2013-0227
INTRODUCED BY: V.J. ST. PIERRE, JR., PARISH PRESIDENT
(DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND ZONING)
PAUL J. HOGAN, PE, COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT IV
ORDINANCE NO. _________
Title
An ordinance to amend the St. Charles Parish Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, Section XX.C.2, to utilize the Preliminary Digital Flood Insurance Rates Maps (DFIRMs) in determining the minimum building elevations and removing the locally established BFE for A99 Flood Zones.
Body
WHEREAS, St. Charles Parish has received Preliminary Digital Flood Insurance Rates Maps (DFIRMs)from the Federal Emergency Management Agency dated as Revised Preliminary November 9, 2012; and,
WHEREAS, St. Charles Parish wishes to enact and enforce regulations to promote flood safe construction; and,
WHEREAS, the DFIRMS represent the best available data on elevation requirements; and,
WHEREAS, the process of analyzing and adopting the DFIRMs will take some time, and citizens should be protected from flooding and from future insurance premiums adjustments based on map changes.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE ST. CHARLES PARISH COUNCIL HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION I. That Section XX.C.2 of the St. Charles Parish Zoning Ordinance is amended as follows:
2. Basis for Establishing the Areas of Special Flood Hazard. The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in a scientific and engineering report entitled, "The Flood Insurance Study for the Parish of St. Charles," stamped preliminary June 27, 1991, and any revisions thereto, with accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Maps is hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this Ordinance. The Flood Insurance Study is on file at the St. Charles Parish Courthouse, River Road, Hahnville, Louisiana. In addition, the Advisory Base Flood Elevations (ABFE) as described in the "Recovery Guidance" released on November 2005 (outside the levee East Bank) and April 2006 (inside the levee East Bank) and the "Flood Recovery Guidance for St. Charles Parish" dated November 2005 (West Bank) and their associated maps (.pdf and GIS formats) will take precedent over the existing FIRMS and local Flood Plan Ordinances for the purpose of determining minimum building elevations, the Preliminary Digital Flood Insurance Rates Maps (DFIRM) referred to in "The Flood Insurance Study for the Parish of St. Charles," stamped Revised Preliminary November 9, 2012, shall take precedent over the effective FIRMS where they are more restrictive.
SECTION II. That the St. Charles Parish Code of Ordinances, Section XX.E.2 be modified to read as follows:
"2. Specific Standards: In all areas designated as "X" Zones on the Federal Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for St. Charles Parish, all buildings or structures shall be elevated so that the lowest portion of the structural members of the lowest floor are located at least twelve (12) inches above the center line of the nearest street right-of-way. In all areas designated as "A99" Zones on the Federal Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for St. Charles Parish, all buildings or structures shall be elevated to the elevation of +4.6 feet above sea level (N.G.V.D. 1929) or located at least twelve (12) inches above the center line of the nearest street right-of-way which ever is greater. In all areas of special flood hazard where base flood elevations have been provided as set forth in section C.2. or in section D.4.h. the following standards are required:
Vote
The foregoing ordinance having been submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was as follows:
And the ordinance was declared adopted this day of , 2013, to become effective five (5) days after publication in the Official Journal.
CHAIRMAN:_________________________________________
SECRETARY:________________________________________
DLVD/PARISH PRESIDENT:____________________________
APPROVED:______________ DISAPPROVED:_____________
PARISH PRESIDENT:_________________________________
RETD/SECRETARY:__________________________________
AT:_______________ RECD BY: ________________________