[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough
of Somerville: Art. I, 3-15-76 as Ord. No. 774; Art. II, 12-20-82 as Ord. No. 938; amended in its entirety 6-6-88 by Ord.
No. 1046. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 3-15-76 as Ord. No. 774]
All requests for information as to whether or not a particular
tract or parcel of real property in the Borough of Somerville is located
in an area which has been or may in the future be subject to flooding
shall be made in the form of a request for a flood location statement,
as hereinafter defined, and shall be accompanied by a check, money
order or cash in the amount of ten dollars ($10), which amount shall
constitute the fee for the issuance of a flood location statement.
Upon the receipt of a request for a flood location statement,
the Borough Engineer shall consult the Flood Hazard Boundary Map prepared
by the Federal Insurance Administration of the Department of Housing
and Urban Development (HUD) and any other available maps and flood
studies available to him at the borough offices. The Borough Engineer
shall also make a physical inspection of the property where he cannot
otherwise determine whether or not the property in question is or
may be subject to flooding.
When the Borough Engineer has been able to make a determination
as to whether or not the particular property is or may be subject
to flooding, then he shall issue a flood location statement which
shall indicate whether the property is located within or without the
floodway or flood hazard zone as designated on the Flood Hazard Boundary
Map prepared by the Federal Insurance Administration of the Department
of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The flood location statement
shall not constitute a guaranty that a property is or is not subject
to flooding, but shall simply constitute the Borough Engineer's
opinion as to the location of the subject property on the aforesaid
map.
[Adopted 12-20-82 as Ord. No. 938 amended in its entirety 6-6-88 by Ord.
No. 1046]
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 Borough of Somerville
does ordain as follows.
A.
The flood hazard areas of Somerville 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.
B.
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, damage uses in other areas.
Uses that are inadequately floodproofed, elevated or otherwise protected
from flood damage also contribute to the flood loss.
It is the purpose of this Article 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.
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 and sewer lines and streets and
bridges located in areas of special flood hazard.
F.
Help maintain a stable tax base by providing for the second use and
development of areas of special flood hazard so as to minimize future
flood blight areas.
G.
Ensure that potential buyers 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.
In order to accomplish its purposes, this Article includes methods
and provisions for:
A.
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.
B.
Requiring that uses vulnerable to floods, including facilities which
serve such uses, be protected against flood damage at the time of
initial construction.
C.
Controlling the alteration of natural floodplains, stream channels
and natural protective barriers, which help accommodate or channel
floodwaters.
D.
Controlling filling, grading, dredging and other development which
may increase flood damage.
E.
Preventing or regulating the construction of flood barriers which
will unnaturally divert floodwaters or which may increase flood hazards
in other areas.
A.
Unless specifically defined below, words or phrases used in this
Article shall be interpreted so as to give them the meanings they
have in common usage and to give this Article its most reasonable
application.
B.
APPEAL
AREA OF SHALLOW FLOODING
AREA OF SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD
BASE FLOOD
BASEMENT
BREAKAWAY WALL
DEVELOPMENT
ELEVATED BUILDING
FLOOD OR FLOODING
FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP (FIRM)
FLOOD INSURANCE STUDY
FLOODWAY
LOWEST FLOOR
MANUFACTURED HOME
NEW CONSTRUCTION
START OF CONSTRUCTION
STRUCTURE
SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT
(1)
(2)
VARIANCE
As used in this Article, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
A request for a review of the Borough Engineer's interpretation
of any provision of this Article or a request for a variance.
A designated AO or VO Zone on the Flood Insurance Rate Map
(FIRM). The base flood depths range from one (1) to three (3) feet;
a clearly defined channel does not exist; the path of flooding is
unpredictable and indeterminate; and, velocity flow may be evident.
The land in the floodplain within a community subject to
a one-percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year.
The flood having a one-percent chance of being equaled or
exceeded in any given year.
Any area of the building having its floor subgrade (below
ground level) on all sides.
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.
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.
A nonbasement building built, in the case of a building,
in an area of special flood hazard, to have the top of the elevated
floor or, in the case of a building in a coastal high-hazard area,
to have the bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member of the
elevated floor elevated above the ground level by means of piling,
columns (posts and piers) or shear walls parallel to the flow of the
water and adequately anchored so as not to impair the structural integrity
of the building during a flood of 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. In areas of coastal high hazard, "elevated
building" also includes a building otherwise meeting the definition
of "elevated building" even though the lower area is enclosed by means
of breakaway walls.
A general and temporary condition of partial or complete
inundation of normally dry land areas from:
The Official Map on which the Federal Insurance Administration
has delineated both the areas of special flood hazard and the risk
premium zones applicable to the community.
The Official Report provided in the Federal Insurance Administration
has provided flood profiles, as well as the Flood Boundary - Floodway
Map and the water surface elevation of the base flood.
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.
The lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area, including the
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 to render the
structure in violation of other applicable nonelevation design requirements.
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 connected to the required utilities. For
floodplain management purposes, the term "manufactured home" also
includes park trailers, travel trailers and other similar vehicles
placed on a site for greater than one hundred eighty (180) consecutive
days. For insurance purposes, the term "manufactured home" does not
include park trailers, travel trailers and other similar vehicles.
Structures for which the start of construction commenced
on or after the effective date of this Article.
For other than new construction or substantial improvements
under the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (P.L. 97-348), includes substantial
improvement and means the date the building permit was issued, provided
the actual start of construction, repair, reconstruction, 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.
A walled and roofed building, a manufactured home or a gas
or liquid storage tank that is principally above ground.
Any repair, reconstruction or improvement of a structure,
the cost of which equals or exceeds fifty percent (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 occur 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:
Any project for improvement of a structure to comply with existing
state or local health, sanitary or safety code specifications which
are solely necessary to assure safe living conditions; or
Any alteration of a structure listed on the National Register
of Historic Places or a State Inventory of Historic Places.
A grant of relief from the requirements of this Article which
permits construction in a manner that would otherwise be prohibited
by this Article.
This Article shall apply to all areas of special flood hazard
within the jurisdiction of the Borough of Somerville.
The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal
Insurance Administration in a scientific and engineering report entitled
the "Flood Insurance Study for the Borough of Somerville," with accompanying
Flood Insurance Rate Maps and Flood Boundary - Floodway Maps are hereby
adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this Article. The
Flood Insurance Study is on file at the Somerville Borough Engineer's
office.
A.
No structure or land shall hereafter be constructed, located, extended,
converted or altered without full compliance with the terms of this
Article and other applicable regulations. Violation of the provisions
of this Article by failure to comply with any of its requirements,
including violations of conditions and safeguards established in connection
with conditions, shall constitute a misdemeanor.
B.
Any person who violates this Article or fails to comply with any
of its requirements shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not more
than one thousand dollars ($1,000) or imprisoned for not more than
thirty (30) days, or both, for each violation and, in addition shall
pay all costs and expenses involved in the case. Nothing herein contained
shall prevent the Borough of Somerville from taking such other lawful
action as is necessary to prevent or remedy any violation.
This Article is not intended to repeal, abrogate or impair any
existing easements, covenants or deed restrictions. However, where
this Article and other ordinances, easements, covenants or deed restrictions
conflict or overlap, whichever imposes the more stringent restrictions
shall prevail.
In the interpretation and application of this Article, all provisions
shall be:
A.
The degree of flood protection required by this Article 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 Article does not imply that land outside the areas of special
flood hazard or uses permitted within such areas will be free from
flooding or flood damages.
B.
This Article shall not create liability on the part of the Borough
of Somerville, any officer or employee thereof or the Federal Insurance
Administration for any flood damages that result from reliance on
this Article or any administrative decision lawfully made thereunder.
A development permit shall be obtained before construction or development begins with any area of special flood hazard established in § 82-10. Application for a development permit shall be made on forms furnished by the Borough 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:
A.
Elevation in relation to mean sea level of the lowest floor, including
the basement, of all structures.
B.
Elevation in relation to mean sea level to which any structure has
been floodproofed.
C.
Certification by a registered professional engineer or architect that the floodproofing methods for any nonresidential structure meet the floodproofing criteria in § 82-20B.
D.
A description of the extent to which any watercourse will be altered
or relocated as a result of proposed development.
The Borough Engineer and the Construction Code Official are
hereby jointly appointed to administer and implement this Article
by granting or denying development permit applications in accordance
with its provisions.
Duties of the administrative officer shall include but not be
limited to:
A.
Permit review. The administrative officer shall:
(1)
Review all development permits to determine that the permit requirements
of this Article have been satisfied.
(2)
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.
B.
Use of other base flood and floodway data. When base flood elevation and floodway data has not been provided in accordance with § 82-10, Basis for establishing areas of special flood hazard, the Borough 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 § 82-20A and § 82-20B.
C.
Information to be obtained and maintained. The administrative officer
shall:
(1)
Obtain and record the actual elevation (in relation to mean sea level)
of the lowest floor, including the basement, of all new or substantially
improved structures, and whether or not the structure contains a basement.
(3)
Maintain for public inspection all records pertaining to the provisions
of this Article.
D.
Alteration of watercourses. The administrative officer shall:
(1)
Notify adjacent communities and the New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection prior to any alteration or relocation of a watercourse
and submit evidence of such notification to the Federal Insurance
Administration.
(2)
Require that maintenance is provided with the altered or relocated
portion of said watercourse so that the floodcarrying capacity is
not diminished.
E.
Interpretation of FIRM boundaries. The administrative officer shall 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 § 82-18.
A.
Appeal board.
(1)
The Somerville Planning Board or the Somerville Board of Adjustment,
as established by Mayor and Council of the Borough of Somerville,
may hear and decide appeals and requests for variances from the requirements
of this Article.
(2)
The jurisdiction of the variance application created by this Article
shall be with the Board, which has jurisdiction over the particular
application for development (either the Planning Board or Board of
Adjustment) as the case may be. If the application for development
only requests a variance for relief from the terms of this Article
and no other relief, jurisdiction shall be with the Somerville Board
of Adjustment. The Somerville Planning Board or the Somerville 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 Borough Engineer in the enforcement or administration of this
Article.
(3)
Those aggrieved by the decision of the Somerville Planning Board
or the Somerville Board of Adjustment or any taxpayer may appeal such
decision to the Superior Court Law Division.
(4)
In passing upon such applications, the Somerville Planning Board
or the Somerville Board of Adjustment shall consider all technical
evaluations, all relevant factors, standards specified in other sections
of this Article and:
(a)
The danger that materials may be swept onto other lands to the
injury of others.
(b)
The danger of 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.
(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.
(5)
Upon consideration of the factors of Subsection A(4) and the purposes of this Article, the Somerville Planning Board or the Somerville Board of Adjustment may attach such conditions to the granting of variances as it deems necessary to further the purposes of this Article.
(6)
The administrative officer shall maintain the records of all appeal
actions, including technical information, and report any variances
to the Federal Insurance Administration upon request.
B.
Conditions for variances.
(1)
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 Subsection A(4)(a), Subsection A(4)(b), Subsection A(4)(c), Subsection A(4)(d), Subsection A(4)(e), Subsection A(4)(f), Subsection A(4)(g), Subsection A(4)(h), Subsection A(4)(i), Subsection A(4)(j) and Subsection A(4)(k) has been fully considered. As the lot size increases beyond the one-half (1/2) acre, the technical justification required for issuing the variance increases.
(2)
Variances may be issued for the reconstruction, rehabilitation or
restoration of structures listed on the National Register of Historic
Places or the State Inventory of Historic Places, without regard to
the procedures set forth in the remainder of this section.
(3)
Variances shall not be issued within any designated floodway if any
increase in flood levels during the base flood discharge would result.
(4)
Variances shall only be issued upon a determination that the variance
offers a viable, practical and reasonable solution, considering the
flood hazard, to afford relief.
(5)
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.
(c)
A determination that the granting of a variance will not result in increased flood heights, additional threats to public safety or extraordinary public expense; create nuisances; cause fraud on or victimization of the public as identified in Subsection A(4); or conflict with existing local laws or ordinances.
(6)
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.
In all areas of special flood hazard, 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 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.
B.
Construction materials and methods.
C.
Utilities.
(1)
All new and replacement water supply systems shall be designed to
minimize or eliminate infiltration of floodwaters into the system.
(2)
New and replacement sanitary sewage systems shall be designed to
minimize or eliminate infiltration of floodwaters into the systems
and discharge from the systems into floodwaters.
(3)
On-site waste disposal systems shall be located to avoid impairment
to them or contamination from them during flooding.
(4)
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.
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 which contain at least fifty (50)
lots or five (5) acres, whichever is less.
E.
Enclosure openings. For all new construction and substantial improvements,
fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor that 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:
(1)
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.
(2)
The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one (1) foot above
grade.
(3)
Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers or other coverings
or devices, provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit
of floodwaters.
In all areas of special flood hazard where base flood elevation data have been provided as set forth in § 82-10, Basis for establishing areas of special flood hazard, or in § 82-17B, Use of other base flood data, the following standards are required:
A.
Residential construction. New construction and substantial improvement
of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including
the basement, elevated to or above base flood elevation.
B.
Nonresidential construction. New construction and substantial improvement
of any commercial, industrial or other nonresidential structure shall
either have the lowest floor, including the basement, elevated to
the level of the base flood elevation or shall:
(1)
Be floodproofed so that below the base flood level the structure
is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage
of water.
(2)
Have structural components capable of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic
loads and effects of buoyancy.
(3)
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 § 82-17C(2).
C.
Manufactured homes.
Located within areas of special flood hazard established in § 82-10 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:
A.
Encroachment, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements
and other development shall be prohibited, unless a technical evaluation
demonstrates that encroachment shall not result in any increase in
flood levels during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.
C.
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.
