Township of Edison, NJ Flood Damage Prevention and Protection

The Legislature of the State of New Jersey has in N.J.S.A. 40:48-1 et seq., delegated the responsibility to local governmental units to adopt regulations designed to promote the public health, safety and general welfare of its citizenry. Therefore, the Mayor and the Municipal Council of the Township of Edison, Middlesex County, New Jersey does ordain as follows.

§ 33-1.2 Findings of Fact.

[Ord. No. O.1739-2010]

The flood hazard areas of the Township 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.

These flood losses are caused by the cumulative effect of obstructions in areas of special flood hazard, which increase flood heights and velocities and, when inadequately anchored, causes damage in other areas. Uses that are inadequately floodproofed, elevated or otherwise protected from flood damage also contribute to the flood loss.

§ 33-1.3 Statement of Purpose.

[Ord. No. O.1739-2010]

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:

Protect human life and health;

Minimize expenditure of public money for costly flood control projects;

Minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding and generally undertaken at the expense of the general public;

Minimize prolonged business interruptions;

Minimize damage to public facilities and utilities, such as water and gas mains, electric, telephone and sewer lines, streets and bridges located in areas of special flood hazard;

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;

Ensure that potential buyers are notified that property is in an area of special flood hazard;

Ensure that those who occupy the areas of special flood hazard assume responsibility for their actions.

§ 33-1.4 Methods of Reducing Flood Losses.

[Ord. No. O.1739-2010]

In order to accomplish its purposes, this chapter includes methods and provisions for:

Restricting or prohibiting 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;

Requiring that uses vulnerable to floods including facilities which serve such uses, be protected against flood damage at the end of initial construction;

Controlling the alteration of natural floodplains, stream channels, and natural protective barriers, which help accommodate or channel floodwaters;

Controlling filling, grading, dredging, and other development which may increase flood damage; and

Preventing or regulating the construction of flood barriers which will unnaturally divert floodwaters or which may increase flood hazards in other areas.

§ 33-2 DEFINITIONS.

[Ord. No. O.1739-2010]

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 ordinance its most reasonable application:

APPEAL: Shall mean a request for a review of the Township Engineer's interpretation of any provision of this chapter or a request for a variance.

AREA OF SHALLOW FLOODING: Shall mean a designated AO, AH, or VO Zone on the community's Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) with a one (1%) percent annual or greater chance of flooding to an average depth of one (1) to three (3) feet where a clearly defined channel does not exist, where the path of flooding is unpredictable and where velocity flow may be evident. Such flooding is characterized by ponding or sheet flow

AREA OF SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD: Shall mean the land in the floodplain within a community subject to a one (1%) percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year.

BASE FLOOD: Shall mean the flood having a one (1%) percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year.

BASEMENT: Shall mean any area of the building having its floor subgrade (below ground level) on all sides.

BREAKAWAY WALL: Shall mean 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 supporting foundation system.

DEVELOPMENT: Shall mean 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 located within the area of special flood hazard.

DIGITAL FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP (DFIRM): Shall mean the official map on which the Federal Insurance Administration has delineated both the areas of special flood hazards and the risk premium zones applicable to the community.

ELEVATED BUILDING: Shall mean a nonbasement building (i) built in the case of a building in an area of special flood hazard to have the top of the elevated floor elevated above the ground level by means of piling, columns (post and piers), or shear walls parallel to the flow of the water, and (ii) adequately anchored so as not to impair the structural integrity of the building during a flood up to the magnitude of the base flood. In an area of special flood hazard "elevated building" also includes a building elevated by means of fill or solid foundation perimeter walls with openings sufficient to facilitate the unimpeded movement of floodwaters.

FLOOD or FLOODING: Shall mean a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from:

FLOOD INSURANCE STUDY (FIS): Shall mean the official report in which the Federal Insurance Administration has provided flood profiles, as well as the Flood Insurance Rate Map and the water surface elevation of the base flood.

FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS: Shall mean zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, building codes, health regulations, special purpose ordinances (such as floodplain ordinance, grading ordinance and erosion control ordinance) and other applications of police power. The term describes such State or local regulations, in any combination thereof, which provide standards for the purpose of flood damage prevention and reduction.

FLOODWAY: Shall mean 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 two-tenths (0.2) foot.

HIGHEST ADJACENT GRADE: Shall mean the highest natural elevation of the ground surface prior to construction next to the proposed walls of a structure.

HISTORIC STRUCTURE: Shall mean any structure that is:

LOWEST FLOOR: Shall mean the lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area (including basement). An unfinished or flood-resistant enclosure, usable solely for the 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 other applicable nonelevation design requirements.

MANUFACTURED HOME: Shall mean a structure, transportable in one (1) or more sections, which is built on a permanent chassis and is designed for use with or without a permanent foundation when attached to the required utilities. The term "manufactured home" does not include a "recreational vehicle."

MANUFACTURED HOME PARK or MANUFACTURED HOME SUBDIVISION: Shall mean a parcel (or contiguous parcels) of land divided into two (2) or more manufactured home lots for rent or sale.

NEW CONSTRUCTION: Shall mean structures for which the start of construction commenced on or after the effective date of a floodplain regulation adopted by a community and includes any subsequent improvements to such structures.

NEW MANUFACTURED HOME PARK OR SUBDIVISION: Shall mean 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 on or after the effective date of the floodplain management regulations adopted by the municipality.

RECREATIONAL VEHICLE: Shall mean a vehicle which is [i] built on a single chassis; [ii] four hundred (400) square feet or less when measured at the longest horizontal projections; [iii] designed to be self-propelled or permanently towable by a light duty truck; and [iv] designed primarily not for use as a permanent dwelling but as temporary living quarters for recreational camping, travel, or seasonal use.

START OF CONSTRUCTION: For other than new construction or substantial improvements under the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (P.L. 97-348), includes substantial improvements and means the date the building permit was issued, provided that the actual start of construction, repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, placement or other improvement was within one hundred eighty (180) days of the permit date. The actual start means either the first placement of permanent construction of a structure on a site, such as the pouring of a 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.

STRUCTURE: Shall mean a walled and roofed building, a manufactured home, or a gas or liquid storage tank that is principally above ground.

SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE: Shall mean damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the cost of restoring the structure to its before damaged condition would equal or exceed fifty (50%) percent of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred.

SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT: Shall mean any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds fifty (50%) percent of the market value of the structure either 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:

VARIANCE: Shall mean a grant of relief from the requirements of this chapter which permits construction in a manner that would otherwise be prohibited by this chapter.

§ 33-3 GENERAL PROVISIONS.

§ 33-3.1 Lands to Which This Chapter Applies.

[Ord. No. O.1739-2010]

This chapter shall apply to all areas of special flood hazards within the jurisdiction of the Township of Edison, Middlesex County, New Jersey.

§ 33-3.2 Basis for Establishing the Areas of Special Flood Hazard.

[Ord. No. O.1739-2010]

The areas of special flood hazard for the areas of special flood hazard for the Township of Edison, Community No. 340261, are identified and defined on the following documents prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

A scientific and engineering report "Flood Insurance Study, Middlesex County, New Jersey (All Jurisdictions)" dated July 6, 2010.

Flood Insurance Rate Map for Middlesex County, New Jersey (All Jurisdictions) as sown on Map Index—Map Number 34023CIND0A, and panel numbers 34023C0032F, 34023C0034F, 34023C0039F, 34023C0041F, 34023C0042F, 34023C0043F, 34023C0044F, 34023C0051F, 34023C0052F, 34023C0053F, 34023C0054F, 34023C0061F, 34023C0062F, 34023C0063F, 34023C0064F, 34023C0131F, 34023C0132F, 34023C0151F, 34023C0152F; whose effective date is July 6, 2010.

The above documents are hereby adopted and declared to be a part of this chapter. The Flood Insurance Study and maps are on file at the Office of the Township Engineer, 100 Municipal Blvd., Edison, New Jersey, 08817-3302.

§ 33-3.3 Penalties for Noncompliance.

[Ord. No. O.1739-2010]

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. Violations of the provisions of this chapter by failure to comply with any of its requirements including violations of conditions and safeguards established in connection with conditions, shall constitute a misdemeanor.

Any person who violates this chapter or fails to comply with any of its requirements shall, upon conviction thereof, be liable to the penalty stated in Chapter I, Section 1-5 and, in addition, shall pay all costs and expenses involved in the case. Nothing herein contained shall prevent the Township of Edison from taking such lawful action as is necessary to prevent or remedy any violation.

§ 33-3.4 Abrogation and Greater Restrictions.

[Ord. No. O.1739-2010]

This chapter is not intended to repeal, abrogate or impair any existing easements, covenants or deed restrictions. However, where this chapter and other ordinance, easement, covenant or deed restriction conflict or overlap, whichever imposes the more stringent restrictions shall prevail.

§ 33-3.5 Interpretation.

[Ord. No. O.1739-2010]

In the interpretation and application of this chapter, all provisions shall be:

Considered as minimum requirements;

Liberally construed in favor of the Governing Body; and

Deemed neither to limit or repeal any other powers granted under State statutes.

§ 33-3.6 Warning and Disclaimer of Liability.

[Ord. No. O.1739-2010]

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 hazard or uses permitted within such areas will be free from flooding damages.

This chapter shall not create liability on the part of the Township, any officer or employee thereof or the Federal Insurance Administration for any flood damages that result from reliance on this chapter or any administrative decision lawfully made thereunder.

§ 33-4 ADMINISTRATION.

§ 33-4.1 Establishment of Development Permit.

[Ord. No. O.1739-2010]

A development permit shall be obtained before construction or development begins within any area of special flood hazard established in subsection 33-3.2. Application for a development permit shall be made on forms furnished by the Township Engineer and may include but not be limited to; plans in duplicate drawn to scale 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. Specifically, the following information is required:

Elevation, in relation to mean sea level, of the lowest floor (including basement) of all structures;

Elevation, in relation to mean sea level, to which any structure has been floodproofed;

Certification by a registered professional engineer or architect that the floodproofing methods for any nonresidential structure meet the floodproofing criteria in subsection 33-5.2b; and

Description of the extent to which any watercourse will be altered or relocated as a result of proposed development.

§ 33-4.2 Designation of the Local Floodplain Administrator.

[Ord. No. O.1739-2010]

The Township Engineer is appointed to administer and implement this chapter by granting or denying development permit applications in accordance with its provisions.

§ 33-4.3 Duties and Responsibilities of the Township Engineer.

[Ord. No. O.1739-2010]

Duties of the Township Engineer, as the Local Floodplain Administrator, shall include, but not be limited to:

Permit Review.

Review all development permits to determine that the permit requirements of this chapter have been satisfied;

Review all development permits to determine that all necessary permits have been obtained from those Federal, State or local governmental agencies from which prior approval is required;

Review all development permits to determine if the proposed development is located in the floodway; assure that the encroachment provisions of subsection 33-5.3a are met.

Use of Other Base Floodway Data . When base flood elevation and floodway data has not been provided in accordance with subsection 33-3.2, Basis for Establishing the Areas of Special Flood Hazard, the Township Engineer shall obtain, review and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation and floodway data available from a Federal, State or other source in order to administer subsection 33-5.2a, Specific Standards, Residential Construction, and 33-5.2b, Specific Standards, Nonresidential Construction.

Information to be Obtained and Maintained.

Obtain and record the actual elevation (in relation to mean sea level,) of the lowest floor (including basement) of all new or substantially improved structures, and whether or not the structure contains a basement;

For all new or substantially improved floodproofed structures.

(a)

Verify and record the actual elevation (in relation to mean sea level); and

(b)

Maintain the floodproofing certifications required in subsection 33-4.1c;

Maintain for public inspection all records pertaining to the provisions of this chapter.

Alteration of Watercourses.

Notify adjacent communities and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Dam Safety and Flood Control Section and the Land Use Regulations Program prior to any alteration or relocation of a watercourse and submit evidence of such notification to the Federal Insurance Administration;

Require that maintenance is provided within the altered or relocated portion of the watercourse so that the flood-carrying capacity is not diminished.

Interpretation of FIRM Boundaries. Make interpretations, where needed, as to the exact location of the boundaries of the areas of special flood hazard (for example, 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 subsection 33-4.4.

Issuance of Flood Zone Letters. Flood Zone Letters will be prepared by the Office of the Township Engineer, Department of Planning and Engineering, Division of Engineering, when requested in writing and payment of an application fee in the amount of twenty-five ($25.00) dollars, payable to the Township of Edison, is made by the applicant for each letter request made. Flood Zone Letters will be issued based upon the review of the flood zone information identified under subsection 33-3.2.

§ 33-4.4 Variance Procedure.

[Ord. No. O.1739-2010]

Appeal Board.

The Zoning Board of Adjustment as established by the Township shall hear and decide appeals and requests for variances from the requirements of this chapter.

The Zoning Board of Adjustment shall hear and decide appeals when it is alleged there is an error in any requirement, decision or determination made by the Township Engineer in the enforcement or administration of this chapter.

Those aggrieved by the decision of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, or any taxpayer, may appeal such decision to the Municipal Council of the Township of Edison, as provided in this chapter.

In passing upon such applications, the Zoning Board of Adjustment, shall consider all technical evaluations, all relevant factors, standards specified in other sections of this chapter and:

(a)

The danger that materials may be swept onto other lands to the injury of others;

(b)

The danger to life and property due to flooding or erosion damage;

(c)

The susceptibility of the proposed facility and its contents to flood damage and the effect of such damage on the individual owner;

(d)

The importance of the services provided by the proposed facility to the community;

(e)

The necessity to the facility of a waterfront location, where applicable;

(f)

The availability of alternative locations for the proposed use which are not subject to flooding or erosion damage;

(g)

The compatibility of the proposed use with existing and anticipated development;

(h)

The relationship of the proposed use to the Comprehensive Plan and floodplain management program of that area;

(i)

The safety of access to the property in times of flood for ordinary and emergency vehicles;

(j)

The expected heights, velocity, duration, rate of rise and sediment transport of the floodwaters and the effects of wave action, if applicable, expected at the site; and

(k)

The 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 systems, and streets and bridges.

Upon consideration of the factors of subsection 33-4.4a4 and the purposes of this chapter, the Zoning Board of Adjustment may attach such conditions to the granting of variances as it deems necessary to further the purposes of this chapter.

The Township Engineer shall maintain the records of all appeal actions, including technical information, and report any variances to the Federal Insurance Administration upon request.

Conditions for Variances.

Generally, variances may be issued for new construction and substantial improvements to be erected on a lot of one-half (1/2) acre or less in size contiguous to and surrounded by lots with existing structures constructed below the base flood level, provided that the items in (a)—(k) subsection 33-4.4a4 have been fully considered. As the lot size increases beyond the one-half (1/2) acre, the technical justification required for issuing the variance increases.

Variances may be issued for the repair or rehabilitation of historic structures upon a determination that the proposed repair or rehabilitation will not preclude the structure's continued designation as a historic structure and the variance is the minimum necessary to preserve the historic character and design of the structure.

Variances shall not be issued within any designated floodway if any increase in flood levels during the base flood discharge would result.

Variances shall only be issued upon a determination that the variance is the minimum necessary, considering the flood hazard, to afford relief.

Variances shall only be issued upon:

(a)

A showing of good and sufficient cause;

(b)

A determination that failure to grant the variance would result in exceptional hardship to the applicant; and

(c)

A determination that the granting of a variance will not result in increased flood heights, additional threats to public safety, extraordinary public expense, create nuisances, cause fraud on or victimization of the public as identified in subsection 33-4.4a4, or conflict with existing local laws or ordinances.

Any applicant to whom a variance is granted shall be given written notice that the structure will be permitted to be built with a lowest floor elevation below the base flood elevation and that the cost of flood insurance will be commensurate with the increased risk resulting from the reduced lowest floor elevation.

§ 33-5 PROVISIONS FOR FLOOD HAZARD REDUCTION.

§ 33-5.1 General Standards.

[Ord. No. O.1739-2010]

In all areas of special flood hazard, the following standards are required.

Anchoring.

All new construction and substantial improvements shall be anchored to prevent flotation, collapse or lateral movement of the structure.

All manufactured homes shall be anchored to resist flotation, collapse or lateral movement. 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.

Construction Materials and Methods.

All new construction and substantial improvements shall be constructed with materials and utility equipment resistant to flood damage.

All new construction and substantial improvements shall be constructed using methods and practices that minimize flood damage.

Utilities.

All new and replacement water supply systems shall be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of floodwaters into the system;

New and replacement sanitary sewerage systems shall be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of floodwaters into the systems and discharge from the systems into floodwaters;

On-site waste disposal systems shall be located to avoid impairment to them or contamination from them during flooding; and

Electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing and 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.

Subdivision Proposals.

All subdivision proposals shall be consistent with the need to minimize flood damage;

All subdivision proposals shall have public utilities and facilities, such as sewer, gas, electrical and water systems, located and constructed to minimize flood damage;

All subdivision proposals shall have adequate drainage provided to reduce exposure to flood damage; and

Base flood elevation data shall be provided for subdivision proposals and other proposed development which contain at least fifty (50) lots or five (5) acres, (whichever is less).

Enclosure Openings. All new construction and substantial improvements, fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor that are usable solely for parking of vehicles, building access or storage in an area other than a basement 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 floodwaters. Designs for meeting this requirement must either be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect or must meet or exceed the following minimum criteria:

A minimum of two (2) openings, having a total net area of not less than one (1) square inch for every square foot of enclosed area subject to flooding, shall be provided.

The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one (1) foot above grade.

Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers or other coverings or devices, provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.

§ 33-5.2 Specific Standards.

[Ord. No. O.1739-2010]

In all areas of special flood hazard where base flood elevation data have been provided as set forth in subsection 33-3.2, Basis for Establishing the Areas of Special Flood Hazard or in subsection 33-4.3b, Use of Other Base Flood Data, the following standards are required:

Residential Construction.

New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement together with the attendant utilities and sanitary facilities, elevated to or above base flood elevation.

Within any AO zone on the municipality's FIRM that all new construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated above the highest adjacent grade at least as high as the depth number specified in feet (at least two (2) feet if no depth number is specified). And, require adequate drainage paths around structures on slopes to guide floodwaters around and away from proposed structures.

Nonresidential Construction. In an area of special flood hazard, all new construction and substantial improvement of any commercial, industrial or other nonresidential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement together with the attendant utilities and sanitary facilities:

Either:

(a)

Elevated to the level of the base flood elevation; and

(b)

Within any AO zone on the municipality's FIRM that all new construction and substantial improvement of any commercial, industrial or other nonresidential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated above the highest adjacent grade at least as high as the depth number specified in feet (at least two (2) feet if no depth number is specified). And, require adequate drainage paths around structures on slopes to guide floodwaters around and away from proposed structures.

Or:

(a)

Be floodproofed so that below the base flood level 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 professional engineer or architect that the design and methods of construction are in accordance with accepted standards of practice for meeting the applicable provisions of this subsection. Such certification shall be provided to the official as set forth in subsection 33-4.3c2(b).

Manufactured Homes.

Manufactured homes shall be anchored in accordance with subsection 33-5.1a2.

All manufactured homes to be placed or substantially improved within an area of special flood hazard shall be elevated on a permanent foundation such that the top of the lowest floor is at or above the base flood elevation.

§ 33-5.3 Floodways.

[Ord. No. O.1739-2010]

Located within areas of special flood hazard established in subsection 33-3.2 are areas designated as floodways. Since the floodway is an extremely hazardous area due to the velocity of floodwaters which carry debris, potential projectiles and erosion potential, the following provisions apply:

Prohibit encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements and other development unless a technical evaluation demonstrates that encroachment shall not result in any increase in flood levels during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.

If subsection 33-5.3a is satisfied, all new construction and substantial improvements must comply with Section 33-5, Provisions for Flood Hazard Reduction.

In all areas of special flood hazard in which base flood elevation data has been provided and no floodway has been designated, the cumulative effect 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 two-tenths (0.2) of a foot at any point.