HomeMy WebLinkAboutFINAL ORDINANCE NO. 80-84CITY OF LAKE ELMO
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA
ORDINANCE 80-84
AN ORDINANCE ADDING SECTION 303.020 C. 3. AND SECTION 303.100 B, AND
AMENDING SECTION 303.050 E.2. AND SECTION 303.080 C. OF THE 1979 LAKE
ELMO MUNICIPAL CODE AS IT RELATES TO FLOODPLAIN REGULATIONS
The City Council of the City of Lake Elmo ordains:
SECTION 1. AMENDMENT: Section 303.020 C.3. and Section 303.100 B. are
hereby added to the 1979 Municipal Code of the City of Lake Elmo; and Section
303.050 E.2. and Section 303.080 C. hereby amended the 1979 Municipal Code of the
City of Lake Elmo all relating to Floodplain Regulations, and will read as follows:
Section 303.020 C.3. Permitted and conditional uses allowed in the floodplain shall
be limited to those only listed in Section 303.050, and only under the standards and
conditions which are also stated herein. Where it is alleged that there is an error in any
order, requirement, decision or determination made by the Zoning Administrator, an
appeal may be made to the Board of Adjustment and Appeals who shall follow the rules
and procedures of Section 303.080 in making their final decision.
Section 303.050E-2. Commercial Uses - accessory land uses, such as yards, railroad
tracks, and parking lots may be at elevations lower than the Regulatory Flood
Protection Elevation. However, a permit for such facilities to be used by the employees
or the general public shall not be granted in the absence of a flood warning system that
provides adequate time for evacuation if the area would be inundated to a depth
greater than four feet per second upon occurrence of the regional flood.
Section 303.080 C. Decisions: A Board decision and their findings shall be made
according to Section 301.060 C.4. and 5. In granting a Variance the Board may
prescribe appropriate conditions and safeguards which are in conformity with the
purposes of the Floodplain Regulation. Violations of such conditions and safeguards,
when made part of the terms under which the Variance is granted, shall be deemed a
violation of the Floodplain Regulation punishable under Section 303.1 10. No Variance
shall allow in any district a use prohibited in that district or permit a lower degree of
flood protection than the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation. Variances may be
used to modify permissible methods of flood protection.
Section 303.100 B. The cost of all structural alternations or additions both inside
and outside of a structure to any nonconforming structure over the life of the structure
shall not exceed 50 percent of the market value of the structure unless the conditions
of this Section are satisfied. The cost of all structural alterations and additions and
additions constructed since the adoption of Lake Elmo's initial flood plain controls must
be calculated into today's current cost which will include all costs such as construction
materials and a reasonable cost placed on all manpower or labor. If the current cost of
all previous and proposed alterations and additions exceeds 50 percent of the current
market value of the structure, then the structure must meet the standards of Section
303.050.
SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE: This ordinance shall become effective the day
following its publication.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Lake Eo this 16th y of February, 1993.
r
Wyn john, M#8r
Attest:
Mary Kueffner, City Administrator
Published in the Stillwater Gazette on the 24th day of February, 1993.
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FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE
SECTION 303.010 STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION, FINDINGS OF FACT
AND PURPOSE
A. Statutory Authorization: The legislature of the State ofMinnesotahas, in Minnesota Statutes Chapter 103F and 462.357
delegated the responsibility to local government units to adopt
regulations designed to minimize flood losses. Therefore, the CityCouncilofLakeElmo, Minnesota does ordain as follows:
B. Findinas of Fact:
1. The flood hazard areas of Lake Elmo, Minnesota, are
subject to periodic inundation which results in potential
loss of life, loss of property, health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and governmental services, extra-
ordinary public expenditures for flood protection and relief
and impairment of the tax base, all of which adversely
affect the public health, safety, and general welfare.
2. Methods Used to Analyze Flood Hazards. This Ordinance
is based upon a reasonable method of analyzing flood hazards
which is consistent with the standards established by the
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
C. Title: The provisions of Lake Elmo code Sections 303.010
through 303.120 and amendments thereto shall be referred to as theFloodplainRegulation.
D. Statement of Purpose: It is the purpose of the Floodplain
Regulation to promote the public health, safety, and general
welfare and to minimize those losses described in Section 303.010B. by provisions contained herein.
SECTION 303.020 GENERAL PROVISIONS
A. Lands to Which Ordinance Applies: The Floodplain Regulation
shall apply to all lands within the jurisdiction of the City of
Lake Elmo shown on the City's Flood Boundary and Floodway Map and
the Flood Insurance Rate Map dated July 2, 1979 (hereinafter
Official Maps") as being located within the boundaries of the
Floodway, Flood Fringe, or General Floodplain Districts. These
Official Maps are hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a
part of the Floodplain Regulation.
B. Reaulatory Flood Protection Elevation: The Regulatory Flood
Protection Elevation shall be an elevation no lower than one foot
above the elevation of the regional flood plus any increases in
flood elevation caused by encroachments on the floodplain that
result from designation of a floodway.
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C. _Interpretation:
1. In their interpretation and application, the provisions
of the Floodplain Regulation shall be held to be minimum
requirements and shall be liberally construed in favor of
the City of Lake Elmo and shall not be deemed a limitation or
repeal of any other powers granted by State Statutes.
2. Where interpretation is needed as to the exact location
of the boundary of the floodplain district as shown on theOfficialMaps, as for example where there appears to be a
conflict between a mapped boundary and actual field conditions
and there is a formal appeal of the decision of the ZoningAdministrator, the Board of Adjustment shall make the
necessary interpretation. All decisions will be based on
elevations on the regional (100 -year) flood profile and other
available technical data. Persons contesting the location of
the district boundaries shall be given a reasonable
opportunity to present their case to the Board and to submit
technical evidence.
3. Permitted and conditional uses allowed in the floodplain
shall be limited to those only listed in Section 303.050,
and only under the standards and conditions which are also
stated herein. Where it is alleged that there is an error in
any order, requirement, decision or determination made by theZoningAdministrator, an appeal may be made to the board of
Adjustment and Appeals who shall follow the rules and
procedures of Section 303.080 in making their final decision.
Amended by Ord. 80-84, February 16, 1993.)
D. Abrogation and Greater Restrictions: The provisions of the
Floodplain Regulation are not intended to repeal, abrogate, or
impair any existing easements, covenants, or deed restrictions.
However, where the Floodplain Regulation imposes greater
restrictions, the provisions of the Floodplain Regulation shall
prevail. All other Ordinances inconsistent with the Floodplain
Regulation are hereby repealed to the extent of the inconsistency
only.
E. Warning and Disclaimer of Liability: The Floodplain
Regulation does not imply that areas outside the floodplain
districts or land uses permitted within such districts will be free
from flooding or flood damages. The Floodplain Regulation shall
not create liability on the part of the City of Lake Elmo or any
officer or employee thereof for any flood damages that result from
reliance on the Floodplain Regulation or any administrative
decision lawfully made thereunder.
F. Severability: If any section, clause, provision, or portion
of the Floodplain Regulation is adjudged unconstitutional orinvalidbyacourtofcompetentjurisdiction, the remainder of the
Floodplain Regulation shall not be affected thereby.
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SECTION 303.030 DEFINITIONS
Unless specifically defined below, words or phrases used in this
Section shall be interpreted so as to give them the same meaning astheyhaveincommonusageandsoastogivetheFloodplain
Regulation its most reasonable application. In the event that a
definition in Section 301.040 is different than the definitionherein, the definition found in this Section shall apply.
Accessory Use or Structure - a use or structure on the same lot
with, and of a nature customarily incidental and subordinate to,
the principal use or structure.
Basement - means any area of a structure, including crawl spaces,
having its floor or base subgrade (below ground level) on all four
sides, regardless of the depth of excavation below ground level.
Conditional Use - means a specific type of structure or land use
listed in this ordinance that may be allowed, but only after an in-
depth review procedure, and with appropriate conditions or
restrictions as provided in Section 301.060 C. of the City Code.
Equal Degree of Encroachment - a method of determining the location
of floodway boundaries so that floodplain lands on both sides of a
stream are capable of conveying a proportionate share of flood
flows.
Finished Fill - means soil compaction area and the final grade
outside the wall and foundation of a structure.
Flood - a temporary increase in the flow or stage of a stream or in
the stage of a wetland or lake that results in the inundation of
normally dry areas.
Flood Frequency - the frequency for which it is expected that a
specific flood stage or discharge may be equalled or exceeded.
Flood Fringe - that portion of the floodplain outside of the
floodway. Flood fringe is synonymous with the term "floodwayfringe" used in the Flood Insurance Study for the City of LakeElmo.
Floodplain - the beds proper and the areas adjoining a wetland,
lake or watercourse which have been or hereafter may be covered bytheregional100 -year flood.
Flood -Proofing - a combination of structural provisions, changes,
or adjustments to properties and structures subject to flooding, primarily for the reduction or elimination of flood damages.
Floodway - the bed of a wetland or lake and the channel of a water-
course and those portions of the adjoining floodplain which are
reasonably required to carry or store the regional flood discharge.
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Obstruction - any dam, wall, wharf, embankment, levee, dike, pile,
abutment, projection, excavation, channel modification, culvert, building, wire, fence, stockpile, refuse, fill, structure, ormatterin, along, across, or projecting into any channel, water-
course, or regulatory floodplain which may impede, retard, or
change the direction of the flow of water, either in itself or by
catching or collecting debris carried by such water.
Principal Use or Structure - means all uses or structures that are
not accessory uses or structures.
Reach - a hydraulic engineering term to describe a longitudinal
segment of a stream or river influenced by a natural or man-made
obstruction. In an urban area, the segment of a stream or river
between two consecutive bridge crossings would most typicallyconstituteareach.
Regional Flood - a flood which is representative of large floods
known to have occurred generally in Minnesota and reasonably
characteristic of what can be expected to occur on an average
frequency in the magnitude of the 100 -year recurrence interval.
Regional flood is synonymous with the term "base flood" used in the
Flood Insurance Study.
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation - The Regulatory Flood
Protection Elevation shall be an elevation no lower than one foot
above the elevation of the regional flood plus any increases in
flood elevation caused by encroachments on the floodplain that
result from designation of a floodway.
Structure - anything constructed or erected on the ground or
attached to the ground or on-site utilities, including, but notlimitedto, buildings, factories, sheds, detached garages, cabins,
manufactured homes and other similar items.
Variance - means a modification of a specific permitted development
standard required in this ordinance to allow an alternative
development standard not stated as acceptable in the official
control, but only as applied to a particular property for the
purpose of alleviating a hardship as defined in Section 301.060 C.
Economic considerations alone shall not constitute a hardship.
SECTION 303.040 ESTABLISHMENT OF FLOODPLAIN DISTRICT
A. Designation of the Floodplain District: The Flood Insurance
Study for the City of Lake Elmo prepared by the FEMA and dated
January, 1979 and the Flood Boundary and Floodway Map and FloodInsuranceRateMap, both dated July 2, 1979 (hereinafter referred
to as the "Official Maps") contained therein are hereby adopted byreferenceanddeclaredtobeapartofhisordinance. The Flood
Insurance Study shall be on file in the office of the City Clerk. The Floodplain District for the City of Lake Elmo shall include
those areas which lie within the 100 -year Flood Boundary on theFloodInsuranceRateMapdatedJuly2, 1979.
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B. Compliance: No new structure or land shall hereafter be usedandnostructureshallbelocated, extended, converted, or
structurally altered without full compliance with the terms of the
Floodplain Regulation and other applicable regulations which applytouseswithinthejurisdictionoftheFloodplainRegulation. In
addition, a caution is provided here that:
1. Modifications, additions, structural alterations or
repair after damage to existing nonconforming structures
and nonconforming uses of structures or land are regulated
by the general provisions of the Floodplain Regulation and
specifically Section 303.100; and
2. As -built elevations for elevated or flood -proofed
structures must be certified by a registered professional
engineer or architect as specified in the general provisions
of the Floodplain Regulation and specifically as stated in
Section 303.070.
SECTION 303.050 FLOODPLAIN DISTRICT
A. Permitted Uses: The following uses have a low flood damage
potential and do not obstruct flood flows. These uses shall be
permitted to the extent that they are not prohibited by any other
ordinance and provided they do not require structures, fill, or
storage of materials or equipment. In addition, no use shall
adversely affect the capacity of the channels or floodways or anytributarytothemainstreamorofanydrainageditch, or any otherdrainagefacilityorsystem.
1. Agricultural uses such as general farming, pasture,
grazing, outdoor plant nurseries, horticulture, truck
farming, forestry, sod farming and wild crop harvesting.
2. Private and public recreational uses such as golf courses,
tennis courts, golf driving ranges, archery ranges, picnic
grounds, boat launching ramps, swimming area, parks, wildlife
and nature preserves hunting and fishing area, and single or
multiple purpose recreational trails.
3. Residential uses such as lawns, gardens, parking area, and
play areas.
B. standards for Floodplain Permitted Uses:
1. The use shall have a low flood damage
susceptibility.
2. The use shall be permissible in the underlying zoningdistrict.
3. The use shall not obstruct flood flows or increase flood
r elevations and shall not involve structures, fill,
obstructions, excavations or storage of materials or
equipment.
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4. New or replacement on-site sewage treatment systems must
be designed to eliminate infiltration of flood waters into the
systems and discharges from the systems into flood waters and
they shall not be subject to impairment of contaminationduringtimesofflooding. Any sewage treatment system
designed in accordance with the City's and State's current
state-wide standards whichever is more restrictive for on-site
sewage treatment systems shall be determined to be in
compliance with this Section.
C. ConditionalUses:
1. Railroads, bridges, utility transmission lines, and
pipelines.
2. Structural works for flood control such as levees, dikes
and floodwalls constructed to any height where the intent is
to protect individual structures and levees or dikes where the
intent is to protect agricultural crops for a frequency flood
event equal to or less than the 10 -year frequency flood event.
3. Alterations and/or additions to existing principal
structures, located in the flood fringe portion of the flood
plain district which are elevated on fill so that the lowest
floor including basement floor is at or above the RegulatoryFloodProtectionElevation. The finished fill elevation for
structures shall be no lower than the Regulatory Flood
Protection Elevation and the fill shall extend at such
elevation at least fifteen (15) feet beyond the outside limits
of the structure erected thereon. Such construction must
comply with the requirements of Section 303.050.D.
D. Standards for Floodplain Conditional Uses:
1. All Uses. No structure (temporary or permanent), fill
including fill for roads and levees), deposit, obstruction,
storage of materials or equipment, or other uses may be
allowed as Conditional Use that will cause any increase in the
stage of the (100 -year) regional flood or cause an increase in
flood damages in the reach or reaches affected.
2. All floodplain Conditional Uses shall be subject to the
procedures and standards contained in Section 303.090.
3. The Conditional Use shall be permissible in the underlyingzoningdistrict.
4. Structural works for flood control that will change the
course, current or cross section of protected wetlands or
public waters shall be subject to the provisions of MinnesotaStatute, Chapter 103G. Community -wide structural works for
flood control intended to remove areas from the regulatoryfloodplainshallnotbeallowedinthefloodway.
5. When at any one time more than 1,000 cubic yards of fill
or other similar material is located on a parcel for such
activities as on-site storage, landscaping, sand and gravel
operations, roads, dredge spoil disposal or construction of
flood control works, an erosion/sedimentation control plan
must be submitted. The plan must be prepared and certified by
a registered professional engineer.
E. Standards for All Floodplain Uses:
1. All new principal structures must have vehicular access
at or above the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation. If a
Variance to this requirement is granted, the Board of
Adjustment must specify limitations on the period of use or
occupancy of the structure for time of flooding.
2. Commercial Uses - accessory land uses, such as yards,
railroad tracks, and parking lots may be at elevations lower
than the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation. However, a
permit for such facilities to be used by the employees or the
general public shall not be granted in the absence of a flood
warning system that provides adequate time for evacuation if
the area would be inundated to a depth greater than four feet
per second upon occurrence of the regional flood.
Amended by Ord. 80-84, February 16, 1993.)
3. Fill shall be properly compacted and the slopes shall be
properly protected by the use of rip -rap, vegetative cover or
other acceptable method. The Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) has established criteria for removing the
special flood hazard area designation for certain structures
properly elevated on fill above the 100 -year flood elevation -
FEMA's requirements incorporate specific fill compaction and
side slope protection standards for multi -structure or multi -
lot developments. These standards should be investigated
prior to the initiation of site preparation if a change of
special flood hazard area designation will be requested.
4. Floodplain developments shall not adversely affect the
hydraulic capacity of the channel and adjoining floodplain of
any tributary watercourse or drainage system where a floodway
or other encroachment limit has not been specified on the
Official Zoning Map.
5. All dwelling units must be at least twenty (20) feet wide
through the main living area of the structure. The structure
must have continuous frost footings. Continuous frost
footings are not required for porches, decks, and other
appendages so long as proper post type footings per existingbuildingcodesareconstructed.
6. Travel trailers, travel vehicles, and manufactured homes
L are prohibited in the floodplain district.
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SECTION 303.060 PUBLIC UTILITIES, RAILROADS, AND BRIDGES
A. Public Utilities: All public utilities and facilities such asgas, electrical, sewer, and water supply systems to be located in
the floodplain shall be flood -proofed in accordance with the State
Building Code or elevated to above the Regulatory Flood ProtectionElevation.
B. Public Transportation Facilities: Railroad tracks, and bridges
to be located within the floodplain shall comply with Section303.050. Elevation to the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation
shall be provided where failure or interruption of these
transportation facilities would result in danger to the public
health or safety or where such facilities are essential to the
orderly functioning of the area. Limited access roads or railroads
may be constructed at a lower elevation where failure or
interruption of transportation services would not endanger the
public health or safety.
C. On-site Sewage Treatment and Water Supply Systems: Where
public utilities are not provided: 1) On-site water supply
systems must be designed to eliminate infiltration of flood waters
into the systems; and 2) New or replacement on-site sewage
treatment systems must be designed to eliminate infiltration of
flood waters into the systems and discharges from the systems into
flood waters and they shall not be subject to impairment or
contamination during times of flooding. Any sewage treatment
system designed in accordance with the City's and State's current
state-wide standards whichever is more restrictive for on-site
sewage treatment systems shall be determined to be in compliance
with this Section.
SECTION 303.070 ADMINISTRATION
A. Zoning Administrator: A Zoning Administrator or other
official designated by the City of Lake Elmo shall administer and
enforce the Floodplain Regulation. If the Zoning Administrator
finds a violation of the provisions of the Floodplain Regulation,
the Zoning shall notify the person responsible for such violation
in accordance with the procedures stated in Section 303.100.
B. Permit Reauirements: A Permit issued by the Zoning
Administrator in conformity with the provisions of the Floodplain
Regulation shall be secured prior to the erection, addition, or
alteration of any building, structure, or portion thereof; prior to
the use or change of use of building, structure, or land; prior to
the change or extension of a nonconforming use; and prior to the
placement of fill, excavation of materials, or the storage of
materials or equipment within the floodplain.
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C. Application for Permit: Application for a Permit shall be
made in duplicate to the Zoning Administrator on forms furnished bytheZoningAdministratorandshallincludethefollowingwhereapplicable: Plans in duplicate drawn to scale, showing the nature, location, dimensions, and elevations of the lot; existing orproposedstructures, fill, or storage of materials; and the
location of the foregoing in relation to the floodplain.
D. State and Federal Permits: Prior to granting a Permit or
processing an application for a Conditional Use Permit or Variance,
the Zoning Administrator shall determine that the applicant has
obtained all necessary State and Federal Permits.
E. Certificate of Occupancv for a New Altered or NonconformingUse: It shall be unlawful to use, occupy, or permit the use or
occupancy of any building or premises or part thereof hereafter
created, erected, changed, converted, altered, or enlarged in its
use or structure until a Certificate of Occupancy shall have been
issued by the Zoning Administrator indicating that the use of the
building or land conforms to the requirements of the Floodplain
Regulation.
F. Construction and Use to be as Provided on Application Plans
Permits, Variances and Certificates of Occupancy: Permits,
Conditional Use Permits, or Certificates of Occupancy issued on the
basis of approved plans and applications authorize only the use,
arrangement, and construction set forth in such approved plans and
applications, and no other use, arrangement, or construction. Any
use, arrangement, or construction at variance with that authorized
shall be deemed a violation of the Floodplain Regulation, and
punishable as provided by Section 303.110.
G. Certification: The applicant shall be required to submit
certification by a registered professional engineer, registered
architect, or registered land surveyor that the finished fill and
building elevations were accomplished in compliance with the
provisions of this ordinance. Flood -proofing measures shall be
certified by a registered professional engineer or registered
architect.
H. Record of First Floor Elevation: The Zoning Administrator
shall maintain a record of the elevation of the lowest floor
including basement) of all new structures and alterations or
additions to existing structures in the floodplain. The Zoning
Administrator shall also maintain a record of the elevation to
which structures or alterations and additions to structures are
flood -proofed.
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I. Subdivisions: No land shall be subdivided which is unsuitable
for the reason of flooding, inadequate drainage, water supply orsewagetreatmentfacilities. All lots within the floodplain
districts shall contain a building site at or above the RegulatoryFloodProtectionElevation. All subdivisions shall have water and
sewage treatment facilities that comply with the provisions of the
Floodplain Regulation and have road access both to the subdivision
and to the individual building sites no lower than the RegulatoryFloodProtectionElevation. For all subdivisions in the
floodplain, the Floodway and Flood Fringe boundaries, the
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation and the required elevation of
all access roads shall be clearly labelled on all required
subdivision drawings and platting documents. For all residential
structures in the floodplain, the floodway and the flood fringe
boundaries, the basement construction, or the lowest floor if there
is no basement, shall not be allowed below the Regulatory Flood
Protection Elevation.
SECTION 303.080 BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT AND APPEALS
A. Rules: The Board of Adjustment and Appeals shall have rules
and power conferred in Section 301.060 C.
B. Hearings: The Board of Adjustment shall follow the hearing
procedures of Section 301.060 C.4. The Board shall submit by mail
to the Commissioner of Natural Resources a copy of the application
for proposed Variances sufficiently in advance so that the
Commissioner will receive at least ten days notice of the hearing.
C. Decisions: A Board decision and their findings shall be made
according to Section 301.060 C. 4. and 5. In granting a Variance
the Board may prescribe appropriate conditions and safeguards which
are in conformity with the purposes of the Floodplain Regulation.
Violations of such conditions and safeguards, when made part of the
terms under which the Variance is granted, shall be deemed a
violation of the Floodplain Regulation punishable under Section
303.110. No Variance shall allow in any district a use prohibited
in that district or permit a lower degree of flood protection than
the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation. Variances may be used
to modify permissible methods of flood protection.
Amended by Ord. 80-84, February 16, 1993.)
A copy of all decisions granting Variances shall be forwarded by
mail to the Commission of Natural Resources within ten days of such
action.
Appeals from any decision of the Board may be made in accordance
with and as specified in Section 301.060 C. 6.
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D. Flood Insurance Notice and Record Keeping: The ZoningAdministratorshallnotifytheapplicantforavariancethat: 1)
the issuance of a variance to construct a structure below the base
flood level will result in increased premium rates for flood
insurance up to amounts as high as $25 for $100 of insurance
coverage, and 2) such construction below the 100 -year or regional
flood level increases risks to life and property. Such
notification shall be maintained with a record of all variance
actions. A community shall maintain a record of all variance
actions, including justification for their issuance, and report
such variances issued in its annual or biennial report submitted to
the Administrator of the National Flood Insurance Program.
SECTION 303.090 CONDITIONAL USES - STANDARDS OF EVALUATION
PROCEDURES
A. Rules and Hearings: A Conditional Use Permit Application
shall be acted upon according to the procedures outlined in Section
301.060 D.
Upon filing with the City of lake Elmo an application for a
Conditional Use Permit, the City Council shall submit by mail to
the Commissioner of Natural Resources a copy of the application for
proposed Conditional Use sufficiently in advance so that the
Commissioner will receive at least ten days notice of the hearing.
B. Procedures to be followed by the City of Lake Elmo in Passinq
on Conditional Use Permit Applications Within the Floodplain
District:
1. Require the applicant to furnish such of the following
information and additional information as deemed necessary by
the City Council for determining the suitability of the
particular site for the proposed use:
a) Plans drawn to scale showing the nature,location,
dimensions, and elevation of the lot, existing or proposed
structures, fill, storage of materials, flood -proofing
measures, and the relationship of the above to the
location of the stream channel.
b) Specifications for building construction and
materials, flood -proofing, filling, dredging, grading,
channel improvement, storage of materials, water supply
and sanitary facilities.
c) Transmit one copy of the information described above
to a designated engineer or other expert person or agency
for technical assistance, where necessary, in evaluating
the proposed project in relation to flood heights and
velocities, the seriousness of flood damage to the use,
the adequacy of the plans for protection, and other
technical matters.
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d) Based upon the technical evaluation of the designated
engineer or expert, the City council shall determine the
specific flood hazard at the site and evaluate the
suitability of the proposed use in relation to the flood
hazard.
C. Factors Upon Which the Decision of the City Council Shall Be
Based: In passing upon Conditional Use applications, the City ofLakeElmoshallconsiderallrelevantfactorsspecifiedinother
sections of the Floodplain Regulation, and:
1. The danger to life and property due to increased flood
heights or velocities caused by encroachments.
2. The danger that materials may be swept onto other lands or
downstream to the injury of others or they may block bridges,
culverts or other hydraulic structures.
3. The proposed water supply and sanitation systems and the
ability of these systems to prevent disease, contamination,
and unsanitary conditions.
4. The susceptibility of the proposed facility and its
intents to flood damage and the effect of such damage on the
individual owner.
5. The importance of the services provided by the proposed
facility to the community.
6. The requirements of the facility for a waterfront
location.
7. The availability of alternative locations not subject to
flooding for the proposed use.
8. The compatibility of the proposed use with existing
development and development anticipated in the foreseeable
future.
9. The relationship of the proposed use to the comprehensive
plan and floodplain management program for the area.
10. The safety of access to the property in times of flood for
ordinary and emergency vehicles.
11. The expected heights, velocity, duration, rate of rise,
and sediment transport of the flood waters expected at the
site.
12. Such other factors which are relevant to the purposes of
the Floodplain Regulation.
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D. Conditions Attached to Conditional Use Permits: Upon
consideration of the factors listed above and the purpose of this
Ordinance, the City of Lake Elmo shall attach such conditions to
the granting of Conditional Use Permits as it deems necessary to
fulfill the purposes of the Floodplain Regulation. Such conditions
may include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Modification of waste treatment and water supply
facilities.
2. Limitations on period of use, occupancy, and operation.
3. Imposition of operational controls, sureties, and deed
restrictions.
4. Requirements for construction of channel modifications,
compensatory storage of a two to one replacement or greater,
dikes, levees, and other protective measures.
5. Flood -proofing measures, in accordance with the State
Building Code and the Floodplain Regulation. The applicant
shall submit a plan or document certified by a registered
professional engineer or architect that the flood -proofing
measures are consistent with the Regulatory Flood Protection
Elevation and associated flood factors for the particular
area.
SECTION 303.100 NONCONFORMING USES
A. A structure or the use of a structure or premises which was
lawful before the passage or amendment of the Floodplain Regulation
but which is not in conformity with the provisions of the
Floodplain Regulation may be continued subject to the requirements
of Section 301.050 B.
B. The cost of all structural alterations or additions both
inside and outside of a structure to any nonconforming structure
over the life of the structure shall not exceed 50 percent of the
market value of the structure unless the conditions of this Section
are satisfied. The cost of all structural alterations and
additions and additions constructed since the adoption of Lake
Elmo's initial flood plain controls must be calculated into today's
current cost which will include all costs such as construction
materials and a reasonable cost placed on all manpower or labor.
If the current cost of all previous and proposed alterations and
additions exceeds 50 percent of the current market value of the
structure, then the structure must meet the standards of Section
303.050. * (Amended by Ord. 80-84, February 16,1993.)
SECTION 303.110 PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION
A. Violation of the provisions of the Floodplain Regulation or
failure to comply with any of its requirements (including
violations of conditions and safeguards established in connection
with grants of Variances or Conditional Uses) shall constitute a
misdemeanor and shall be punishable as defined by law.
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B. Nothing herein contained shall prevent the City of
from taking such other lawful action as is necessary to
remedy any violation. Such actions may include but are
to.
Lake Elmo
prevent or
not limited
1. In responding to a suspected ordinance violation, the
Zoning Administrator and Local Government may utilize the full
array of enforcement actions available to it including but notlimitedto, prosecution and fines, injunctions, after -the -fact
permits, orders for corrective measures or a request to the
National Flood Insurance Proaram for denial of flood insurance
availability to the guilty party. The community must act in
good faith to enforce these official controls and to correct
the Floodplain Regulation violations to the extent possible so
as not to jeopardize its eligibility in the National Flood
Insurance Program.
2. When the Floodplain Regulation violation is either
discovered by or brought to the attention of the Zoning
Administrator, the Zoning Administrator shall immediately
investigate the situation and document the nature and extent
of the violation of the official control. As soon as is
reasonably possible, this information will be submitted to the
appropriate Department of Natural Resources' and Federal
Emergency Management Agency Regional Office along with the
Community's plan of action to correct the violation to the
degree possible.
3. The Zoning Administrator shall notify the suspected party
of the requirements of the Floodplain Regulation and all other
official Controls and the nature and extent of the suspected
violation of these controls. If the structure and/or use is
under construction or development, the Zoning Administrator
may order the construction or development immediately halted
until a proper permit or approval is granted by the Community.
If the construction or development is already completed, then
the Zoning Administrator may either (1) issue an order
identifying the corrective actions that must be made within a
specified time period to bring the use or structure into
compliance with the official controls, or (2) notify the
responsible party to apply for an after -the -fact
permit/development approval within a specified period of time
not to exceed 30 -days.
4. If the responsible party does not appropriately respond to
the Zoning Administrator within the specified period of time,
each additional day that lapses shall constitute an additional
violation of the Floodplain Regulation and shall be prosecuted
accordingly. The Zoning Administrator shall also, upon the
lapse of the specified response period, notify the landowner
to restore the land to the condition which existed prior to
the violation of the Floodplain Regulation.
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SECTION 303.120 AMENDMENTS
The floodplain designation on the Official Map shall not be removed
from floodplain areas unless it can be shown that the designation
is in error. Special exceptions to this rule may be permitted by
the Commissioner of Natural Resources if he determines that,
through other measures, lands are adequately protected for the
intended use.
All amendments to the Floodplain Regulation including amendments to
the Official Zoning Map must be submitted to and approved by the
Commissioner of Natural Resources prior to adoption. Changes in
the Official Zoning Map must meet the Federal Emergency Management
Agency's (FEMA) Technical Conditions and Criteria and must receive
prior FEMA approval before adoption. The Commissioner of Natural
Resources must be given 10 -days written notice of all hearings to
consider an amendment to the Floodplain Regulation and said notice
shall include a draft of the proposed amendment or technical study
under consideration.
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