or which may increase flood hazards
in other areas.
[Ord. No. 793]
Unless specifically defined below, words or phrases used in
this chapter shall be interpreted so as to give them the meaning they
have in common usage and to give this ordinance its most reasonable
application.
Areas subject to inundation by 1%-annual-chance shallow flooding
(usually areas of ponding) where average depths are between one and
three feet. Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) derived from detailed hydraulic
analyses are shown in this zone.
Areas subject to inundation by 1%-annual-chance shallow flooding
(usually sheet flow on sloping terrain) where average depths are between
one and three feet.
A request for a review of the Flood Plain Administrator's
interpretation of any provision of this ordinance or a request for
a variance.
A designated AO or AH zone on a community's Digital
Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) with a 1% annual or greater chance
of flooding to an average depth of one to three feet where a clearly
defined channel does not exist, where the path of flooding is unpredictable
and where velocity flow may be evident. Such flooding is characterized
by ponding or sheet flow.
Land in the floodplain within a community subject to a 1%
or greater chance of flooding in any given year. It is shown on the
FIRM as Zone V, VE, V1-30, A, AO, A1 A30, AE, A99, or AH.
A flood having a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded in
any given year.
The flood elevation shown on a published Flood Insurance
Study (FIS) including the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). For zones
AE, AH, AO, and A1-30 the elevation represents the water surface elevation
resulting from a flood that has a 1% or greater chance of being equaled
or exceeded in any given year. For zones VE and V1-30 the elevation
represents the stillwater elevation (SWEL) plus wave effect (BFE =
SWEL + wave effect) resulting from a flood that has a 1% or greater
chance of being equaled 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 not 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.
The portion of the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) starting
from a Velocity (V) Zone and extending up to the landward Limit of
the Moderate Wave Action delineation. Where no V Zone is mapped the
Coastal A Zone is the portion between the open coast and the landward
Limit of the Moderate Wave Action delineation. Coastal A Zones may
be subject to wave effects, velocity flows, erosion, scour, or a combination
of these forces. Construction and development in Coastal A Zones is
to be regulated the same as V Zones/Coastal High Hazard Areas.
An area of special flood hazard extending from offshore to
the inland limit of a primary frontal dune along an open coast and
any other area subject to high velocity wave action from storms or
seismic sources.
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.
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.
A non-basement building (i) 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 A Zone, to have the
bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member of the elevated
floor, elevated above the base flood elevation plus freeboard by means
of piling, columns (posts and piers), or shear walls parallel to the
flow of the water, and (ii) 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 flood waters. In Areas of Coastal A Zones
"elevated buildings" also includes a building otherwise meeting the
definition of "elevated building" even though the lower area is enclosed
by means of breakaway walls.
The process of the gradual wearing away of land masses.
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 before the effective date of
the floodplain management regulations adopted by a community.
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 in which the Federal Insurance Administration
has provided flood profiles, as well as the Flood Insurance Rate Map(s)
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
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.
Any combination of structural and nonstructural additions,
changes, or adjustments to structures which reduce or eliminate flood
damage to real estate or improved real property, water and sanitary
facilities, structures and 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 accumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more
than 0.2 foot.
A factor of safety usually expressed in feet above a flood
level for purposes of flood plain management. "Freeboard" tends to
compensate for the many unknown factors that could contribute to flood
heights greater than the height calculated for a selected size flood
and floodway conditions, such as wave action, bridge openings, and
the hydrological effect of urbanization of the watershed.
The highest natural elevation of the ground surface prior
to construction next to the proposed or existing walls of a structure.
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 or a 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:
Inland limit of the area affected by waves greater than 1.5
feet during the Base Flood. Base Flood conditions between the V Zone
and the LiMWA will be similar to, but less severe than those in the
V Zone.
The lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area [including basement].
An unfinished or flood resistant enclosure, useable 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 non-elevation design requirements of 44 CFR Section
60.3.
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 "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 the effective date of a floodplain regulation adopted
by a community and includes any subsequent improvements to such structures.
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 [i] built on a single chassis; [ii] 400
square feet or less when measured at the longest horizontal projections;
[iii] designed to be self-propelled or permanently towable by a light
duty truck; and [iv] designed primarily not for use as a permanent
dwelling but as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping,
travel, or seasonal use.
Naturally occurring or man-made accumulations of sand in
ridges or mounds landward of the beach.
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. The actual start means 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 does not include land preparation,
such as clearing, grading and filling nor does it include the installation
of streets and/or walkways, nor does it include excavation for a basement,
footings or 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 part of the main structure. 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.
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 condition before damage 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 equals or 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 does not,
however, include either:
Any project for improvement of a structure to correct existing
violations of State or 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 a "historic structure", provided that the
alteration will not preclude the structure's continued designation
as a "historic structure".
A grant of relief from the requirements of this ordinance
that permits construction in a manner that would otherwise be prohibited
by this ordinance.
The failure of a structure or other development to be fully
compliant with this ordinance. A new or substantially improved structure
or other development without the elevation certificate, other certifications,
or other evidence of compliance required in 44 CFR § 60.3(b)(5),
(c)(4), (c)(10), (e)(2), (e)(4), or (e)(5) is presumed to be in violation
until such time as that documentation is provided.
[Ord. No. 793]
This chapter shall apply to all areas of special flood hazards
within the jurisdiction of the Borough of Hopewell, Mercer County,
New Jersey.
[Ord. No. 793]
The areas of special flood hazard for the Borough of Hopewell,
Mercer County, Community No. 340248, are identified and defined on
the following documents prepared by the Federal Emergency Management
Agency:
a.
A scientific and engineering report "Flood Insurance Study, Mercer
County, New Jersey (All Jurisdictions)" dated July 20, 2016.
b.
"Flood Insurance Rate Map for Mercer County, New Jersey (All Jurisdictions)"
as shown on Index and Panel 19 of 276, whose effective date is July
20, 2016.
The above documents are hereby adopted and declared to be a
part of this ordinance. The Flood Insurance Study, maps and advisory
documents are on file at the Hopewell Borough Municipal Building,
88 East Broad Street, Hopewell, New Jersey.
[Ord. No. 793]
No structure or land shall hereafter be constructed, re-located to, extended, converted, or altered without full compliance with the terms of this ordinance and other applicable regulations. Violation 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 provisions as set forth in Section 3-11 the Revised General Ordinances, and in addition shall pay all costs and expenses involved in the case. Nothing herein contained shall prevent the Borough of Hopewell, from taking such other lawful action as is necessary to prevent or remedy any violation.
[Ord. No. 793]
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.
[Ord. No. 793]
In the interpretation and application of this chapter, all provisions
shall be:
[Ord. No. 793]
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.
This chapter shall not create liability on the part of the Borough
of Hopewell, 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.
[Ord. No. 793]
A Development Permit shall be obtained before construction or development begins, including placement of manufactured homes, within any area of special flood hazard established in Section 14-2. Application for a Development Permit shall be made on forms furnished by the Flood Plain 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 in section 14-5.2.2; and,
d.
Description of the extent to which any watercourse will be altered
or relocated as a result of proposed development.
[Ord. No. 793]
The Flood Plain Administrator and Planning Board are hereby
appointed to administer and implement this chapter in accordance with
its provisions.
[Ord. No. 793]
Duties and responsibilities of the Flood Plain Administrator
shall include, but not be limited to:
[Ord. No. 793]
a.
Review all development permit applications to determine that the
permit requirements of this chapter have been satisfied.
b.
Review all development permit applications to determine that all
necessary permits have been obtained from those Federal, State or
local governmental agencies from which prior approval is required.
c.
Review all development permit applications to determine if the proposed development is located in the floodway. If located in the floodway, assure that the encroachment provisions of subsection 14-6.3a are met.
d.
Review all development permits in the Coastal A Zone area of the
area of special flood hazard to determine if the proposed development
alters the terrain or sand dunes so as to increase potential flood
damage.
e.
Review plans for walls to be used to enclose space below the base flood level in accordance with subsection 14-6.4.2d.
f.
Shall, within 45 days of receiving a complete permit application,
forward the permit application together with and his/her written review
report to the Planning Board for their review, with a copy to the
applicant. The written report shall state whether or not the application
complies with the provisions of this chapter, and if not, in which
respects it does not comply, and shall recommend approval or disapproval
of permit based on conformance with this chapter.
g.
Issue permit if permit application is approved by the Planning Board.
[Ord. No. 793]
When base flood elevation and floodway data has not been provided in accordance with subsection 14-3.2, Basis for Establishing the Areas of Special Flood Hazard, the Flood Plain 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 subsections 14-6.2.1, Specific Standards, Residential Construction, and 14-6.2.2, Specific Standards, Nonresidential Construction.
[Ord. No. 793]
a.
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, and whether or not the structure contains a basement.
c.
In Coastal A Zone areas, certification shall be obtained from a registered professional engineer or architect that the provisions of subsections 14-6.4.2 a and 14-6.4.2 b,1 and b,2 are met.
d.
Maintain for public inspection all records pertaining to the provisions
of this chapter.
[Ord. No. 793]
a.
Notify adjacent communities and the New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection, Dam Safety and Flood Control Section and the Land Use
Regulation Program prior to any alteration or relocation of a watercourse,
and submit evidence of such notification to the Federal Insurance
Administration.
b.
Require that maintenance is provided within the altered or relocated
portion of said watercourse so the flood carrying capacity is not
diminished.
[Ord. No. 793]
a.
After an event resulting in building damages, assess the damage to
structures due to flood and non-flood causes.
b.
Record and maintain the flood and non-flood damage of substantial
damage structures and provide a letter of Substantial Damage Determination
to the owner and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection,
Dam Safety and Flood Control Section.
[Ord. No. 793]
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 Section 4.4.
Duties of the Planning Board shall include, but not be limited
to:
[Ord. No. 793]
a.
Review recommendation of Flood Plain Administrator.
b.
Review all development permit applications to determine that the
permit requirements of this chapter have been satisfied.
c.
Approve or disapprove permit applications.
d.
Instruct Flood Plain Administrator to issue permits for applications
that are approved by the Planning Board.
[Ord. No. 793]
a.
The Planning Board shall hear and decide appeals and requests for
variances from the requirements of this ordinance.
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 Flood Plain Administrator in the enforcement or administration
of this chapter.
c.
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 to 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 compatibility 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 flood waters 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.
d.
Upon consideration of the factors of subsection 14-4.5.1 c 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.
e.
The Flood Plain Administrator shall maintain the records of all appeal
actions, including technical information, and report any variances
to the Federal Insurance Administration upon request.
f.
Those aggrieved by the decision of the Planning Board may appeal
such decision to Borough Council of the Borough of Hopewell within
30 days after the date of such action.
[Ord. No. 793]
a.
Generally, variances may be issued for new construction and substantial improvements to be erected on a lot of one-half acre or less in size contiguous to and surrounded by lots with existing structures constructed below the base flood level, providing items 1 — 11 in subsection 14-4.4.1 c have been fully considered. As the lot size increases beyond the one-half 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 a
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 subsection 14-4.5.1 c., 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.
[Ord. No. 793]
In all areas of special flood hazards, compliance with the applicable
requirements of the Uniform Construction Code (N.J.A.C. 5:23) and
the following standards, whichever is more restrictive, is required:
[Ord. No. 793]
a.
All new construction to be placed or substantially improved and substantial
improvements shall be anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, or
lateral movement of the structure.
b.
All manufactured homes to be placed or substantially improved 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.
[Ord. No. 793]
[Ord. No. 793]
a.
All new and replacement water supply systems shall be designed to
minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood waters into the system;
b.
New and replacement sanitary sewage systems shall be designed to
minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood waters into the systems
and discharge from the systems into flood waters;
c.
On-site waste disposal systems shall be located to avoid impairment
to them or contamination from them during flooding; and
d.
For all new construction and substantial improvements the 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.
[Ord. No. 793]
a.
All subdivision proposals and other proposed new development shall
be consistent with the need to minimize flood damage;
b.
All subdivision proposals and other proposed new development shall
have public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical,
and water systems located and constructed to minimize flood damage;
c.
All subdivision proposals and other proposed new development shall
have adequate drainage provided to reduce exposure to flood damage;
and,
d.
Base flood elevation data shall be provided for subdivision proposals
and other proposed new development which contain at least 50 lots
or five acres (whichever is less).
[Ord. No. 793]
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: A
minimum of two openings in at least two exterior walls of each enclosed
area, 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.
The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above
grade. Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, or other covering
or devices provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit
of floodwaters.
[Ord. No. 793]
[Ord. No. 793]
b.
New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure
located in an A or AE zone shall have the lowest floor, including
basement together with the attendant utilities and sanitary facilities,
elevated at or above the base flood elevation plus one foot or as
required by ASCE/SEI 24-14, Table 2-1, whichever is more restrictive.
c.
Require within any AO or AH zone on the municipality's FIRM
that all new construction and substantial improvement of any residential
structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement together
with the attendant utilities and sanitary facilities, elevated above
the depth number specified in feet plus one foot, above the highest
adjacent grade (at least three feet if no depth number is specified).
And, require adequate drainage paths around structures on slopes to
guide floodwaters around and away from proposed structures.
[Ord. No. 793]
In an Area of Special Flood Hazard, all new construction and substantial improvement of any commercial, industrial or other nonresidential structure located in an A or AE zone (for Coastal A Zone construction see subsection 14-6.4 Coastal A Zone) shall have the lowest floor, including basement together with the attendant utilities and sanitary facilities either:
a.
Elevated to or above the base flood elevation plus one foot or as
required by ASCE/SEI 24-14, Table 2-1, whichever is more restrictive;
and
b.
Require within any AO or AH zone on the municipality's DFIRM
to elevate above the depth number specified in feet plus one foot,
above the highest adjacent grade (at least three feet if no depth
number is specified). And, require adequate drainage paths around
structures on slopes to guide floodwaters around and away from proposed
structures; or
c.
Be floodproofed so that below the base flood level plus one foot
or as required by ASCE/SEI 24-14, Table 6-1, whichever is more restrictive,
the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to
the passage of water;
d.
Have structural components capable of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic
loads and effects of buoyancy; and,
e.
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 subsection 14-4.3.3 b,2.
[Ord. No. 793]
a.
Manufactured homes shall be anchored in accordance with subsection
14-6.1-1 b.
b.
All manufactured homes to be placed or substantially improved within
an area of special flood hazard shall:
1.
Be consistent with the need to minimize flood damage,
2.
Be constructed to minimize flood damage,
3.
Have adequate drainage provided to reduce exposure to flood damage;
and,
4.
Be elevated on a permanent foundation such that the top of the lowest
floor is at or above the base flood elevation plus one foot or as
required by ASCE/SEI 24-14, Table 2-1, whichever is more restrictive.
[Ord. No. 793]
Located within areas of special flood hazard established in subsection 14-3.2 are areas designated as floodways. Since the floodway is an extremely hazardous area due to the velocity of flood waters which carry debris, potential projectiles, and erosion potential, the following provisions apply:
a.
Prohibit encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial
improvements, and other development 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 accumulative
effect of 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.
[Ord. No. 793]
Coastal A Zones are located within the areas of special flood hazard established in subsection 14-3.2. These areas may be subject to wave effects, velocity flows, erosion, scour, or a combination of these forces; therefore, the following provisions shall apply:
[Ord. No. 793]
[Ord. No. 793]
a.
Elevation.
All new construction and substantial improvements shall be elevated
on piling or columns so that:
1.
The bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member of the lowest
floor (excluding the piling or columns) is elevated to or above the
base flood elevation plus one foot, or as required by ASCE/SEI 24-14,
Table 4-1, whichever is more restrictive, and,
b.
Structural Support.
1.
All new construction and substantial improvements shall be securely
anchored on piling or columns.
2.
The pile or column foundation and structure attached thereto shall
be anchored to resist flotation, collapse or lateral movement due
to the effects of wind and water loading values each of which shall
have a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year (100-year
mean recurrence interval).
3.
Prohibit the use of fill for structural support of buildings within
Coastal A Zones on the community's FIRM.
c.
Certification.
A registered professional engineer or architect shall develop or review the structural design specifications and plans for the construction and shall certify that the design and methods of construction to be used are in accordance with accepted standards of practice for compliance with the provisions of subsections 14-6.4.2 a and 14-6.4.2 b,1 and b,2.
d.
Space below the Lowest Floor.
1.
Any alteration, repair, reconstruction or improvement to a structure
started after the enactment of this ordinance shall not enclose the
space below the lowest floor unless breakaway walls, open wood lattice-work
or insect screening are used as provided for in this section.
2.
Breakaway walls, open wood lattice-work or insect screening shall
be allowed below the base flood elevation provided that they are intended
to collapse under wind and water loads without causing collapse, displacement
or other structural damage to the elevated portion of the building
or supporting foundation system. Breakaway walls shall be designed
for a safe loading resistance of not less than 10 and no more than
20 pounds per square foot. Use of breakaway walls which exceed a design
safe loading of 20 pounds per square foot (either by design or when
so required by local or State codes) may be permitted only if a registered
professional engineer or architect certifies that the designs proposed
meet the following conditions.
(a)
Breakaway wall collapse shall result from a water load less
than that which would occur during the base flood and,
(b)
The elevated portion of the building and supporting foundation
system shall not be subject to collapse, displacement or other structural
damage due to the effects of wind and water load acting simultaneously
on all building components (structural and non-structural). Water
loading values used shall be those associated with the base flood.
Wind loading values used shall be those required by applicable State
or local building standards.
3.
If breakaway walls are utilized, such enclosed space shall be used
solely for parking of vehicles, building access, or storage and not
for human habitation.
4.
Prior to construction, plans for any breakaway wall must be submitted
to the Construction Code Official or Building Sub-Code Official for
approval.
[Ord. No. 793]
Prohibit man-made alteration of sand dunes within Coastal A
Zones on the community's DFIRM which would increase potential
flood damage.
[Ord. No. 793]
If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, or
phrase of this chapter shall be declared invalid for any reason whatsoever,
such a decision shall not affect the remaining portions of the chapter,
which shall remain in full force and effect, and for this purpose
the provisions of this chapter are hereby declared to be severable.
[Ord. No. 793]
This chapter shall be effective upon publication and in accordance
with State law and shall remain in force until modified, amended or
rescinded by Borough Council of the Borough of Hopewell, Mercer County,
New Jersey.