06-23-08 Drainage and Flooding Committee Minutes

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Many communities in flat areas with drainage problems require all new buildings to have their lowest floors elevated a specified height above the street. This allows the streets to collect and store stormwater that cannot drain away fast enough, without flooding homes. Ironically, neighborhood covenants or deed restrictions regulating development within a subdivision are intended to help the neighborhood maintain a sense of solidarity, distinct character, and residential quality. In certain instances, these deed restrictions may hinder residents' plans for a flood mitigation project. The Brookglen Deed Restrictions state that all structures must have a slab foundation and should look similar with respect to the fInished grade elevation. Also, the deed restrictions prohibit walls erected in front of the required minimum building setback. According to these guidelines, neither a slab home elevated on fill nor a floodwall would be allowed in the Brookglen neighborhood. The homeowners association can amend these covenants to allow for mitigation measures and continue to maintain a positive, unified neighborhood look by promoting crawlspace elevated foundations and allowing small floodwalls in front yards. VIT. Flood Insurance Although not a mitigation measure that reduces property damage from a flood, an insurance policy from the National Flood Insurance Program has the following advantages for the homeowner: . A flood insurance policy reduces a homeowner's financial expenses when flooding occurs. . It is an excellent "backup" for a floodwall or elevation project where the flood is higher than the protection level as it helps absorb the fInancial risk. . The repetitive, shallow, flooding is unlikely to reach conditions severe enough for a disaster declaration, which allows for additional fInancial support. Therefore, flood insurance may be the only source of assistance to help owners of damaged property pay for cleanup and repairs. . Once the policy goes into effect there is no need for human intervention except to pay the prermum. . Coverage is available for the contents of a home as well as for the structure. . Renters can buy contents coverage, even if the building owner does not buy coverage for the structure itself. Cost: Flood insurance rates are based on several factors including whether or not the building falls in an AE or X flood zone, and if the building is considered a Pre- or Post-FIRM building. Homes in the X zone have lower flood insurance rates than those in the AE zone, because the X zone is supposed to indicate a lower risk from flooding. Many homes in the study area are in an X zone. La Porte homes constructed before February 17, 1971 are "pre-FIRM" buildings, which means that they were built before the date of the first FIRM for the community, and are thus eligible for the "subsidized" flood insurance premium rates. A post-FIRM building - which is a Brookglen Area Analysis - DRAFT 24 9/8/2008