O-2004-2714 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Requested By: COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM Agenda Date Requested: A ril12 2004 Appropriation Source of Funds: Department: Planning Account Number: Report: Resolution: Ordinance: x Amount Budgeted: Exhibit 1: Ordinance Amount Requested: Exhibit 2: City Survey Budgeted Item: YES NO SUMMARY & RECOMMENDATION The City of La Porte's Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance 1533-A as passed in October 1996 met the minimum standards that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) required for participation in the National Flood Insurance Policy (NFIP). Being minimum standards, there was no provision in the ordinance that accounted for any affect to the floodplain or the corresponding waterway that future floodplain development could have on potentially at-risk structures. The current ordinance states that structures be built to the base flood elevation. There is some confusion as to whether that means the existing base flood elevation or the ultimate base flood elevation. As such, the attached ordinance seeks to install a "freeboard" requirement and require that the finished floor elevation for residential habitable structures be elevated one foot above the base flood elevation as it was mapped in 1996. "Freeboard" in this case can be considered a factor of safety or buffer over and above the minimum existing base flood elevation. Installing a freeboard requirement and going above and beyond the minimum standards required by FEMA will allow the City of La Porte to claim credit under the Community Rating System (CRS) and allow for a greater discount in the flood insurance for area homeowners. Currently the City's CRS rating is an 8 which gives La Porte resident's a 10010 discount on their flood insurance. Instituting this 1 foot freeboard will lower the city to a 7 rating allowing homeowners to realize a 15% discount. Higher freeboard requirements of 1.5 feet or greater will likely result in greater discounts on resident's flood insurance premiums. A survey of 16 other Harris County area cities showed that 14 of the 16 did, in fact. have a freeboard requirement. La Porte did not. Per the Assistant City Attorney a public hearing is not required. Action Reauired bv Council: Consider an ordinance amending specific sections of Chapter 94 of the Code of Ordinances hereafter to be called Ordinance. Approved for City Council A2enda +~ -(JV Date