02-06-1986 Planning and Zoning Commission Emergency Called Meeting

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f ~ • Page Two February 6, 1986 . Planning & Zoning Commission ANALYSIS The 100-year flood plain is over a 1/2 mile wide and the floodway is over 1100 feet wide in this reach of Little Cedar Bayou (See Figure 1). Maximum depth of flooding in the floodway is under nine feet. However, on Block 653, 100-year flooding is under half a foot. The proposed Anthony Crane building will present an obstruction of 84 feet of flood plain width. If we assume, conservatively, that the obstruction does not cause an 84' increase in flood plain width at this point, the flood waters will rise about 1/2 inch. However, it is more likely that the width of the flood plain will increase and the rise i.n flood waters will be negligible. The City and Harris County Flood Control District are funding major channel improvements to Little Cedar Bayou. When those improvements are complete (1987-88 time frame), in all likelihood, this property will be little affected by 100-year flooding. The "two feet above BFE" rule was incorporated in the Ordinance in response to a 1983 FEMA recommendation designed to partially • compensate for flood plain development and subsidence since 1973. Figure 2 shows this approach to be too conservative (and more costly for the developer), at least for• this property. Staff is considering recommending amending the Ordinance to ease this restriction. No direct expenditure of public funds will be required because of this construction. Further, it should cause no adverse impact on public safety, health, or similar public interests. The developer will be required to comply with all other City Ordinances. CONCLUSIONS The developer has satisfied all conditions of Ordinance 1+52 for granting of a 1.1 foot variance for the finished floor elevation below the 2.0 foot above BFE required by that Ordinance. RECOMMENDATION Grant the 1.1 foot variance. C