The following minimum standards shall apply for all construction
and development proposed within any identified floodplain area:
A. Fill. If fill is used, it shall:
(1) Extend laterally at least 15 feet beyond the building line from all
points.
(2) Consist of soil or small rock materials only. Sanitary landfills
shall not be permitted.
(3) Be compacted to provide the necessary permeability and resistance
to erosion, scouring or settling.
(4) Be no steeper than one vertical to two horizontal feet unless substantiated
data justifying steeper slopes is submitted to and approved by the
Borough Code Official.
(5) Be used to the extent to which it does not adversely affect adjacent
properties.
B. Drainage facilities. Storm drainage facilities shall be designed
to convey the flow of stormwater runoff in a safe and efficient manner.
The system shall ensure proper drainage along streets and provide
positive drainage away from buildings. The system shall also be designed
to prevent the discharge of excess runoff onto adjacent properties.
C. Water and sanitary sewer facilities and systems.
(1) All new or replacement water and sanitary sewer facilities and systems
shall be located, designed and constructed to minimize or eliminate
flood damages and the infiltration of floodwaters.
(2) Sanitary sewer facilities and systems shall be designed to prevent
the discharge of untreated sewage into floodwaters.
(3) No part of any on-site sewage system shall be located within any
identified floodplain area except in strict compliance with all state
and local regulations for such systems. If any such system is permitted,
it shall be located so as to avoid impairment to it, or contamination
from it, during a flood.
D. Other utilities. All other utilities such as gas lines, electrical
and telephone systems shall be located, elevated (where possible)
and constructed to minimize the chance of impairment during a flood.
E. Streets. The finished elevation of all new streets shall be no more
than one foot below the regulatory flood elevation.
F. Storage. All materials that are buoyant, flammable or explosive or,
in times of flooding, could be injurious to human, animal or plant
life and not listed in § 61-26, Development which may endanger
human life, shall be stored at or above the regulatory flood elevation
and/or floodproofed to the maximum extent possible.
G. Placement of buildings and structures. All buildings and structures
shall be designed, located and constructed so as to offer the minimum
obstruction to the flow of water and shall be designed to have a minimum
effect upon the flow and height of floodwater.
H. Anchoring.
(1) All buildings and structures shall be firmly anchored in accordance
with accepted engineering practices to prevent flotation, collapse
or lateral movement.
(2) All air ducts, large pipes, storage tanks and other similar objects
or components located below the regulatory flood elevation shall be
securely anchored or affixed to prevent flotation.
I. Floors, walls and ceilings.
(1) Wood flooring used at or below the regulatory flood elevation shall
be installed to accommodate a lateral expansion of the flooring, perpendicular
to the flooring grain, without causing structural damage to the building.
(2) Plywood used at or below the regulatory flood elevation shall be
of a marine or water-resistant variety.
(3) Walls and ceilings at or below the regulatory flood elevation shall
be designed and constructed of materials that are water-resistant
and will withstand inundation.
(4) Windows, doors and other components at or below the regulatory flood
elevation shall be made of metal or other water-resistant material.
J. Paints and adhesives.
(1) Paints and other finishes used at or below the regulatory flood elevation
shall be of marine or water-resistant quality.
(2) Adhesives used at or below the regulatory flood elevation shall be
of a marine or water-resistant variety.
(3) All wooden components (doors, trim, cabinets, etc.) shall be finished
with a marine or water-resistant paint or other finishing material.
K. Electrical components.
(1) Electrical distribution panels shall be at least three feet above
the one-hundred-year-flood elevation.
(2) Separate electrical circuits shall serve lower levels and shall be
dropped from above.
L. Equipment. Water heaters, furnaces, air-conditioning and ventilating
units and other electrical, mechanical or utility equipment or apparatus
shall not be located below the regulatory flood elevation.
M. Fuel supply systems. All gas and oil supply systems shall be designed
to prevent the infiltration of floodwaters into the system and discharges
from the system into floodwaters. Additional provisions shall be made
for the drainage of these systems in the event that floodwater infiltration
occurs.
In accordance with the administrative regulations promulgated
by the Department of Community Affairs to implement the Pennsylvania
Flood Plain Management Act, the following activities shall be prohibited within any
identified floodplain area unless a special permit has been issued
by the Borough of Lehighton.
A. The commencement of any of the following activities or the construction,
enlargement or expansion of any structure used, or intended to be
used, for any of the following activities:
B. The commencement of or any construction of a new manufactured home
park or manufactured home subdivision or substantial improvement to
an existing manufactured home park or manufactured home subdivision.
The provisions of this chapter do not require any changes or improvements to be made to lawfully existing structures. However, when an improvement is made to any existing structure, the provisions of §
63-30 shall apply.
The following provisions shall apply whenever any improvement
is made to an existing structure located within any identified floodplain
area:
A. No expansion or enlargement of an existing structure shall be allowed
within any floodway area that would cause any increase in the elevation
of the one-hundred-year flood.
B. Any modification, alteration, reconstruction or improvement of any
kind to an existing structure to an extent or amount of 50% or more
of its market value shall constitute a substantial improvement and
shall be undertaken only in full compliance with the provisions of
this chapter.
C. Any modification, alteration, reconstruction or improvement of any
kind to an existing structure to an extent or amount of less than
50% of its market value shall be elevated and/or floodproofed to the
greatest extent possible.