12-19-1996 Public Hearing and Regular Meeting of the La Porte Planning and Zoning Commission

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• • #FV97-001 Page 3 of 8 1/16/97 Prevent or regulate the construction of flood barriers which will unnaturally divert flood waters of which may increase flood hazards to other lands. Analysis: The following procedures for Variance are from Ordinance 1533. The Variance Procedure was reviewed and approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Variance Procedures (1) The Planning and Zoning Commission of La Porte, as appointed and established by the City Council of La Porte, is designated the Appeal Board and shall hear and render judgement on requests for variances from the requirements of this ordinance. (2) The Appeal Board shall hear and render judgement on an appeal only when it is alleged there is an error in any requirement, decision, or determination made by the Floodplain Administrator in the enforcement or administration of this Ordinance. (3) Any person or persons aggrieved by the decision of the Appeal Board may appeal such decision in the courts of competent jurisdiction. (4) The Floodplain Administrator shall maintain a record of all actions involving an appeal and shall report variances to the Federal Emergency Management Agency upon request. (5) 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 Ordinance. (6) Variances may be issued for new construction and substantial improvements to be erected on a lot of one-half acre or less in size continuous to and surrounded by lots with existing structures constructed below the base flood level, providing the relevant factors in this Article have been fully considered. As the lot size increases beyond the one-half acre, the technical justification required for issuing the variance increases.