A.
The Township Engineer is hereby appointed to administer and enforce
this chapter and is referred to herein as the Floodplain Administrator.
The Floodplain Administrator may: (a) fulfill the duties and responsibilities
set forth in these regulations; (b) delegate duties and responsibilities
set forth in these regulations to qualified technical personnel, plan
examiners, inspectors, and other employees; or (c) enter into a written
agreement or written contract with another agency or private sector
entity to administer specific provisions of these regulations. Administration
of any part of these regulations by another entity shall not relieve
the community of its responsibilities pursuant to the participation
requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program as set forth
in the Code of Federal Regulations at 44 CFR 59.22.
B.
In the absence of a designated Floodplain Administrator, the Floodplain
Administrator duties are to be fulfilled by the Code Enforcement Officer.
A permit shall be required before any construction or development
is undertaken within any area of the Township of South Fayette.
A.
The Floodplain Administrator shall issue a permit only after it has
been determined that the proposed work to be undertaken will be in
conformance with the requirements of this and all other applicable
codes and ordinances.
B.
Prior to the issuance of any permit, the Floodplain Administrator
shall review the application for the permit to determine if all other
necessary government permits required by state and federal laws have
been obtained, such as those required by the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities
Act (Act 1966-537, as amended); the Pennsylvania Dam Safety and Encroachments
Act (Act 1978-325, as amended); the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Act
(Act 1937-394, as amended);[1] and the U.S. Clean Water Act, Section 404, 33 U.S.C. § 1344.
No permit shall be issued until this determination has been made.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 750.1 et seq.,
32 P.S. § 693.1 et seq., and 35 P.S. § 691.1 et
seq., respectively.
C.
In the case of existing structures, prior to the issuance of any
development/permit, the Floodplain Administrator shall review the
history of repairs to the subject building, so that any repetitive
loss concerns can be addressed before the permit is issued.
D.
During the construction period, the Floodplain Administrator or other
authorized official shall inspect the premises to determine that the
work is progressing in compliance with the information provided on
the permit application and with all applicable municipal laws and
ordinances. He/she shall make as many inspections during and upon
completion of the work as are necessary.
E.
In the discharge of his/her duties, the Floodplain Administrator
shall have the authority to enter any building, structure, premises
or development in the identified floodplain area, upon presentation
of proper credentials, at any reasonable hour to enforce the provisions
of this chapter.
F.
In the event the Floodplain Administrator discovers that the work
does not comply with the permit application or any applicable laws
and ordinances, or that there has been a false statement or misrepresentation
by any applicant, the Floodplain Administrator shall revoke the permit
and report such fact to the Board of Commissioners for whatever action
it considers necessary.
G.
The Floodplain Administrator shall maintain in perpetuity all records
associated with the requirements of this chapter including, but not
limited to, finished construction elevation data, permitting, inspection
and enforcement.
H.
The Floodplain Administrator is the official responsible for submitting
a biennial report to FEMA concerning community participation in the
National Flood Insurance Program.
I.
The responsibility, authority and means to implement the commitments
of the Floodplain Administrator can be delegated from the person identified.
However, the ultimate responsibility lies with the person identified
in this chapter as the floodplain administrator/manager.
J.
The Floodplain Administrator shall consider the requirements of 34
Pa. Code and the 2009 IBC and the 2009 IRC or latest revisions thereof.
A.
Application for such a permit shall be made, in writing, to the Floodplain
Administrator on forms supplied by the Township of South Fayette.
Such application shall contain the following:
(1)
Name and address of applicant.
(2)
Name and address of owner of land on which proposed construction
is to occur.
(3)
Name and address of contractor.
(4)
Site location including address.
(5)
Listing of other permits required.
(6)
Brief description of proposed work and estimated cost, including
a breakout of flood-related cost and the market value of the building
before the flood damage occurred where appropriate.
(7)
A plan of the site showing the exact size and location of the
proposed construction as well as any existing buildings or structures.
B.
If any proposed construction or development is located entirely or
partially within any identified floodplain area, applicants for permits
shall provide all the necessary information in sufficient detail and
clarity to enable the Floodplain Administrator to determine that:
(1)
All such proposals are consistent with the need to minimize
flood damage and conform with the requirements of this and all other
applicable codes and ordinances;
(2)
All utilities and facilities, such as sewer, gas, electrical
and water systems are located and constructed to minimize or eliminate
flood damage;
(3)
Adequate drainage is provided so as to reduce exposure to flood
hazards;
(4)
Structures will be anchored to prevent floatation, collapse,
or lateral movement;
(5)
Building materials are flood-resistant;
(6)
Appropriate practices that minimize flood damage have been used;
and
(7)
Electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing, air-conditioning
equipment, and other service facilities have been designed and located
to prevent water entry or accumulation.
C.
Applicants shall file the following minimum information plus any
other pertinent information as may be required by the Floodplain Administrator
to make the above determination:
(1)
A completed permit application form.
(2)
A plan of the entire site, clearly and legibly drawn at a scale
of one inch being equal to 100 feet or less, showing the following:
(a)
North arrow, scale, and date;
(b)
Topographic contour lines, if available;
(c)
The location of all existing and proposed buildings, structures,
and other improvements, including the location of any existing or
proposed subdivision and development;
(d)
The location of all existing streets, drives, and other access
ways; and
(e)
The location of any existing bodies of water or watercourses,
identified floodplain areas, and, if available, information pertaining
to the floodway, and the flow of water including direction and velocities.
(3)
Plans of all proposed buildings, structures and other improvements,
drawn at suitable scale showing the following:
(4)
The following data and documentation:
(a)
Detailed information concerning any proposed floodproofing measures
and corresponding elevations.
(b)
Documentation, certified by a registered professional engineer or architect, to show that the cumulative effect of any proposed development within any identified floodplain area (see § 160-401) when combined with all other existing and anticipated development, will not cause any increase in the base flood elevation. AE Areas outside of the floodway are exempt from this requirement.
(c)
A document, certified by a registered professional engineer
or architect, which states that the proposed construction or development
has been adequately designed to withstand the pressures, velocities,
impact and uplift forces associated with the base flood.
[1]
Such statement shall include a description of the type and extent
of floodproofing measures which have been incorporated into the design
of the structure and/or the development.
(d)
(e)
The appropriate component of the Department of Environmental
Protection's "Planning Module for Land Development."
(f)
Where any excavation or grading is proposed, a plan meeting
the requirements of the Department of Environmental Protection, to
implement and maintain erosion and sedimentation control.
D.
Applications for permits shall be accompanied by a fee, payable to
the municipality based upon the estimated cost of the proposed construction
as determined by the Floodplain Administrator.
A copy of applications and plans for any proposed construction
or development in any identified floodplain area to be considered
for approval may be submitted by the Floodplain Administrator to the
County Conservation District for review and comment prior to the issuance
of a permit. The recommendations of the Conservation District shall
be considered by the Floodplain Administrator for possible incorporation
into the proposed plan. If no response to the application and plans
of the applicant is received by the Floodplain Administrator from
the County Conservation District within 45 days of receipt of such
information by the County Conservation District, the Floodplain Administrator
may issue a permit hereunder if the application and plan are otherwise
in compliance with the standards and requirements set forth in this
chapter.
A copy of all plans and applications for any proposed construction
or development in any identified floodplain area to be considered
for approval may be submitted by the Floodplain Administrator to any
other appropriate agencies and/or individuals (e.g., Planning Commission,
Municipal Engineer, etc.) for review and comment.
After the issuance of a permit by the Floodplain Administrator,
no changes of any kind shall be made to the application, permit or
any of the plans, specifications or other documents submitted with
the application without the written consent or approval of the Floodplain
Administrator. Requests for any such change shall be in writing, and
shall be submitted by the applicant to Floodplain Administrator for
consideration.
In addition to the permit, the Floodplain Administrator shall
issue a placard which shall be displayed on the premises during the
time construction is in progress. This placard shall show the number
of the permit and the date of its issuance, and be signed by the Floodplain
Administrator.
A.
Work on the proposed construction or development shall begin within
180 days after the date of issuance of the development permit. Work
shall also be completed within 12 months after the date of issuance
of the permit or the permit shall expire unless a time extension is
granted, in writing, by the Floodplain Administrator. The issuance
of development permit does not refer to the zoning approval.
B.
The actual start of construction 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 manufactured home on a foundation. Permanent construction does
not include land preparation, such as clearing, grading, and filling;
nor does it include the installation of streets and/or walkways; nor
does it include excavation for a basement, footings, piers, or foundations
or the erection of temporary forms; nor does it include the installation
on the property of accessory buildings, such as garages or sheds not
occupied as dwelling units or not part of the main structure. For
a substantial improvement, the actual start of construction means
the first, alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor, or other structural
part of a building, whether or not that alteration affects the external
dimensions of the building.
C.
Time extensions shall be granted only if a written request is submitted
by the applicant, who sets forth sufficient and reasonable cause for
the Floodplain Administrator to approve such a request and the original
permit is compliant with the ordinance and FIRM/FIS in effect at the
time the extension is granted.
A.
Notices. Whenever the Floodplain Administrator or other authorized
municipal representative determines that there are reasonable grounds
to believe that there has been a violation of any provisions of this
chapter, or of any regulations adopted pursuant thereto, the Floodplain
Administrator shall give notice of such alleged violation as hereinafter
provided. Such notice shall:
(1)
Be in writing;
(2)
Include a statement of the reasons for its issuance;
(3)
Allow a reasonable time not to exceed a period of 30 days for
the performance of any act it requires;
(4)
Be served upon the property owner or his agent as the case may
require; provided, however, that such notice or order shall be deemed
to have been properly served upon such owner or agent when a copy
thereof has been served with such notice by any other method authorized
or required by the laws of this state;
(5)
Contain an outline of remedial actions which, if taken, will
effect compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
B.
Penalties. Any person who fails to comply with any or all of the
requirements or provisions of this chapter or who fails or refuses
to comply with any notice, order of direction of the Floodplain Administrator
or any other authorized employee of the municipality shall be guilty
of a summary offense and upon conviction shall pay a fine to Township
of South Fayette, of not less than $25 nor more than $600 plus costs
of prosecution. In addition to the above penalties all other actions
are hereby reserved including an action in equity for the proper enforcement
of this chapter. The imposition of a fine or penalty for any violation
of, or noncompliance with, this chapter shall not excuse the violation
or noncompliance or permit it to continue. All such persons shall
be required to correct or remedy such violations and noncompliance
within a reasonable time. Any development initiated or any structure
or building constructed, reconstructed, enlarged, altered, or relocated,
in noncompliance with this chapter may be declared by the Board of
Commissioners to be a public nuisance and abatable as such.
A.
Any person aggrieved by any action or decision of the Floodplain
Administrator concerning the administration of the provisions of this
chapter may appeal to the Zoning Hearing Board. Such appeal must be
filed, in writing, within 30 days after the decision, determination
or action of the Floodplain Administrator.
B.
Upon receipt of such appeal the Zoning Hearing Board shall consider
the appeal in accordance with the Municipal Planning Code and any
other local ordinance.
C.
Any person aggrieved by any decision of the Zoning Hearing Board
may seek relief therefrom by appeal to court, as provided by the laws
of this state including the Pennsylvania Flood Plain Management Act.
