[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
A. Purpose. The purpose of the Floodplain District (FP) is to prevent development in areas unfit therefore by reason of flooding; to minimize danger to public health by protecting water supply and natural drainage to promote the health, safety, and welfare of residents and property owners in or near streams and areas subject to flooding; and to provide for the preservation of natural drainage ways while providing for such uses and development as are compatible with these objectives.
B. Definition of district. The Floodplain District (FP) is defined and established to the low area adjoining and including any water or drainage course or body of water subject to periodic flooding or overflow and delineated as:
(1) "Alluvial Soils" by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture, in the Soil Survey of Juniata County, Pennsylvania, as amended.
(2) "Flood Hazard Boundary Map" for the Township by the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
(3) Zoning Map. The FP Floodplain District, as herinabove defined, shall be included by reference to the documents and mapping described in §
175-21B which is hereby made a part of this chapter. For the purpose of defining the application of the Map to any specific area, the maps data and other sources of material described in §
175-21B shall be available and shall be proof of the intended limits of the FP Floodplain District. Any change in the FP Floodplain District as may from time to time be determined to be proper as further information becomes available shall be forthwith reflected on said documents and maps.
C. Permitted uses. A lot or parcel may be used and a building or structure may be erected and used for any of the following purposes. The proposed use shall comply with all applicable bulk and area regulations of this section, and any applicable supplemental regulations provided for in Article
VI of this chapter.
(1) Forestry, lumbering and reforestation, excluding storage and structures related to the harvesting of lumber products.
(2) Horticultural uses related to the raising and propagating of shrubs, flowers and other vegetative materials.
(3) Activities related to the preservation of natural amenities.
(4) Public and private recreation facilities, including golf courses, but excluding structures.
(5) Agricultural uses related to the tilling of the land, the raising of farm products, the raising and keeping of horses, cattle and other livestock, and the raising of poultry and poultry products, excluding structures.
(6) Wildlife sanctuary, woodland preserves, arboretum.
(7) Game farm, fish hatchery, hunting and fishing reserves, excluding structures.
(8) Pasture and grazing land.
(9) Front, side, or rear yards and required lot area for any district.
D. Special exception uses. The following uses may be permitted under the criteria and procedures listed in accordance with this section, §
175-53 of this chapter and any supplemental regulations as provided for in Article
VI of this chapter.
(2) Dams, culverts, and bridges approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection if it has jurisdiction over the watershed in question, or by the governmental agency exercising jurisdiction over the watershed.
(3) Paved roads and driveways.
(4) Impounding basins and storm sewers.
(5) Retaining walls, provided that a detailed engineering drawing shall accompany any application for special exception, and provided further that an appeal for a special exception be combined with a simultaneous appeal for reclassification from Floodplain District to the use district of the principal building or the lot or parcel for which the retaining wall application is being made.
(6) Other uses similar to Subsection
D(1) through
(5) above, provided the use will not substantially alter the cross-sectional profile of the stream basin at the point of the proposed construction or use.
(7) Sanitary sewage pumping stations.
E. Prohibited uses.
(1) All structures and buildings with the exception of those specifically allowed in §
175-21C and
D.
(2) The filling of marshlands, removal of topsoil or damming or relocation of any watercourses except with the approval of the Township Planning Commission and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
(3) Sanitary landfill, dump, junkyard, outdoor storage of vehicles and/or materials.
(4) On-site sewage disposal systems.
(5) Any substantial alteration of the cross-sectional profile of a stream basin.
F. Area and bulk regulations. No minimum lot size shall be required for the permitted and special exception uses except as otherwise provided herein.
G. Off-street parking regulations. Off-street parking, loading and unloading shall be provided in accordance with Article
VIII.
H. Sign regulations. Signage shall be provided in accordance with Article
VII of this chapter.
I. Standards and criteria for special exceptions and variances. In addition to the provisions of §
175-33, in hearing and deciding upon special exceptions and/or variances to be granted or denied under the provisions of this district, the Zoning Hearing Board shall also determine that the following standards and criteria have been complied with:
(1) That the granting of a special exception or variance will not result in any of the following:
(a) Increases in flood heights;
(b) Additional threats to public health or safety;
(c) Extraordinary public expense;
(e) Fraud or victimization of the public; or
(f) Conflict with any other applicable Federal, State or local regulations.
(2) That the proposed special exception or variance exhibits all of the following characteristics:
(a) Provides an important and needed service to the community;
(b) Requires a waterfront location;
(c) Cannot be sited at an alternate location not subject to flooding; and
(d) Is consistent with Comprehensive Plan for the Township of Fermanagh, most recent edition, and Floodplain Management Plan for the area.
(3) In hearing and deciding upon special exceptions to be granted or denied under the provisions of this district, the burden of proof shall be on the applicant.
(4) Whenever a variance is granted, the Board shall notify the applicant in writing that:
(a) The granting of the variance may result in increased premium rates for flood insurance; and
(b) Such variance may increase the risks to life and property;
(5) A complete record of all variance requests and actions, including justifications for granted variances, shall be maintained by the Board.
J. Design and performance standards.
(1) All authorized new construction and substantial improvements to permanent residential structures shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated to one foot above the 100-year flood elevation;
(2) All authorized new nonresidential structures or substantial improvements thereto shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated to one foot above the 100-year flood elevation or, together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, be floodproofed to that level in accordance with W-1 or W-2 standards, as contained in the publication Floodproofing Regulations, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, June 1972. All plans and specifications for such floodproofing shall be accompanied by a statement certified by a registered professional engineer or architect which states that the proposed design and methods of construction are in conformance with the above-referenced standards;
(3) All structures, including buildings, air ducts, large pipes and storage tanks shall be firmly anchored to prevent floatation, movement or collapse; and
(4) Enclosed space below the lowest floor (including basement) shall be prohibited.
K. Nonconforming uses and structures.
(1) Continuation. All uses or structures lawfully existing in the Floodplain Zone on the effective date of this section which are not in conformity with the provisions of this section shall be deemed nonconforming uses or structures. Such nonconforming uses or structures may be continued, maintained, repaired, and floodproofed, except as otherwise provided for in this section;
(2) Expansion. Nonconforming structures located within the floodway shall not be expanded or enlarged if any increase in the 100-year flood elevation would result; and
(3) Replacement or repair. A nonconforming structure may be replaced, repaired or reconstructed if it damaged or destroyed to the extent of less than 50% of its fair market value, provided that the nonconformity of the new structure shall not exceed that of the original structure. A nonconforming structure which is damaged or destroyed to the extent of 50% or more of its fair market value may be replaced, repaired or reconstructed only if:
(a) Such replacement, repair or reconstruction is in full compliance with the provisions of this district, or
(b) In the case of historic structures, the Zoning Hearing Board waives the requirements of this section.
L. Application procedures.
(1) Within the Floodplain District, a zoning permit shall be required for any proposed development, construction, reconstruction, placement, renovation, extension, repair or other improvement of uses or structures, and activities, such as mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving or drilling operations. Application for a zoning permit shall be filed with the Zoning Officer who shall make an initial determination on the application.
(2) Every zoning permit application within the Floodplain District shall include or be accompanied by all information necessary for the Zoning Officer to determine that the proposal meets all the provisions of this section. Included within this submission shall be copies of all necessary state and federal permits. The following information is specifically required:
(a) The elevation, in relation to mean sea level, of the lowest floor (including basement);
(b) Whether or not the structure includes a basement;
(c) If the structure is to be floodproofed, the elevation (in relation to mean sea level) to which the structure is to be floodproofed; and
(d) If the structure is to be floodproofed, a document certified by a registered professional engineer or architect certifying that the floodproofing methods used meet the provisions of this district.
M. Municipal liability. The degree of flood protection sought by the provisions of this district is considered reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on acceptable engineering studies. Larger floods may occur on rare occasions. Flood heights may be increased by man-made or natural causes, such as ice jams and bridge openings restricted by debris. This district does not imply that areas outside the Floodplain District or that land uses permitted within this district will be free from flooding or flood damage. These district provisions shall not create liability on the part of the Township of Fermanagh or any officer or employee thereof for any flood damages that result from reliance on the provisions of this district or any administrative decision lawfully made thereunder.