The Town Board of the Town of Eaton finds that the potential
and/or actual damages from flooding and erosion may be a problem to
the residents of the Town of Eaton and that such damages may include:
destruction or loss of private and public housing, damage to public
facilities, both publicly and privately owned, and injury to and loss
of human life. In order to minimize the threat of such damages and
to achieve the purposes and objectives hereinafter set forth, this
chapter is adopted.
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. Regulate 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. 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 are involved in the accommodation
of floodwaters.
D. Control filling, grading, dredging and other development which may
increase erosion or flood damages.
E. Regulate the construction of flood barriers which will unnaturally
divert floodwaters or which may increase flood hazards to other lands.
F. Qualify and maintain for participation in the National Flood Insurance
Program.
The objectives of this chapter are 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, sewer lines, 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
flood blight areas.
G. Provide that developers are notified that property is in an area
of special flood hazard.
H. Ensure that those who occupy the areas of special flood hazard assume
responsibility for their actions.
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 its most reasonable
application.
APPEAL
A request for a review of the local administrator's
interpretation of any provision of this chapter or a request for a
variance.
AREA OF SHALLOW FLOODING
A designated AO or VO Zone on a community's Flood Insurance
Rate Map (FIRM) with base flood depths from one foot to three feet
where a clearly defined channel does not exist, where the path of
flooding is unpredictable and indeterminate and where velocity flow
may be evident.
AREA OF SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD
The land in the floodplain within a community subject to
a one-percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year. This
area may be designated as Zones A, AE, AH, AO, A1 - A99, V, VO, VE
or V1 through V30. It is also commonly referred to as the base floodplain
or one-hundred-year floodplain
BASE FLOOD
The flood having a one-percent chance of being equaled or
exceeded in any given year.
BASEMENT
That portion of a building having its floor subgrade (below
ground level) on all sides.
BREAKAWAY WALL
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 the supporting foundation system.
BUILDING
Any structure built for support, shelter or enclosure for
occupancy or storage.
CELLAR
The same meaning as "basement."
COASTAL HIGH HAZARD AREA
The area subject to high velocity waters, including but not
limited to hurricane wave wash. The area is designated on a FIRM as
Zone V1 -
V30, VE, VO or V.
DEVELOPMENT
Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate,
including but not limited to buildings or other structures, mining,
dredging, filling, paving, excavation or drilling operations located
within the area of special flood hazard.
ELEVATED BUILDING
A nonbasement building built to have the lowest floor elevated
above the ground level by means of fill, solid foundation perimeter
walls, pilings, columns (posts and piers) or shear walls.
FLOOD BOUNDARY AND FLOODWAY MAP (FBFM)
An official map of the community published by the Federal
Emergency Management Agency as part of a riverine community's
Flood Insurance Study. The FBFM delineates a regulatory floodway along
watercourses studied in detail in the Flood Insurance Study.
FLOOD HAZARD BOUNDARY MAP (FHBM)
An official map of a community, issued by the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, where the boundaries of the areas of special flood
hazard have been defined but no water surface elevation is provided.
FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP (FIRM)
An official map of a community, on which the Federal Emergency
Management Agency has delineated both the areas of special flood hazard
and the risk premium zones applicable to the community.
FLOOD INSURANCE STUDY
The official report provided by the Federal Emergency Management
Agency. The report contains flood profiles, as well as the Flood Boundary
Floodway Map and the water surface elevations of the base flood.
FLOOD or FLOODING
A general and temporary condition of partial or complete
inundation of normally dry land areas from:
A.
The overflow of inland or tidal waters.
B.
The unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters
from any source.
FLOODPROOFING
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.
FLOODWAY
The same meaning as "regulatory floodway."
FLOOR
The top surface of an enclosed area in a building (including
basement), i.e., top of slab in concrete slab construction or top
of wood flooring in wood frame construction.
FUNCTIONALLY DEPENDENT USE
A use which cannot perform its intended purpose unless it
is located or carried out in close proximity to water, such as a docking
or port facility necessary for the loading and unloading of cargo
or passengers, shipbuilding and ship repair. The term does not include
long-term storage, manufacture, sales or service facilities.
HIGHEST ADJACENT GRADE
The highest natural elevation of the ground surface, prior
to construction, next to the proposed walls of a structure.
LOWEST FLOOR
Lowest level, including basement or cellar of the lowest
enclosed area. An unfinished or flood-resistant enclosure, usable
solely for 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 as to render the structure
in violation of the applicable nonelevation design requirements of
this chapter.
MANUFACTURED HOME
A structure, transportable in one or more sections, which
is built on a permanent chassis and designed to be used with or without
a permanent foundation when connected to the required utilities. The
term also includes park trailers, travel trailers and similar transportable
structures placed on a site for 180 consecutive days or longer and
intended to be improved property.
MEAN SEA LEVEL
For purposes of the National Flood Insurance Program, the
National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) of 1929 or other datum, to
which base flood elevations shown on a community's Flood Insurance
Rate Map are referenced.
NEW CONSTRUCTION
Structures for which the start of construction commenced
on or after the effective date of this chapter.
REGULATORY FLOODWAY
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 a designated height as determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in a Flood Insurance Study or by other agencies as provided in §
95-12B of this chapter.
SAND DUNES
Naturally occurring accumulations of sand in ridges or mounds
landward of the beach.
START OF CONSTRUCTION
The initiation, excluding planning and design, of any phase
of a project, physical alteration of the property, and shall include
land preparation, such as clearing, grading and filling; installation
of streets and/or walkways; excavation for a basement, footings, piers
or foundations or the erection of temporary forms. It also includes
the placement and/or installation on the property of accessory buildings
(garages, sheds), storage trailers and building materials. For manufactured
homes the "actual start" means affixing of the manufactured home to
its permanent site.
STRUCTURE
A walled and roofed building, a manufactured home or a gas
or liquid storage tank that is principally above ground.
SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT
Any repair, reconstruction or improvement of a structure,
the cost of which equals or exceeds 50% of the market value of the
structure either before the improvement or repair is started or, if
the structure has been damaged and is being restored, before the damage
occurred. For the purposes of this definition, substantial improvement
is considered to commence when the first alteration of any wall, ceiling,
floor or other structural part of the building commences, whether
or not that alteration affects the external dimensions of the structure.
The term does not, however, include either:
A.
Any project for improvement of a structure to comply with existing
state or local building, fire, health, sanitary or safety code specifications
which are solely necessary to assure safe living conditions; or
B.
Any alteration of a structure or contributing structure listed
on the National Register of Historic Places or a State Inventory of
Historic Places.
VARIANCE
A grant of relief from the requirements of this chapter which
permits construction or use in a manner that would otherwise be prohibited
by this chapter.
This chapter shall apply to all areas of special flood hazards
within the jurisdiction of the Town of Eaton.
The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal
Insurance Administration on its Flood Hazard Boundary Map (FHBM),
or Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Nos. 01 through 12, dated September
10, 1984, are hereby adopted and declared to be a part of this chapter.
The FHBM or FIRM is on file at Town of Eaton Office Building, Morrisville,
New York.
No structure shall hereafter be constructed, located, extended, converted or altered and no land shall be excavated or filled without full compliance with the terms of this chapter and any other applicable regulations. Any infraction of the provisions of this chapter by failure to comply with any of its requirements, including infractions of conditions and safeguards established in connection with conditions of the permit, shall constitute a violation. Any person who violates this chapter or fails to comply with any of its requirements shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined no more than $250 or imprisoned for not more than 15 days, or both. Each day of noncompliance shall be considered a separate offense. Nothing herein contained shall prevent the Town of Eaton from taking such other lawful action as necessary to prevent or remedy an infraction. Any structure found not compliant with the requirements of this chapter for which the developer and/or owner has not applied for and received an approved variance under §§
95-16 and
95-17 will be declared noncompliant and notification sent to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
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 Town of Eaton, any officer or employee thereof,
or the Federal Emergency Management Agency, for any flood damages
that result from reliance on this chapter or any administrative decision
lawfully made thereunder.
The Code Enforcement Officer is hereby appointed local administrator
to administer and implement this chapter by granting or denying development
permit applications in accordance with its provisions.
A development permit shall be obtained before the start of construction or any other development within the area of special flood hazard as established in §
95-6. Application for a development permit shall be made on forms furnished by the local administrator and may include but not be limited to plans, in duplicate, drawn to scale and 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.
A. Application stage. The following information is required where applicable:
(1) Elevation in relation to mean sea level of the proposed lowest floor
(including basement or cellar) of all structures.
(2) Elevation in relation to mean sea level to which any nonresidential
structure will be floodproofed.
(3) When required a certificate from a licensed professional engineer or architect that the utility floodproofing will meet the criteria in §
95-13C(1).
(4) Certificate from a licensed professional engineer or architect that the nonresidential floodproofed structure will meet the floodproofing criteria in §
95-14.
(5) Description of the extent to which any watercourse will be altered
or relocated as a result of proposed development.
B. Construction stage. Upon placement of the lowest floor, or floodproofing
by whatever means, it shall be the duty of the permit holder to submit
to the local administrator a certificate of the elevation of the lowest
floor, or floodproofed elevation, in relation to mean sea level. The
elevation certificate shall be prepared by or under the direct supervision
of a licensed land surveyor or professional engineer and certified
by the same. When floodproofing is utilized for a particular building,
the floodproofing certificate shall be prepared by or under the direct
supervision of a licensed professional engineer or architect and certified
by the same. Any further work undertaken prior to submission and approval
of the certification shall be at the permit holder's risk. The
local administrator shall review all data submitted. Deficiencies
detected shall be cause to issue a stop-work order for the project
unless immediately corrected.
Duties of the local administrator shall include but not be limited
to:
A. Permit application review.
(1) Review all development permit applications to determine that the
requirements of this chapter have been satisfied.
(2) 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.
(3) Review all development permit applications to determine if the proposed
development adversely affects the area of special flood hazard. For
the purposes of this chapter, "adversely affects" means physical damage
to adjacent properties. An engineering study may be required of the
applicant for this purpose.
(a)
If there is no adverse effect, then the permit shall be granted
consistent with the provisions of this chapter.
(b)
If there is an adverse effect, then flood damage mitigation
measures shall be made a condition of the permit.
(4) Review all development permits for compliance with the provisions of §
95-13E, Encroachments.
B. Use of other base flood and floodway data. When base flood elevation data has not been provided in accordance with §
95-6, Basis for establishing the areas of special flood hazard, the local administrator shall obtain, review and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation and floodway data available from a federal, state or other source, including data developed pursuant to §
95-13D(4) in order to administer §
95-14, Specific standards, and §
95-15, Floodways.
C. Information to be obtained and maintained.
(1) Obtain and record the actual elevation, in relation to mean sea level,
of the lowest floor, including basement or cellar, of all new or substantially
improved structures, and whether or not the structure contains a basement
or cellar.
(2) For all new or substantially improved floodproofed structures:
(a)
Obtain and record the actual elevation, in relation to mean
sea level, to which the structure has been floodproofed.
(b)
Maintain the floodproofing certifications required in §§
95-13 and
95-14.
(3) Maintain for public inspection all records pertaining to the provisions
of this chapter, including variances when granted and certificates
of compliance.
D. Alteration of watercourses.
(1) Notify adjacent communities and the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation prior to any alteration or relocation of
a watercourse, and submit evidence of such notification to the Regional
Director, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region II, 26 Federal
Plaza, New York, NY 10278.
(2) Require that maintenance is provided within the altered or relocated
portion of said watercourse so that the flood-carrying capacity is
not diminished.
E. Interpretation of FIRM boundaries.
(1) The local administrator shall have the authority to make interpretations
when there appears to be a conflict between the limits of the federally
identified area of special flood hazard and actual field conditions.
(2) Base flood elevation data established pursuant to §
95-6 and/or §
95-12B, when available, shall be used to accurately delineate the area of special flood hazards.
(3) The local administrator shall use flood information from any other
authoritative source, including historical data, to establish the
limits of the area of special flood hazards when base flood elevations
are not available.
F. Stop-work orders.
(1) All floodplain development found ongoing without an approved permit shall be subject to the issuance of a stop-work order by the local administrator. Disregard of a stop-work order shall be subject to the penalties described in §
95-8 of this chapter.
(2) All floodplain development found noncompliant with the provisions of this chapter and/or the conditions of the approved permit shall be subject to the issuance of a stop-work order by the local administrator. Disregard of a stop-work order shall be subject to the penalties described in §
95-8 of this chapter.
G. Inspections. The local administrator and/or the developer's
engineer or architect shall make periodic inspections at appropriate
times throughout the period of construction in order to monitor compliance
with permit conditions and enable said inspector to certify that the
development is in compliance with the requirements of either the development
permit or the approved variance.
H. Certificate of compliance.
(1) It shall be unlawful to use or occupy or to permit the use or occupancy
of any building or premises, or both, or part thereof hereafter created,
erected, changed, converted or wholly or partly altered or enlarged
in its use or structure until a certificate of compliance has been
issued by the local administrator stating that the building or land
conforms to the requirements of this chapter.
(2) All other development occurring within the designated flood hazard
area will have upon completion a certificate of compliance issued
by the local administrator.
(3) All certifications shall be based upon the inspections conducted subject to Subsection
G and/or any certified elevations, hydraulic information, floodproofing, anchoring requirements or encroachment analysis which may have been required as a condition of the approved permit.
In all areas of special flood hazards the following standards
are required:
A. Anchoring.
(1) All new construction and substantial improvements shall be anchored
to prevent flotation, collapse or lateral movement of the structure.
(2) All manufactured homes shall be installed using methods and practices
which minimize flood damage. Manufactured homes must be elevated and
anchored to resist flotation, collapse or lateral movement. Manufactured
homes shall be elevated to or above the base flood elevation or two
feet above the highest adjacent grade when no base flood elevation
has been determined. 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.
B. Construction materials and methods.
(1) All new construction and substantial improvements shall be constructed
with materials and utility equipment resistant to flood damage.
(2) All new construction and substantial improvements shall be constructed
using methods and practices that minimize flood damage.
C. Utilities.
(1) Electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing, 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. When designed for location below the
base flood elevation, a professional engineer's or architect's
certification is required.
(2) All new and replacement water supply systems shall be designed to
minimize or eliminate infiltration of floodwaters into the system.
(3) New and replacement sanitary sewage systems shall be designed to
minimize or eliminate infiltration of floodwaters.
(4) On-site waste disposal systems shall be located to avoid impairment
to them or contamination from them during flooding.
D. Subdivision proposals.
(1) All subdivision proposals shall be consistent with the need to minimize
flood damage.
(2) All subdivision proposals shall have public utilities and facilities
such as sewer, gas, electrical and water systems located and constructed
to minimize flood damage.
(3) All subdivision proposals shall have adequate drainage provided to
reduce exposure to flood damage.
(4) Base flood elevation data shall be provided for subdivision proposals
and other proposed developments (including proposals for manufactured
home parks and subdivisions) greater than either 50 lots or five acres.
E. Encroachments.
(1) All proposed development in riverine situations where no flood elevation data is available (unnumbered A Zones) shall be analyzed to determine the effects on the flood-carrying capacity of the area of special flood hazards set forth in §
95-12A(3), Permit review. This may require the submission of additional technical data to assist in the determination.
(2) In all areas of special flood hazard in which base flood elevation data is available pursuant to §
95-12B or §
95-13D(4) and no floodway has been determined the cumulative effects 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 one foot at any point.
(3) In all areas of the special flood hazard where floodway data is provided or available pursuant to §
95-12B the requirements of §
95-15, Floodways, shall apply.
In all areas of special flood hazards where base flood elevation data has been provided as set forth in §
95-6, Basis for establishing the areas of special flood hazards, and §
95-12B, Use of other base flood data, the following standards are required:
A. Residential construction. New construction and substantial improvements
of any resident structure shall:
(1) Have the lowest floor, including basement or cellar, elevated to
or above the base flood elevation.
(2) Have fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor that are subject
to flooding 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
licensed professional engineer or architect or meet or exceed the
following minimum criteria:
(a)
A minimum of two openings having a total net area of not less
than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed area subject
to flooding.
(b)
The bottom of all such openings shall be no higher than one
foot above the lowest adjacent finished grade.
(c)
Openings may be equipped with louvers, valves, screens or other
coverings or devices, provided that they permit the automatic entry
and exit of floodwaters.
B. Nonresidential construction. New construction and substantial improvements
of any commercial, industrial or other nonresidential structure, together
with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, shall either have
the lowest floor, including basement or cellar, elevated to or above
the base flood elevation, or be floodproofed so that the structure
is watertight below the base flood level with walls substantially
impermeable to the passage of water. All structural components located
below the base flood level must be capable of resisting hydrostatic
and hydrodynamic loads and the effects of buoyancy.
(1) If the structure is to be elevated, fully enclosed areas below the
base flood elevation shall be designed to automatically (without human
intervention) allow for the entry and exit of floodwaters for the
purpose of equalizing hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls.
Designs for meeting this requirement must either be certified by a
licensed professional engineer or a licensed architect or meet the
following criteria:
(a)
A minimum of two openings having a total net area of not less
than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed area subject
to flooding.
(b)
The bottom of all such openings shall be no higher than one
foot above the lowest adjacent finished grade.
(c)
Openings may be equipped with louvers, valves, screens or other
coverings or devices, provided that they permit the automatic entry
and exit of floodwaters.
(2) If the structure is to be floodproofed:
(a)
A licensed professional engineer or architect shall develop
and/or review structural design, specifications and plans for the
construction, and shall certify that the design and methods of construction
are in accordance with accepted standards of practice to make the
structure watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage
of water, with structural components having the capability of resisting
hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy.
(b)
A licensed professional engineer or licensed land surveyor shall
certify the specific elevation (in relation to mean sea level) to
which the structure is floodproofed.
(3) The local administrator shall maintain on record a copy of all such
certificates noted in this section.
C. Construction standards for areas of special flood hazards without base flood elevations. New construction or substantial improvements of structures, including manufactured homes, shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above the base flood elevation as may be determined in §
95-12B or two feet above the highest adjacent grade where no elevation data is available.
(1) New construction or substantial improvements of structures, including
manufactured homes, shall have the lowest floor (including basement)
elevated at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade next to
the proposed foundation of the structure.
(2) Fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor that are subject to flooding
shall be designed to automatically (without human intervention) allow
for the entry and exit of floodwaters for the purpose of equalizing
hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls. Designs for meeting this
requirement must either be certified by a licensed professional engineer
or a licensed architect or meet the following criteria:
(a)
A minimum of two openings having a total net area of not less
than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed area subject
to flooding.
(b)
The bottom of all such openings shall be no higher than one
foot above the lowest adjacent finished grade.
(c)
Openings may be equipped with louvers, valves, screens or other
coverings or openings, provided that they permit the automatic entry
and exit of floodwaters.
Located within areas of special flood hazard are areas designated as floodways (see definition, §
95-4). The floodway is an extremely hazardous area due to high velocity floodwaters carrying debris and posing additional threats from potential erosion forces. When floodway data is available for a particular site as provided by §
95-6 and §
95-12B, all encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements and other development are prohibited within the limits of the floodway unless a technical evaluation demonstrates that such encroachments shall not result in any increase in flood levels during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.