[Ord. No. 688, 6/4/2018]
The identified floodplain area shall be any areas of the Borough
of Wellsboro classified as special flood hazard areas (SFHAs) in the
Flood Insurance Study (FIS) and the accompanying Flood Insurance Rate
Maps (FIRMs) dated July 16, 2015 and issued by the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) or the most recent revision thereof, including
all digital data developed as part of the Flood Insurance Study.
[Ord. No. 688, 6/4/2018]
The identified floodplain area shall consist of the following
specific areas:
1. The Floodway Area shall be those areas identified in the FIS and
the FIRM as floodway and which represent the channel of a watercourse
and the adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge
the base flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation
by more than one foot at any point. This term shall also include floodway
areas which have been identified in other available studies or sources
of information for those special flood hazard areas where no floodway
has been identified in the FIS and FIRM.
A. Any encroachments whatsoever that would cause any increase in flood
height shall be prohibited unless it has been demonstrated through
hydrologic and hydraulic analysis performed in accordance with standard
engineering practice that the proposed encroachment would not result
in any increase in flood levels within the community during the occurrence
of the base flood discharge.
B. No new construction or development shall be allowed unless a permit
is obtained from the Department of Environmental Protection Regional
Office.
2. The AE AREA/District shall be those areas identified as an AE Zone
on the FIRM included in the FIS prepared by FEMA for which base flood
elevations have been provided.
A. The AE Area adjacent to the floodway shall be those areas identified
as an AE Zone on the FIRM included in the FIS prepared by FEMA for
which base flood elevations have been provided and a floodway has
been delineated.
B. AE Area without floodway shall be those areas identified as an AE
Zone on the FIRM included in the FIS prepared by FEMA for which base
flood elevations have been provided but no floodway has been determined.
(1)
No new construction or development shall be located within the
area measured 50 feet landward from the top-of-bank of any watercourse,
unless a permit is obtained from the Department of Environmental Protection
Regional Office.
(2)
In special floodplain areas without a designated floodway, no
new development shall be permitted un less it can be demonstrated
that the cumulative effect of all past and projected development will
not increase the base flood elevation (BFE) by more than one foot.
3. The A Area/District. The areas identified as Zone A on the FIRM included
in the FIS prepared by FEMA and for which no base flood elevations
have been provided. For these areas elevation and floodway information
from other Federal, State, or other applicable sources shall be used
when available. Where other acceptable information is not available
the base flood elevation shall be determined by using the elevation
of a point on the boundary of the identified floodplain area which
is nearest the construction site.
A. In lieu of the above, the Borough of Wellsboro may require the applicant
to determine the elevation with hydrologic and hydraulic engineering
techniques. Hydrologic and hydraulic analyses shall be undertaken
only by professional engineers or others of demonstrated qualifications,
who shall certify that the technical methods used correctly reflect
currently accepted technical concepts. Studies, analyses, computations,
etc., shall be submitted in sufficient detail to allow a through technical
review by the Municipality.
4. Community Identified Flood Hazard Areas shall be those areas where
the Borough of Wellsboro has identified local flood hazard or ponding
areas as delineated and adopted on a "Local Flood Hazard Map" using
best available topographic data and locally derived information such
as flood of record, historic high water marks, soils or approximate
study.
[Ord. No. 688, 6/4/2018]
The identified floodplain area may be revised or modified by
the Borough Council where studies or information provided by a qualified
agency or person documents the need for such revision. However, prior
to any change, approval must be obtained from FEMA. Additionally,
as soon as practicable, but not later than six months after the date
such information becomes available, the Borough shall notify the FEMA
of the changes by submitting technical or scientific data.
[Ord. No. 688, 6/4/2018]
Should a dispute concerning any identified floodplain boundary
arise, an initial determination shall be made by the Borough of Wellsboro,
and any party aggrieved by this decision or determination may appeal
to the Borough Council. The burden of proof shall be on the appellant.
[Ord. No. 688, 6/4/2018]
Prior to development occurring in areas where annexation or
other corporate boundary changes are proposed or have occurred, the
Borough Council shall review flood hazard data affecting the lands
subject to boundary changes. The Borough shall adopt and enforce floodplain
regulations in areas subject to annexation or corporate boundary changes
which meet or exceed those in CFR 44 60.3.
[Ord. No. 688, 6/4/2018]
Development, construction, rehabilitation and other activities
in SFHAs in the FIS are subject to regulations related to Technical
Provisions, Activities Requiring Special Permits, Existing Structures
in Identified Floodplain Areas, Variances and Definitions in Ordinance
No. 679 as enacted on May 11, 2015, as subsequently amended.