HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 534 err
CERTIFICATION
I, Marcia McClure Torgerson, C.M.0 , City Clerk of the City of Atascadero, hereby
certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of Ordinance No 534, adopted by the
Atascadero City Council at a regular meeting thereof held on September 23, 2008, and that it has
'r been duly published pursuant to State Law
'I
DATED-
Marcia
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Marcia McClure Torgerson, C.M.0 1
City Clerk
City of Atascadero, California
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ORDINANCE NO 534
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF ATASCADERO, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING TITLE 7,
CHAPTER 11, FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION, OF THE
ATASCADERO MUNICIPAL CODE
The City Council hereby finds and declares as follows
WHEREAS, the Municipal Code Title 7 Public Works Chapter 11 Flood Damage
Prevention Ordinance was approved in 1988 and amended in 1993 and 2004 This Ordinance
was required by Federal Emergency Management Agency to allow the City of Atascadero to
participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, and,
WHEREAS, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is requiring the City of
Atascadero to amend the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance to bring it in compliance with
new Ordinance provision, and,
WHEREAS, the required changes are administrative and clarifying in nature and do not
make mayor changes to the current Ordinance, and,
WHEREAS, the City of Atascadero has initiated an update to change, clarify and modify
the provisions of the Municipal Code Title 7, Chapters 11, pertaining to flood damage
prevention.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATASCADERO
HEREBY ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS
SECTION ONE. Findings for Approval of a Flood Damage Prevention Text Change. The
City Council finds as follows
1 The Flood Damage Prevention text change is consistent with General Plan policies and
all other applicable ordinances and policies of the City
2 Amendment of the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance will provide for the orderly and
efficient use of lands where such flood damage prevention standards are applicable and
will comply with the Federal Emergency Management Agency requirements to allow the
City of Atascadero to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program.
3 The text change will not, in itself, result in significant environmental impacts.
SECTION TWO Adoption. The City Council of the City of Atascadero hereby amends Title 7,
Chapter 11 of the Municipal code as follows
Title 7, Chapter 11 is to be repealed and a new Chapter 11 is to be inserted as follows
am
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Ordinance No. 534
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rrw CHAPTER 11 FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION
7-11001 Flood damage prevention
7-11002 Statutory authorization
7-11003 Findings of fact
7-11004 Statement of purpose
7-11005 Methods of reducing flood losses
7-11006 Definitions
7-11007 Lands to which this chapter applies
7-11008 Basis for establishing the areas of special flood hazard
7-11009 Compliance
7-110 10 Abrogation and greater restrictions
7-11011 Interpretation
7-11012 Warning and disclaimer of liability
7-11013 Administration
7-11014 Severability
7-11015 Designation of the floodplain administrator
7-11016 Duties and responsibilities of the floodplain administrator
7-11017 Development permit
7-11018 Appeals
7-11019 Provisions for flood hazard reduction
7-11 020 Standards of construction
7-11021 Standards for utilities
7-11022 Standards for subdivisions and other proposed development
7-11023 Standards for manufactured homes within manufactured home parks or
subdivisions
7-11024 Standards for recreational vehicles
aw 7-11025 Floodways
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Ordinance No. 534
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7-11026 Flood-related erosion-prone areas
7-11027 Variance Procedure
7-11028 Nature of variances
7-11029 Conditions for variances
7-11030 Appeal Board
7-11.001 FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION
The ordinance codified in this chapter is enacted to protect the health, safety and welfare of the
citizens of Atascadero and their property and to meet the requirements of state and federal
legislation. These regulations take precedence over any less restrictive conflicting local laws,
ordinances and codes
7-11.02 STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION
The Legislature of the State of California has in Government Code Sections 65302, 65560, and
65800 conferred upon local governments the authority to adopt regulations designed to promote
the public health, safety, and general welfare of its citizenry Therefore, the City Council of the
City of Atascadero does hereby adopt the following floodplain management regulations
7-1:1.003 FINDINGS OF FACT
A. The flood hazard areas of the City of Atascadero 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 uses that are inadequately elevated, flood proofed, or
protected from flood damage The cumulative effect of obstructions in areas of special
flood hazards which increase flood heights and velocities also contributes to flood losses.
7-11.004 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
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 legally
enforceable regulations applied uniformly throughout the community to all publicly and
privately owned land within flood prone, mudslide [i e mudflow] or flood related erosion areas
These regulations are designed to
A. Protect human life and health,
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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, and streets and bridges located in areas of special flood
hazard,
F Help maintain a stable tax base by providing for the sound use and development of areas
of special flood hazard so as to minimize future blighted areas caused by flood damage,
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
7-11.005 ME'T'HODS OF REDUCING FLOOD LOSSES
In order to accomplish its purposes, this chapter includes methods and provisions to
A. Restrict or prohibit uses which are dangerous to health, safety, and property due to water
or erosion hazards, or which result in damaging increases in erosion or flood heights or
velocities,
B Require that uses vulnerable to floods, including facilities which serve such uses, be
protected against flood damage at the time of initial construction,
C. Control the alteration of natural floodplains, stream channels, and natural protective
barriers, which help accommodate or channel floodwaters,
D Control filling, grading, dredging, and other development which may increase flood
damage, and
E. Prevent or regulate the construction of flood barriers which will unnaturally divert
floodwaters or which may increase flood hazards in other areas
7-11..006 DEFINITIONS
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Ordinance No. 534
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,., 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 chapter it's most
reasonable application.
"A zone" - see "Special flood hazard area"
"Accessory structure"for the purposes of Chapter 7-11 means a structure that is either'
A. Solely for the parking of no more than 2 cars, or
B A small, low cost shed for limited storage, less than 150 square feet and$1,500 in value.
(Note Accessory structures, as defined in other chapters of the City of Atascadero Municipal
Code that do not comply with this definition, shall comply with Section 7-11.020 C.5 b )
"Accessory use" means a use which is incidental and subordinate to the principal use of the
parcel of land on which it is located.
"Alluvial fan" means a geomorphologic feature characterized by a cone or fan-shaped deposit of
boulders, gravel, and fine sediments that have been eroded from mountain slopes, transported by
flood flows, and then deposited on the valley floors, and which is subject to flash flooding, high
velocity flows, debris flows, erosion, sediment movement and deposition, and channel migration.
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"Apex" means a point on an alluvial fan or similar landform below which the flow path of the
mayor stream that formed the fan becomes unpredictable and alluvial fan flooding can occur
"Appeal" means a request for a review of the Floodplain Administrator's interpretation of any
provision of this chapter
"Area of shallow flooding" means a designated AO or AH Zone on the Flood Insurance Rate
Map (FIRM) The base flood depths range from one to three feet; a clearly defined channel does
not exist, the path of flooding is unpredictable and indeterminate, and velocity flow may be
evident. Such flooding is characterized by ponding or sheet flow
"Area of special flood hazard" - See "Special flood hazard area."
"Area of special flood-related erosion hazard" is the land within a community which is most
likely to be subject to severe flood-related erosion losses The area may be designated as Zone E
on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM)
"Base flood" means a flood which has a one percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any
given year (also called the "100-year flood") Base flood is the term used throughout this
chapter
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rrr "Base flood elevation' (BFE) means the elevation shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Map for
Zones AE, AH, Al-30, VE and V1-V30 that indicates the water surface elevation resulting from
a flood that has a 1-percent or greater chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year
"Basement" means any area of the building having its floor subgrade - 1 e , below ground level -
on all sides
"Building" - see "Structure"
"Development" means 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.
"Encroachment" means the advance or infringement of uses, plant growth, fill, excavation,
buildings, permanent structures or development into a floodplain which may impede or alter the
flow capacity of a floodplain.
"Existing manufactured home park or subdivision" means 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 May 9, 1989
"Expansion to an existing manufactured home park or subdivision" means the preparation of
additional sites by the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured
homes are to be affixed (including the installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and
either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads)
"Flood,flooding,or flood water" means
A. A general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land
areas from the overflow of inland or tidal waters, the unusual and rapid accumulation or
runoff of surface waters from any source, and/or mudslides (i e , mudflows), and
B The condition resulting from flood related erosion
"Flood Boundary and Floodway Map (FBFM)" means the official map on which the Federal
Emergency Management Agency or Federal Insurance Administration has delineated both the
areas of special flood hazards and the floodway
"Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM)" means the official map on which the Federal Emergency
Management Agency or Federal Insurance Administration has delineated both the areas of
special flood hazards and the risk premium zones applicable to the community
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Ordinance No. 534
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am "Flood Insurance Study" means the official report provided by the Federal Insurance
Administration that includes flood profiles, the Flood Insurance Rate Map, the Flood Boundary
and Floodway Map, and the water surface elevation of the base flood.
"Floodplain or flood-prone area" means any land area susceptible to being inundated by water
from any source - see "Flooding."
"Floodplain Administrator" is the community official designated by title to administer and
enforce the floodplain management regulations.
"Floodplain management" means the operation of an overall program of corrective and
preventive measures for reducing flood damage and preserving and enhancing, where possible,
natural resources in the floodplain. Corrective and preventative measures include and are not
limited to emergency preparedness plans, flood control works, floodplain management
regulations, and open space plans
"Floodplain management regulations" means this chapter and other zoning ordinances,
subdivision regulations, building codes, health regulations, special purpose ordinances (such as
grading and erosion control) and other application of police power which control development in
flood-prone areas This term describes federal, state or local regulations in any combination
thereof which provide standards for preventing and reducing flood loss and damage
irr "Floodproofing" means 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 For guidelines on dry and
wet floodproofing, see FEMA Technical Bulletins TB 1-93, TB 3-93, and TB 7-93
"Floodway" means 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 one foot. Also referred to as 'Regulatory Floodway "
"Flood-related erosion" means the collapse or subsidence of land along the shore of a lake or
other body of water as a result of undermining caused by waves or currents of water exceeding
anticipated cyclical level or suddenly caused by an unusually high water level in a natural body
of water, accompanied by a severe storm, or by an unanticipated force of nature, such as a flash
flood or an abnormal tidal surge, or by some similarly unusually and unforeseeable event which
results in flooding.
"Flood-related erosion area" or "Flood-related erosion prone area' means a land area
adjoining the shore of a lake or other body of water, which due to the composition of the
shoreline or bank and high water levels or wind-dnven currents, is likely to suffer flood-related
erosion damage.
"Flood-related erosion area management" means the operation of an overall program of
i"""' corrective and preventive measures for reducing flood-related erosion damage, including but not
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Ordinance No. 534
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Um limited to emergency preparedness plans, flood-related erosion control works, and floodplain
management regulations
"Floodway fringe" is that area of the floodplain on either side of the "Regulatory Floodway"
where encroachment may be permitted.
"Fraud and victimization" as related to 7-11.027 of this chapter, means that the variance
granted must not cause fraud on or victimization of the public In examining this requirement,
the City Council of the City of Atascadero will consider the fact that every newly constructed
building adds to government responsibilities and remains a part of the community for fifty to one
hundred years. Buildings that are permitted to be constructed below the base flood elevation are
subject during all those years to increased risk of damage from floods, while future owners of the
property and the community as a whole are subject to all the costs, inconvenience, danger, and
suffering that those increased flood damages bring. In addition, future owners may purchase the
property, unaware that it is subject to potential flood damage, and can be insured only at very
high flood insurance rates
"Functionally dependent use" means a use which cannot perform its intended purpose unless it
is located or carried out in close proximity to water The term includes only docking facilities,
port facilities that are necessary for the loading and unloading of cargo or passengers, and ship
building and ship repair facilities, and does not include long-term storage or related
manufacturing facilities.
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"Governing body" is the local governing unit, i e county or municipality that is empowered to
adopt and implement regulations to provide for the public health, safety and general welfare of
its citizenry
"Hardship" as related to 7-11.027 of this chapter means the exceptional hardship that would
result from a failure to grant the requested variance. The City Council of the City of Atascadero
requires that the variance be exceptional, unusual, and peculiar to the property involved. Mere
economic or financial hardship alone is not exceptional Inconvenience, aesthetic considerations,
physical handicaps, personal preferences, or the disapproval of one's neighbors likewise cannot,
as a rule, qualify as an exceptional hardship All of these problems can be resolved through
other means without granting a variance, even if the alternative is more expensive, or requires
the property owner to build elsewhere or put the parcel to a different use than originally
intended.
"Highest adjacent grade" means the highest natural elevation of the ground surface prior to
construction next to the proposed walls of a structure
"Historic structure" means any structure that is
A. Listed individually in the National Register of f istonc 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;
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B 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;
C Individually listed on a state inventory of historic places in states with historic
preservation programs which have been approved by the Secretary of Interior; or
D Individually listed on a local inventory of historic places in communities with historic
preservation programs that have been certified either by an approved state program as
determined by the Secretary of the Interior or directly by the Secretary of the Interior in
states without approved programs
"Levee" means a man-made structure, usually an earthen embankment, designed and constructed
in accordance with sound engineering practices to contain, control or divert the flow of water so
as to provide protection from temporary flooding.
"Levee system" means a flood protection system which consists of a levee, or levees, and
associated structures, such as closure and drainage devices, which are constructed and operated
in accord with sound engineering practices
"Lowest floor" means the lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area, including basement (see
"Basement" definition)
A. An unfinished or flood resistant enclosure below the lowest floor that is usable solely for
parking of vehicles, building access or storage in an area other than a basement area, is
not considered a building's lowest floor provided it conforms to applicable non-elevation
design requirements, including, but not limited to
1 The flood openings standard in Section 7-11.020.C.3,
2 The anchoring standards in Section 7-11.020.A,
3 The construction materials and methods standards in Section 7-11.020.B, and
4 The standards for utilities in Section 7-11.021
B For residential structures, all subgrade enclosed areas are prohibited as they are
considered to be basements (see "Basement" definition) This prohibition includes
below-grade garages and storage areas
"Manufactured home" means 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
err attached to the required utilities. The term "manufactured home" does not include a "recreational
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Ordinance No. 534
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vehicle" For floodplain management purposes, the term "manufactured home" also includes
park trailers, travel trailers and other similar vehicles placed on a site for greater than one
hundred eighty (180) consecutive days.
"Manufactured home park or subdivision" means a parcel (or contiguous parcels) of land
divided into two or more manufactured home lots for rent or sale
"Market value" is defined in the City of Atascadero substantial damage/improvement
procedures (see Section 7-11.016.B.1)
"Mean sea level" means, for purposes of the National Flood Insurance Program, the National
Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) of 1929, North American Vertical Datum (NAVD) of 1988,
or other datum, to which base flood elevations shown on a community's Flood Insurance Rate
Map are referenced.
"New construction", for floodplain management purposes, means structures for which the "start
of construction" commenced on or after May 9, 1989, and includes any subsequent
improvements to such structures.
"New manufactured home park or subdivision" means 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
rr.r construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads) is completed
on or after May 9, 1989
"Obstruction" includes, but is not limited to, any dam, wall, wharf, embankment, levee, dike,
pile, abutment, protection, excavation, channelization, bridge, conduit, culvert, building, wire,
fence, rock, gravel, refuse, fill, structure, vegetation or other material in, along, across or
projecting into any watercourse which may alter, impede, retard or change the direction and/or
velocity of the flow of water, or due to its location, its propensity to snare or collect debris
carried by the flow of water, or its likelihood of being carried downstream.
"One-hundred-year flood" or "100-year flood" - see "Base flood."
"Person" means an individual or his agent, firm, partnership, association or corporation, or agent
of the aforementioned groups, or this state or its agencies or political subdivisions
"Program deficiency" means a defect in a community's floodplain management regulations or
administrative procedures that impairs effective implementation of those floodplain management
regulations
"Public safety and nuisance" as related to Section 7-11.027 of this chapter, means that the
granting of a variance must not result in anything which is injurious to safety or health of an
entire community or neighborhood, or any considerable number of persons, or unlawfully
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urr obstructs the free passage or use, in the customary manner, of any navigable lake, or river, bay,
stream, canal, or basin.
"Recreational vehicle" means a vehicle which is
A. Built on a single chassis,
B 400 square feet or less when measured at the largest horizontal projection,
C Designed to be self-propelled or permanently towable by a light duty truck, and
D Designed primarily not for use as a permanent dwelling but as temporary living quarters
for recreational, camping, travel, or seasonal use
"Regulatory floodway" means 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 one foot.
"Remedy a violation" means to bring the structure or other development into compliance with
State or local floodplain management regulations, or if this is not possible, to reduce the impacts
of its noncompliance Ways that impacts may be reduced include protecting the structure or
other affected development from flood damages, implementing the enforcement provisions of the
w.r chapter or otherwise deterring future similar violations, or reducing State or Federal financial
exposure with regard to the structure or other development.
"Riverine" means relating to, formed by, or resembling a river (including tributaries), stream,
brook, etc
"Sheet flow area" - see "Area of shallow flooding."
"Special flood hazard area (SFHA)" means an area in the floodplain subject to a 1 percent or
greater chance of flooding in any given year It is shown on an FHBM or FIRM as Zone A, AO,
Al-A30, AE, A99, or, AH.
"Start of construction" includes substantial improvement and other proposed new development
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 from the date of the permit. The actual start means either the first placement of permanent
construction of a structure on a site, such as the pouring of slab or footings, the installation of
piles, the construction of columns, or any work beyond the stage of excavation, or the placement
of a manufacture 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, 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
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Ordinance No. 534
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em 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.
"Structure" means a walled and roofed building that is principally above ground, this includes a
gas or liquid storage tank or a manufactured home
"Substantial damage" means 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 percent of the
market value of the structure before the damage occurred.
"Substantial improvement" means any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other
improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50 percent 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-
A. Any project for improvement of a structure to correct existing violations or state or local
health, sanitary, or safety code specifications which have been identified by the local
code enforcement official and which are the minimum necessary to assure safe living
conditions, or
B Any alteration of a "historic structure," provided that the alteration will not preclude the
structure's continued designation as a "historic structure."
"Variance" means a grant of relief from the requirements of this chapter which permits
construction in a manner that would otherwise be prohibited by this chapter
"Violation" means the failure of a structure or other development to be fully compliant with this
chapter A structure or other development without the elevation certificate, other certifications,
or other evidence of compliance required in this chapter is presumed to be in violation until such
time as that documentation is provided.
"Water surface elevation" means the height, in relation to the National Geodetic Vertical
Datum (NGVD) of 1929, North American Vertical Datum (NAVD) of 1988, or other datum, of
floods of various magnitudes and frequencies in the floodplains of coastal or riverme areas.
"Watercourse" means a lake, river, creek, stream, wash, arroyo, channel or other topographic
feature on or over which waters flow at least periodically Watercourse includes specifically
designated areas in which substantial flood damage may occur
7-11.007 LANDS TO WHICH THIS CHAPTER APPLIES
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vow This chapter shall apply to all areas of special flood hazards within the jurisdiction of the City of
Atascadero
7-11.008 BASIS FOR ESTABLISHING THE ARIAS OF SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD
The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) in the "Flood Insurance Study (FIS) for the City of Atascadero" dated July 20, 1981,
with accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM'S) and Flood Boundary and Floodway
Maps (FBFM's), dated January 20, 1982, and all subsequent amendments and/or revisions, are
hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this chapter This FIS and attendant
mapping is the minimum area of applicability of this chapter and may be supplemented by
studies for other areas which allow implementation of this chapter and which are recommended
to the City Council of the City of Atascadero by the Floodplain Administrator The study,
FIRM'S and FBFM's are on file at the Department of Public Works, 6907 EI Camino Real,
Atascadero, CA 93422.
7-11.009 COMPLIANCE
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. Violation of the
requirements (including violations of conditions and safeguards) shall constitute a misdemeanor
Nothing herein shall prevent the City Council of the City of Atascadero from taking such lawful
•+ action as is necessary to prevent or remedy any violation.
7-11.010 ABROGA'T'ION AND GREATER REST'RIC'T"IONS
This chapter is not intended to repeal, abrogate, or impair any existing easements, covenants, or
deed restrictions. However, where this chapter and another chapter, easement, covenant, or deed
restriction conflict or overlap, whichever imposes the more stringent restrictions shall prevail.
7-11.011 INTERPRE'T'ATION
In the interpretation and application of this ordinance, all provisions shall be
A. Considered as minimum requirements,
B Liberally construed in favor of the governing body; and
C Deemed neither to limit nor repeal any other powers granted under state statutes
7-11.012 WARNING AND DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY
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 areas of special flood hazards or uses permitted within such areas
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will be free from flooding or flood damages. This chapter shall not create liability on the part of the
City Council of the City of Atascadero, any officer or employee thereof, the State of California, or
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, for any flood damages that result from reliance on this
chapter or any administrative decision lawfully made hereunder
7-11.013 ADMINISTRATION
Administration of this chapter is vested with the City Manager or his designee The City
Manager shall designate his representative in writing.
7-11.014 SEVERABILITY
This chapter and the various parts thereof are hereby declared to be severable Should any section of
this chapter be declared by the courts to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall not affect
the validity of the chapter as a whole, or any portion thereof other than the section so declared to be
unconstitutional or invalid.
7-11.015 DESIGNATION OF THE FLOODPLAIN ADMINIS'T'RATOR
The City Manager or his duly authorized designee is hereby appointed to administer, implement,
and enforce this chapter by granting or denying development permits in accord with its
provisions
7-11.016 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE FLOODPLAIN
ADMINISTRATOR
The duties and responsibilities of the Floodplain Administrator shall include, but not be limited
to the following:
A. Permit Review
Review all development permits to determine
1 Permit requirements of this chapter have been satisfied, including determination of
substantial improvement and substantial damage of existing structures,
2. All other required state and federal permits have been obtained,
3 The site is reasonably safe from flooding;
4 The proposed development does not adversely affect the carrying capacity of areas
where base flood elevations have been determined but a floodway has not been
designated. This means that the cumulative effect of the proposed development when
;,,m combined with all other existing and anticipated development will not increase the
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water surface elevation of the base flood more than 1 foot at any point within the City
of Atascadero, and
5 All Letters of Map Revision (LOMR's) for flood control projects are approved prior
to the issuance of building permits Building Permits must not be issued based on
Conditional Letters of Map Revision (CLOMR's) Approved CLOMR's allow
construction of the proposed flood control project and land preparation as specified in
the "start of construction" definition. Projects that have been issued building permits,
and are under construction, prior to adoption of this revision of Chapter 11 are
exempt from this provision
B. Development of Substantial Improvement and Substantial Damage Procedures.
1 Using FEMA publication FEMA 213, "Answers to Questions About Substantially
Damaged Buildings," develop detailed procedures for identifying and administering
requirements for substantial improvement and substantial damage, to include defining
"Market Value "
2. Assure procedures are coordinated with other departments/divisions and implemented
by community staff
C. Review, Use and Development of Other Base Flood Data.
When base flood elevation data has not been provided in accordance with Section 7-
11.008, the Floodplain Administrator shall obtain, review, and reasonably utilize any
base flood elevation and floodway data available from a federal or state agency, or other
source, in order to administer Section 7-11.016
NOTE. A base flood elevation may be obtained using one of two methods from the
FEMA publication, FEMA 265, "Managing Floodplain Development in Approximate
Zone A Areas — A Guide for Obtaining and Developing Base (100-year) Flood
Elevations" dated July 1995
D Notification of Other Agencies.
1 Alteration or relocation of a watercourse
a. Notify adjacent communities and the California Department of Water Resources
prior to alteration or relocation,
b Submit evidence of such notification to the Federal Emergency Management
Agency; and
c Assure that the flood carrying capacity within the altered or relocated portion of
said watercourse is maintained.
City of Atascadero
Ordinance No. 534
Page 16 of 29
low
2. Base Flood Elevation changes due to physical alterations
a. Within 6 months of information becoming available or project completion,
whichever comes first, the floodplain administrator shall submit or assure that the
permit applicant submits technical or scientific data to FEMA for a Letter of Map
Revision (LOMR)
b All LOMR's for flood control projects are approved prior to the issuance of
building permits. Building Permits shall not be issued based on Conditional
Letters of Map Revision (CLOMR's) Approved CLOMR's allow construction of
the proposed flood control project and land preparation as specified in the "start
of construction" definition Projects that have been issued building permits prior
to adoption of Chapter 11 are exempt from this provision.
Such submissions are necessary so that upon confirmation of those physical changes
affecting flooding conditions, risk premium rates and floodplain management
requirements are based on current data.
3 Changes in corporate boundaries
Notify FEMA in writing whenever the corporate boundaries have been modified by
• annexation or other means and include a copy of a map of the community clearly
delineating the new corporate limits
E. Documentation of Floodplain Development.
Obtain and maintain for public inspection and make available as needed the following-
1 Certification required by Section 7-11.020.C.1 and Section 7-11.023 (lowest floor
elevations),
2. Certification required by Section 7-11.020.C.2 (elevation or floodproofing of
nonresidential structures),
3 Certification required by Sections 7-11.020.C.3 (wet floodproofing standard),
4 Certification of elevation required by Section 7-11.022.A.3 (subdivisions and other
proposed development standards),
5 Certification required by Section 7-11.025 (floodway encroachments), and
6 Maintain a record of all variance actions, including Justification for their issuance,
and report such variances issued in its biennial report submitted to the Federal
rr. Emergency Management Agency
City of Atascadero
Ordinance No. 534
Page 17 of 29
F Map Determination.
Make interpretations where needed, as to the exact location of the boundaries of the areas
of special flood hazard, 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 7-
11.018
G Remedial Action.
Take action to remedy violations of this chapter as specified in 7-11.009
H. Biennial Report.
Complete and submit Biennial Report to FEMA.
I. Planning.
Assure community's General Plan is consistent with floodplain management objectives
herein.
7-11017 DEVELOPMENT PERMIT
1101" A development permit shall be obtained before any construction or other development,
including manufactured homes, within any area of special flood hazard established in
Section 7-11.008 Application for a development permit shall be made on forms furnished
by the City of Atascadero The applicant shall provide the following minimum information.
A. Plans, drawn to scale, showing:
1 Location, dimensions, and elevation of the area in question, existing or proposed
structures, storage of materials and equipment and their location,
2 Proposed locations of water supply, sanitary sewer, and other utilities,
3 Grading information showing existing and proposed contours, any proposed fill, and
drainage facilities,
4 Location of the regulatory floodway when applicable,
5 Base flood elevation information as specified in Section 7-11.008 or Section 7-
11.016.C,
6 Proposed elevation in relation to mean sea level, of the lowest floor (including
basement) of all structures, and
7 Proposed elevation in relation to mean sea level to which any nonresidential structure
will be floodproofed, as required in Section 7-11.020.C.2 of this chapter and detailed
am in FEMA Technical Bulletin TB 3-93
City of Atascadero
Ordinance No. 534
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B. Certification from a registered civil engineer or architect that the nonresidential
floodproofed building meets the floodproofing criteria in Section 7-11.020.C.2
C. For a crawl-space foundation, location and total net area of foundation openings as
required in Section 7-11.020.C.3 of this chapter and detailed in FEMA Technical
Bulletins 1-93 and 7-93
D Description of the extent to which any watercourse will be altered or relocated as a result
of proposed development.
E. All appropriate certifications listed in Section 7-11.016.E of this chapter
7-11.018 APPEALS
The City Council of the City of Atascadero shall hear and decide appeals when it is alleged
there is an error in any requirement, decision, or determination made by the Floodplain
Administrator in the enforcement or administration of this chapter
7-11.019 PROVISIONS FOR FLOOD HAZARD REDUCTION
Sections 7-11020 through 7-11024 are for the reduction of flood hazards
7-11.020 STANDARDS OF CONSTRUCTION
In all areas of special flood hazards the following standards are required.
A. Anchoring
All new construction and substantial improvements of structures, including manufactured
homes, shall be adequately anchored to prevent flotation, collapse or lateral movement of
the structure resulting from hydrodynamic and hydrostatic loads, including the effects of
buoyancy
B. Construction Materials and Methods
All new construction and substantial improvements of structures, including manufactured
homes, shall be constructed.
1 With flood resistant materials, and utility equipment resistant to flood damage for
areas below the base flood elevation,
City of Atascadero
Ordinance No. 534
Page 19 of 29
2. Using methods and practices that minimize flood damage,
3 With electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing and air conditioning equipment and
other service facilities that are designed and/or located so as to prevent water from
entering or accumulating within the components during conditions of flooding; and
4 Within Zones AH or AO, so that there are adequate drainage paths around structures
on slopes to guide flood waters around and away from proposed structures
C. Elevation and Floodproofin�
1 Residential construction
All new construction or substantial improvements of residential structures shall have
the lowest floor, including basement.
a. In AE, AH, Al-30 Zones, elevated to or above the base flood elevation
b In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height equal to or
exceeding the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least 2
feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified.
am c In an A zone, without BFE's specified on the FIRM [unnumbered A zone],
elevated to or above the base flood elevation, as determined under Section 7-
11.016C
Upon the completion of the structure, the elevation of the lowest floor, including
basement, shall be certified by a registered civil engineer or licensed land surveyor,
and verified by the community building inspector to be properly elevated. Such
certification and verification shall be provided to the Floodplain Administrator
2 Nonresidential construction
All new construction or substantial improvements of nonresidential structures shall
either be elevated to conform with Section 7-11.020.C.1 or-
a. Be floodproofed, together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, below the
elevation recommended under Section 7-11.020.C.1, so that the structure is
watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water;
b Have structural components capable of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic
loads and effects of buoyancy; and
c Be certified by a registered civil engineer or architect that the standards of
am Section 7-11.0210 C.2.a & b are satisfied. Such certification shall be provided to
City of Atascadero
Ordinance No. 534
Page 20 of 29
the Floodplain Administrator
3 Flood openings
All new construction and substantial improvements of structures with fully enclosed
areas below the lowest floor (excluding basements) that are usable solely for parking
of vehicles, building access or storage, 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 floodwater Designs for meeting this requirement
must meet the following minimum criteria.
a. For non-engineered openings
1 Have a minimum of two openings on different sides having a total net area of
not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed area subject to
flooding;
2 The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above grade,
3 Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, valves or other coverings or
devices provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwater;
and
i..r
4 Buildings with more than one enclosed area must have openings on exterior
walls for each area to allow flood water to directly enter; or
b Be certified by a registered civil engineer or architect.
4. Manufactured homes
a. Manufactured homes located outside of manufactured home parks or subdivisions
shall meet the elevation and floodproofing requirement in Section 7-11.020.C.
b Manufactured homes placed within manufactured home parks or subdivisions
shall meet the standards in Section 7-11.023 Additional guidance may be found
in FEMA Technical Bulletins TB 1-93 and TB 7-93
5. Garages and low cost accessory structures
a. Attached garages
1 A garage attached to a residential structure, constructed with the garage floor
slab below the BFE, must be designed to allow for the automatic entry of
flood waters See Section 7-11.020.C.3 Areas of the garage below the BFE
am must be constructed with flood resistant materials See Section 7-11.020.B
City of Atascadero
Ordinance No. 534
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2 A garage attached to a nonresidential structure must meet the above
requirements or be dry floodproofed. For guidance on below grade parking
areas, see FEMA Technical Bulletin TB-6
b Detached garages and accessory structures.
1 "Accessory structures" used solely for parking (2 car detached garages or
smaller) or limited storage (small, low-cost sheds), as defined in Section 7-
11.006, may be constructed such that its floor is below the base flood
elevation (BFE), provided the structure is designed and constructed in
accordance with the following requirements
i Use of the accessory structure must be limited to parking or limited
storage
ii The portions of the accessory structure located below the BFE must be
built using flood-resistant materials
ill The accessory structure must be adequately anchored to prevent flotation,
collapse and lateral movement
err iv Any mechanical and utility equipment in the accessory structure must be
elevated or floodproofed to or above the BFE
v The accessory structure must comply with floodplain encroachment
provisions in Section 7-11.025
vi The accessory structure must be designed to allow for the automatic entry
of flood waters in accordance with Section 7-11.020.C.3
2. Detached garages and accessory structures not meeting the above standards
must be constructed in accordance with all applicable standards in Section 7-
11.020
6 Crawl Space Construction
This sub-section applies to buildings with crawl spaces up to 2 feet below grade.
Below-grade crawl space construction in accordance with the requirements listed
below will not be considered basements
a. The building must be designed and adequately anchored to resist flotation,
collapse, and lateral movement of the structure resulting from hydrodynamic
and hydrostatic loads, including the effects of buoyancy Crawl space
construction is not allowed in areas with flood velocities greater than 5 feet
aw per second unless the design is reviewed by a qualified design professional,
City of Atascadero
Ordinance No. 534
Page 22 of 29
such as a registered architect or professional engineer;
b The crawl space is an enclosed area below the BFE and, as such, must have
openings that equalize hydrostatic pressures by allowing for the automatic
entry and exit of floodwaters. For guidance on flood openings, see FEMA
Technical Bulletin 1-93,
c Crawl space construction is not permitted in V zones Open pile or column
foundations that withstand storm surge and wave forces are required in V
zones,
d. Portions of the building below the BFE must be constructed with materials
resistant to flood damage This includes not only the foundation walls of the
crawl space used to elevate the building, but also any foists, insulation, or
other materials that extend below the BFE, and
e Any building utility systems within the crawl space must be elevated above
BFE or designed so that floodwaters cannot enter or accumulate within the
system components during flood conditions
f Requirements for all below-grade crawl space construction, in addition to the
above requirements, to include the following:
owrr
1 The interior grade of a crawl space below the BFE must not be more than 2
feet below the lowest adjacent exterior grade (LAG), shown as D in figure 3
of Technical Bulletin 11-01,
2 The height of the below-grade crawl space, measured from the interior grade
of the crawl space to the top of the crawl space foundation wall must not
exceed 4 feet (shown as L in figure 3 of Technical Bulletin 11-01) at any
point,
3 There must be an adequate drainage system that removes floodwaters from the
interior area of the crawl space within a reasonable period of time after a flood
event, not to exceed 72 hours, and
4 The velocity of floodwaters at the site should not exceed 5 feet per second for
any crawl space For velocities in excess of 5 feet per second, other
foundation types should be used.
7-11.021 STANDARDS FOR UTILITIES
A. All new and replacement water supply and sanitary sewage systems shall be designed to
minimize or eliminate
City of Atascadero
Ordinance No. 534
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1 Infiltration of flood waters into the systems, and
2 Discharge from the systems into flood waters.
B. On-site waste disposal systems shall be located to avoid impairment to them, or
contamination from them during flooding.
7-11.022 STANDARDS FOR SUBDIVISIONS AND OTHER PROPOSED
DEVELOPMENT
A. All new subdivisions proposals and other proposed development, including proposals for
manufactured home parks and subdivisions, greater than 50 lots or 5 acres, whichever is
the lesser, shall
1 Identify the Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) and Base Flood Elevations (BFE)
2. Identify the elevations of lowest floors of all proposed structures and pads on the final
plans.
3 If the site is filled above the base flood elevation, the following as-built information
+wr for each structure shall be certified by a registered civil engineer or licensed land
surveyor and provided as part of an application for a Letter of Map Revision based on
Fill (LOMR-F) to the Floodplain Administrator,
a. Lowest floor elevation.
b Pad elevation.
c Lowest adjacent grade
B. All subdivision proposals and other proposed development shall be consistent with the
need to minimize flood damage
C. All subdivision proposals and other proposed development shall have public utilities and
facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical and water systems located and constructed to
minimize flood damage.
D All subdivisions and other proposed development shall provide adequate drainage to
reduce exposure to flood hazards
7-11.023 STANDARDS FOR MANUFACTURED HOMES WITHIN MANUFACTURED
ter. HOME PARKS OR SUBDIVISIONS
City of Atascadero
Ordinance No. 534
Page 24 of 29
All manufactured homes in special flood hazard areas shall meet the anchoring standards in
Section 7-11.020.A, construction materials and methods requirements in Sections 7-11.020.13,
flood openings requirements in 7-11.020.C.3, and garages and low cost accessory structure
standards in 7-11.020.C.5
Note. Manufactured homes located outside of manufactured home parks or subdivisions shall
meet the elevation and flood proofing requirement in Section 7-11.020.0
A. All manufactured homes that are placed or substantially improved, on sites located. (1) in
a new manufactured home park or subdivision, (2) in an expansion to an existing
manufactured home park or subdivision, (3) or in an existing manufactured home park or
subdivision on a site upon which a manufactured home has incurred "substantial damage"
as the result of a flood shall
1 Within Zones Al-30, AH, and AE on the community's Flood Insurance Rate Map, be
elevated on a permanent foundation such that the lowest floor of the manufactured
home is elevated to or above the base flood elevation and be securely fastened to an
adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation, collapse, and lateral
movement.
B. All manufactured homes to be placed or substantially improved on sites in an existing
manufactured home park or subdivision within Zones Al-30, AH, and AE on the
community's Flood Insurance Rate Map that are not subject to the provisions of Section
7-11.023.A will be securely fastened to an adequately anchored foundation system to
resist flotation, collapse, and lateral movement, and be elevated so that either the
1 Lowest floor of the manufactured home is at or above the base flood elevation, or
2. Manufactured home chassis is supported by reinforced piers or other foundation
elements of at least equivalent strength that are no less than 36 inches in height above
grade
Upon the completion of the structure, the elevation of the lowest floor including basement shall
be certified by a registered civil engineer or licensed land surveyor, and verified by the
community building inspector to be properly elevated. Such certification and verification shall
be provided to the Floodplain Administrator
7-11.024 STANDARDS FOR RECREATIONAL VEHICLES
A. All recreational vehicles placed in Zones Al-30, AH, and AE will either-
1 Be on the site for fewer than 180 consecutive days, or
City of Atascadero
Ordinance No. 534
Page 25 of 29
No 2. Be fully licensed and ready for highway use. A recreational vehicle is ready for
highway use if it is on its wheels or hacking system, is attached to the site only by
quick disconnect type utilities and security devices, and has no permanently attached
additions, or
3 Meet the permit requirements of Section 7-11.017 of this chapter and the elevation
and anchoring requirements for manufactured homes in Section 7-11.023.A.
7-11.025 FLOODW 1YS
Since floodways are an extremely hazardous area due to the velocity of flood waters which carry
debris, potential projectiles, and erosion potential, the following provisions apply-
A. Until a regulatory floodway is adopted, no new construction, substantial development, or
other development (including fill) shall be permitted within Zones Al-30 and AE, unless
it is demonstrated that the cumulative effect of the proposed development, when
combined with all other development, will not increase the water surface elevation of the
base flood more than 1 foot at any point within the City of Atascadero
B. Within an adopted regulatory floodway, the City of Atascadero shall prohibit
encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements, and other
um development, unless certification by a registered civil engineer is provided demonstrating
that the proposed encroachment shall not result in any increase in flood levels during the
occurrence of the base flood discharge.
C. If Sections 7-11.025.A & B are satisfied, all new construction, substantial improvement,
and other proposed new development shall comply with all other applicable flood hazard
reduction provisions of Section 7-11.019
7-11.026 FLOOD-RELATED EROSION-PRONE AREA
A. The Floodplain Administrator shall require permits for proposed construction and other
development within all flood-related erosion-prone areas known to the community
B. Permit applications shall be reviewed to determine whether the proposed site alterations
and improvements will be reasonably safe from flood-related erosion, and will not cause
flood-related erosion hazards or otherwise aggravate the existing hazard.
C. If a proposed improvement is found to be in the path of flood-related erosion or would
increase the erosion hazard, such improvement shall be relocated or adequate protective
measures shall be taken to avoid aggravating the existing erosion hazard.
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City of Atascadero
Ordinance No. 534
Page 26 of 29
D Within Zone E on the Flood Insurance Rate Map, a setback is required for all new
development from the ocean, lake, bay, riverfront or other body of water to create a
safety buffer consisting of a natural vegetative or contour strip This buffer shall be
designated according to the flood-related erosion hazard and erosion rate, in relation to
the anticipated "useful life' of structures, and depending upon the geologic, hydrologic,
topographic, and climatic characteristics of the land. The buffer may be used for suitable
open space purposes, such as for agricultural, forestry, outdoor recreation and wildlife
habitat areas, and for other activities using temporary and portable structures only
7-11.027 VARIANCE PROCEDURE
The following sections shall govern the processing of appeals and modification of standards
7-11.028 NATURE OF VARIANCES
The issuance of a variance is for floodplain management purposes only Insurance premium
rates are determined by statute according to actuarial risk and will not be modified by the
granting of a variance
The variance criteria set forth in this section of the chapter are based on the general principle of
zoning law that variances pertain to a piece of property and are not personal in nature A
Now variance may be granted for a parcel of property with physical characteristics so unusual that
complying with the requirements of this chapter would create an exceptional hardship to the
applicant or the surrounding property owners. The characteristics must be unique to the property
and not be shared by adjacent parcels. The unique characteristic must pertain to the land itself,
not to the structure, its inhabitants, or the property owners.
It is the duty of the City Council of the City of Atascadero to help protect its citizens from
flooding. This need is so compelling and the implications of the cost of insuring a structure built
below flood level are so serious that variances from the flood elevation or from other
requirements in the flood ordinance are quite rare The long term goal of preventing and
reducing flood loss and damage can only be met if variances are strictly limited. Therefore, the
variance guidelines provided in this chapter are more detailed and contain multiple provisions
that must be met before a variance can be properly granted. The criteria are designed to screen
out those situations in which alternatives other than a variance are more appropriate.
7-11.029 CONDITIONS FOR VARIANCES
A. Generally, variances may be issued for new construction, substantial improvement, and
other proposed new development 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 that the procedures of Sections 7-11.013 and 7.11.018 of this
am chapter have been fully considered. As the lot size increases beyond one-half acre, the
City of Atascadero
Ordinance No. 534
Page 27 of 29
.. technical justification required for issuing the variance increases
B. Variances may be issued for the repair or rehabilitation of "historic structures" (as
defined in Section 7-11.006 of this chapter) 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 mapped regulatory 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 "Minimum necessary" means to
afford relief with a minimum of deviation from the requirements of this chapter For
example, in the case of variances to an elevation requirement, this means the City
Council of the City of Atascadero need not grant permission for the applicant to build at
grade, or even to whatever elevation the applicant proposes, but only to that elevation
which the City Council of the City of Atascadero believes will both provide relief and
preserve the integrity of the local ordinance
E. Any applicant to whom a variance is granted shall be given written notice over the
signature of a community official that:
1 The issuance of a variance to construct a structure below the base flood level will
result in increased premium rates for flood insurance up to amounts as high as $25 for
$100 of insurance coverage, and
2 Such construction below the base flood level increases risks to life and property It is
recommended that a copy of the notice shall be recorded by the Floodplain
Administrator in the Office of the San Luis Obispo County Recorder and shall be
recorded in a manner so that it appears in the chain of title of the affected parcel of
land.
F The Floodplain Administrator will maintain a record of all variance actions, including
justification for their issuance, and report such variances issued in its biennial report
submitted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency
7-11.030 APPEAL BOARD
A. In passing upon requests for variances, the City Council of the City of Atascadero shall
consider all technical evaluations, all relevant factors, standards specified in other
sections of this chapter, and the
1 Danger that materials may be swept onto other lands to the injury of others,
City of Atascadero
Ordinance No. 534
Page 28 of 29
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2. Danger of life and property due to flooding or erosion damage,
3 Susceptibility of the proposed facility and its contents to flood damage and the effect
of such damage on the existing individual owner and future owners of the property;
4 Importance of the services provided by the proposed facility to the community;
5 Necessity to the facility of a waterfront location, where applicable,
6 Availability of alternative locations for the proposed use which are not subject to
flooding or erosion damage,
7 Compatibility of the proposed use with existing and anticipated development,
8 Relationship of the proposed use to the comprehensive plan and floodplain
management program for that area,
9 Safety of access to the property in time of flood for ordinary and emergency vehicles,
10 Expected heights, velocity, duration, rate of rise, and sediment transport of the flood
waters expected at the site, and
11 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 system, and streets and bridges.
B. Variances shall only be issued upon a.
1 Showing of good and sufficient cause,
2. Determination that failure to grant the variance would result in exceptional
"hardship" to the applicant; and
3 Determination that the granting of a variance will not result in increased flood
heights, additional threats to public safety, or extraordinary public expense, create a
nuisance (see "Public safety and nuisance"), cause "fraud and victimization" of
the public, or conflict with existing local laws or ordinances.
C. Variances may be issued for new construction, substantial improvement, and other
proposed new development necessary for the conduct of a functionally dependent use
provided that the provisions of Sections 7-11.029.A through 7-11.029.1) are satisfied
and that the structure or other development is protected by methods that minimize flood
damages during the base flood and does not result in additional threats to public safety
+��+ and does not create a public nuisance
City of Atascadero
Ordinance No. 534
Page 29 of 29
err
D Upon consideration of the factors of Section 7-11.029.A and the purposes of this chapter,
the City Council of the City of Atascadero may attach such conditions to the granting of
variances as it deems necessary to further the purposes of this chapter
E. The Atascadero City Council may, at its sole discretion, hire outside experts including
but not limited to engineers and attorneys for appeal review and technical advice. The
applicant shall reimburse the City of Atascadero for the actual cost of any outside
expert(s) hired to advise City Council.
SECTION THREE A summary of this ordinance, approved by the City Attorney, together with
the ayes and noes, shall be published twice at least five days prior to its final passage in the
Atascadero News, a newspaper published and circulated in the City of Atascadero, and, before
the expiration of fifteen (15) days after its final passage, in the Atascadero News, a newspaper
published and circulated in the City of Atascadero A copy of the full text of this ordinance shall
be on file in the City Clerk's Office on and after the date following introduction and passage and
shall be available to any interested member of the public
INTRODUCED at a regular meeting of the City Council held on September 9, 2008, and
PASSED and ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Atascadero, State of California, on
September 23, 2008, by the following roll call vote
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AYES Council Members Beraud, Clay, Luna, O'Malley and Mayor Brennler
NOES None
ABSTAIN None
ABSENT None
ATTEST CITY QF CAD RO
Marcia McClure Torgerson, C.M.C� i Brennler, Mayor
City Clerk
APPROVED AS/TQ FORM.
Brian Pienk, City Attorney
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