A development permit shall be obtained before construction or development begins within any area of special flood hazard established in § 143-5. Application for a development permit shall be made on forms furnished by the Zoning Official 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 basement) of all structures;
B.
Elevation in relation to mean sea level to which any
structure has been floodproofed; and
C.
Description of the extent to which any watercourse
will be altered or relocated as a result of proposed development.
The Zoning Official is hereby appointed to administer
and implement this chapter by granting or denying development permit
applications in accordance with its provisions, subject to review
and approval of the Township Engineer. All engineering review costs
shall be the sole responsibility of the applicant.
Duties of the Zoning Official shall include,
but not be limited to:
A.
Permit review. The Zoning Official shall:
(1)
Review all development permits to determine that the
permit requirements of this chapter 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 § 143-5, the Zoning Official shall obtain, review, and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation and floodway data available from a federal, state or other source.
C.
Information to be obtained and maintained. The Zoning
Official shall:
(1)
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.
(2)
Maintain for public inspection all records pertaining
to the provisions of this chapter.
D.
Alteration of watercourses. The Zoning Official shall:
(1)
Notify adjacent communities and the New Jersey Department
of Environmental Protection, Dam Safety and Flood Control Section,
and the Land Use Regulation Program 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 within the altered
or relocated portion of said watercourse so the flood-carrying capacity
is not diminished.
E.
Interpretation of FIRM boundaries. The Zoning Official shall: make interpretations, where needed, as to the exact location of the boundaries of the areas of special flood hazards (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 § 143-13.
