HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 842Subd. 2. Findings of Fact:
1 April 29, 2010
ORDINANCE NO: 842
CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW
RAMSEY COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 1300 OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY CODE BY
REPEALING ALL OF EXISTING CHAPTER 1301 (FLOOD PLAIN ZONING) AND
ADDING A NEW CHAPTER 1301 (FLOOD PLAIN MANAGEMENT TO THE CITY
CODE
THE CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW, MINNESOTA, ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. The Mounds View City Council hereby repeals Chapter 1301 (Flood Plain Zoning)
of the Mounds View City Code.
SECTION 2. The Mounds View City Council hereby adds a new Chapter 1301 (Flood Plain
Management) to the Mounds View City Code as follows:
CHAPTER 1301— FLOOD PLAIN MANAGEMENT
1301.01: STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION, FINDINGS OF FACT AND PURPOSE
Subd. 1. Statutory Authorization: The Legislature of the State of Minnesota has, in Minnesota
Statutes Chapter 103F and Chapter 462, delegated to local government units the responsibility to adopt
regulations designed to minimize flood losses. Therefore, the Mounds View City Council does ordain as
follows in this Chapter:
a. The flood hazard areas in the City are subject to periodic inundation that results in potential
loss of life, loss of property, health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and
governmental services, extraordinary 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.
b. Methods Used to Analyze Flood Hazards. The City bases this Chapter on a reasonable
method of analyzing flood hazards that is consistent with the standards set by the Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources "(DNR)
c. National Flood Insurance Program Compliance. The City adopts this Chapter to meet the
rules and regulations of the National Flood Insurance Program codified as 44 Code of Federal
Regulations Parts 59 -78, as amended, so as to maintain the City's eligibility in the National
Flood Insurance Program.
Subd. 3. Statement of Purpose: It is the purpose of this Chapter to promote the public health, safety,
and general welfare and to minimize the losses described above in Section 1301.01, Subd. 2 a by the
provisions contained herein.
1301.02: GENERAL PROVISIONS
Subd. 1. Lands to Which this Chapter Applies: This Chapter shall apply to all lands in Mounds
View shown on the Official Zoning Map and/or the attachments thereto as being within the boundaries of
the Floodway, Flood Fringe, or General Flood Plain Districts.
Subd. 2. Establishment of Official Zoning Map: The City hereby adopts by reference the Official
Zoning Map, together with all materials attached thereto, and declares the Zoning Map to be a part of this
Chapter. The attached materials shall include the Flood Insurance Study for Ramsey County, Minnesota
(All Jurisdictions) and Flood Insurance Rate Map panels therein numbered 27123C0004G, 27123C0005G
and 27123C0010G, all dated June 4, 2010 as prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA). The Official Zoning Map and attached materials shall be on file in the Offices of the City
Administrator and the Community Development Director.
Subd. 3. 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 flood plain that result from designation of a floodway.
Subd. 4. Interpretation:
a. In their interpretation and application, the City and all users of this Chapter shall hold the provisions
of this Chapter to be the minimum requirements and shall liberally construe the provisions in favor
of the City or other regulating agency. In addition, no one shall deem any of the provisions of this
Chapter a limitation or repeal of any other powers granted by State or Federal statutes.
b. The boundaries of the zoning districts shall be determined by scaling distances on the Official Flood
Plain Zoning Map. The Planning Commission shall make interpretations about exact location of the
boundaries of a district as shown on the Official Zoning Map, 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 Community Development Director. All decisions will be based on elevations on
the regional (100 -year) flood profile, the ground elevations that existed on the site at the time the
City adopted its initial floodplain regulations or on the date of the first National Flood Insurance
Program map showing the area within the 100 -year floodplain if earlier, and other available
technical data. The City shall give persons contesting the location of the district boundaries a
reasonable opportunity to present their case to the Planning Commission and to submit technical
evidence.
Subd. 5. Abrogation and Greater Restrictions: The City does not intend by this Chapter to repeal,
abrogate, or impair any existing easements, covenants, or deed restrictions. However, where this Chapter
imposes greater restrictions, the provisions of this Chapter shall prevail. In all cases, the provisions of
Chapter 1010, wetland zoning regulation and the City surface water management plan (subject to
subsequent revisions) shall be considered more restrictive than this Chapter. The City hereby repeals all
other regulations or ordinances inconsistent with this Chapter to the extent of the inconsistency only.
Subd. 6. Warning and Disclaimer of Liability: This Chapter does not imply that areas outside the
flood plain districts or land uses permitted within such districts will be free from flooding or flood
damages. This Chapter shall not create liability on the part of the City or any officer or employee thereof
for any flood damage that result from reliance on this Chapter or any administrative decision lawfully made
thereunder.
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Subd. 7. Severability: If a court of competent jurisdiction decides that any section, clause,
provision, or portion of this Chapter is unconstitutional or invalid, then the decision shall not affect the
remainder of this Chapter.
Subd. 8. Definitions: For the purposes of this Chapter, the following terms, phrases, words and
their derivations shall have the meanings listed in this Chapter. When not inconsistent with the context,
words used in the present tense include the future, words in the plural number include the singular number
and words in the singular number include the plural number. The word "shall" is always mandatory and is
not discretionary.
a. Accessory Use or Structure: A use, building or structure on the same lot with, and of a nature
customarily incidental and subordinate to, the principal use, building or structure.
b. Basement: Any area of a building or 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.
c. Conditional Use: A specific type of structure or land use listed in the City Code that the City
Council may allow but only after an in -depth review and with conditions or restrictions as
provided in the City Code and upon a finding that:
(1) Certain conditions as detailed in the City Code exist; and
(2) The structure or land use conforms to the City's Comprehensive Plan and if the City decides
the proposed use is compatible with nearby land uses and with the existing neighborhood.
d. Equal Degree of Encroachment: A method of determining the location of floodway boundaries
so that flood plain lands on both sides of a stream, creek or watercourse are capable of conveying
a proportionate share of flood flows.
e. Flood: A temporary increase in the flow or stage of a stream, creek or watercourse or in the
stage of a wetland or lake that results in the inundation of normally dry areas.
f. Flood Frequency: The frequency that a person can expect that a specific flood stage or discharge
may be equaled or exceeded.
g.
Flood Fringe: That part of the flood plain outside of the floodway. The term "flood fringe" is
synonymous with the term "floodway fringe" used in the Flood Insurance Study for Ramsey
County, Minnesota (All Jurisdictions).
h. Flood Plain: The channel or beds proper of a stream, creek or watercourse and the areas
adjoining a wetland, lake or watercourse that a regional flood has or hereafter may cover.
i. 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.
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Floodway: The bed of a wetland or lake and the channel of a watercourse and those portions of
the adjoining flood plain that is reasonably required to carry or store the regional flood
discharge.
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k. Lowest Floor: The lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area (including a basement). The City
does not consider an unfinished or flood resistant enclosure, used solely for parking of vehicles,
building access, or storage in an area other than a basement area as the building's lowest floor.
1. Manufactured Home: A structure, transportable in one or more sections, that is built on a
permanent chassis and is designed and constructed for use with or without a permanent
foundation when attached to the required utilities. The term "manufactured home" does not
include the term "recreational vehicle."
m. Obstruction: Any dam, wall, wharf, embankment, levee, dike, pile, abutment, projection,
excavation, channel modification, culvert, building, wire, fence, stockpile, refuse, fill, structure,
or matter in, along, across, or projecting into any channel, watercourse, or regulatory flood plain
that 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.
n. Principal Use or Structure: The main or primary use of land or buildings that are not subordinate
accessory uses or structures.
o. Reach: A hydraulic engineering term used 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 typically constitute a reach.
p. Recreational Vehicle: A vehicle that is: (1) built on a single chassis, (2) 400 square feet or less
of floor area when measured at the largest horizontal projection, (3) designed to be self propelled
or permanently towable by a light duty truck, and (4) designed primarily not for use as a
permanent dwelling but as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel, or
seasonal use. For the purposes of this Chapter, the term "recreational vehicle" shall be
synonymous with the term "travel trailer /travel vehicle."
q.
Regional Flood: A flood that is representative of large floods known to have occurred generally
in Minnesota and reasonably characteristic of what a person could expect to occur on an average
frequency in the magnitude of the 100 -year recurrence interval. The term "regional flood" is
synonymous with the terms "base flood," "1- percent annual chance" or "100 -year flood
elevation."
r. Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation: 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 flood
plain that result from designation of a floodway.
s. Structure: Anything constructed or erected on the ground or attached to the ground or on -site
utilities, including, but not limited to, buildings, factories, sheds, detached garages, cabins,
manufactured homes, recreational vehicles not meeting the exemption criteria specified in
Section 1301.09, Subd. 3, a of this Chapter and other similar items.
t. Substantial Damage: Damage of any origin sustained by a structure where the cost of restoring
the structure to the condition before the damage occurred would equal or exceed 50 percent of
the market value of the structure before the damage occurred.
u. Substantial Improvement: Within any consecutive 365 -day period, any reconstruction,
rehabilitation (including normal maintenance and repair), repair after damage, addition, or other
improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50 percent of the market value
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of the structure before the "start of construction" of the improvement. This term includes
structures that have incurred "substantial damage," regardless of the actual repair work
performed. The term does not include however, any:
(1) Project for improvement of a structure to correct existing violations of state or local health,
sanitary, or safety code specifications that have been identified by the local code
enforcement official or other City official and are the minimum necessary to assure safe
living conditions; or
(2) Alteration of an "historic structure," if the alteration would not preclude the structure's
continued designation as an "historic structure." For the purpose of this Chapter, "historic
structure" shall be as defined in 44 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 59.1. (There are no
known historic structures in Mounds View).
v. Variance: A modification of a permitted development standard required in the City Code
(including this Chapter) to allow an alternative development standard not stated as acceptable
in the City Code, but only as applied to a particular property for the purpose of alleviating a
hardship, practical difficulty or unique circumstance as defined in the City Code.
Subd. 9. Annexations: The Flood Insurance Rate Map panels adopted by reference in Section
1301.02 Subd 2 of this Chapter may include floodplain areas that lie outside of the corporate
boundaries of Mounds View at the time the City adopts this Chapter. If the City annexes any of these
floodplain land areas into the City after the date it adopts this Chapter, the newly annexed floodplain
lands shall be subject to the provisions of this Chapter immediately upon the date of annexation into
the City of Mounds View.
1301.03: ESTABLISHMENT OF OVERLAY ZONING DISTRICTS
Subd. 1. Districts: The City establishes the following overlay zoning classifications within the City:
a. Floodway District. The Floodway District shall include those areas designated as "Zone AE
"Zone AH" and "Zone A" on the Flood Insurance Rate Map panels adopted in Section 1301.02
Subd. 2 of this Chapter that are below the ordinary high water level as defined in Minnesota
Statutes, Section 103G.005, subdivision 14.
b. Flood Fringe District. The Flood Fringe District shall include those areas designated as "Zone
AE "Zone AH" and "Zone A" on the Flood Insurance Rate Map panels adopted in Section
1301.02 Subd 2 of this Chapter that are below the one percent annual chance flood elevation
(100 -year flood elevation) but above the ordinary high water level as defined in Minnesota
Statutes, Section 103G.005, subdivision 14. (See Section 1301.06 of this Chapter for the
procedures to determine the one percent annual chance flood elevation (100 -year flood
elevation)).
Subd. 2. Compliance: No person shall use a new structure or land and no person shall construct,
locate, extend, convert or structurally alter a structure without meeting the terms of this Chapter and all
other applicable rules and regulations. Within the Floodway, Flood Fringe and General Flood Plain
Districts, the City prohibits all uses not listed as permitted uses or conditional uses in Sections 1301.04 and
1301.05 that follow, respectively. In addition, the following provisions shall apply:
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a. New manufactured homes, replacement manufactured homes and certain travel trailers and travel
vehicles are subject to the general provisions of this Chapter and to the standards in Section
1301.09 of this Chapter.
b. Modifications, additions, structural alterations, normal maintenance and repair, or repair after
damage to existing nonconforming structures and nonconforming uses of structures or land are
regulated by the general provisions of this Chapter and to the standards in Section 1301.11 of
this Chapter.
c. As -built elevations for elevated or flood proofed structures must be certified by ground surveys.
A licensed professional engineer or architect must design and certify flood proofing techniques
as specified in the general provisions of this Chapter and as stated in Section 1301.10 of this
Chapter.
1301.04: FLOODWAY DISTRICT (FW)
The permitted and conditional uses listed below are only allowable in the Floodway District if not
prohibited by any other underlying zoning district classifications of the City and if not prohibited by any
applicable state or federal law. The City does not allow community -wide structural works or projects in the
Floodway District for flood controls that are intended to remove areas from the regulatory flood plain.
Subd. 1. Permitted Uses:
a. General farming, pasture, grazing, outdoor plant nurseries, horticulture, and wild crop
harvesting.
b. Boat launching ramps, swimming areas, parks, wildlife and nature preserves, and fishing areas.
c. Residential uses such as lawns, gardens, parking areas and play areas.
Subd. 2. Standards for Floodway District Permitted Uses:
a. The use shall have low flood damage potential.
b. The use shall be permissible in the underlying zoning district.
c. The use shall not obstruct flood flows or increase flood elevations and shall not involve
structures, fill, obstructions, excavations or storage of materials or equipment.
Subd. 3. Conditional Uses: The conditional uses listed below are only allowable in Floodway
District if not prohibited by any other underlying zoning district classification of the City and if not
prohibited by applicable state or federal law. The City requires a conditional use permit approved by the
City Council for each use. The City or the property owner must record the conditional use permit against
the title of the property in the Ramsey County Recorder's office.
a. The extraction and storage of sand, gravel, and other materials.
b. Marinas, boat rentals, docks, piers, wharves, and water control structures.
c. Railroads, streets, bridges, utility transmission lines, and pipelines.
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d. The placement of fill.
Subd. 4. Standards for Floodway District Conditional Uses:
a. All Uses. The City will not allow fill (including fill for roads and levees), deposits, obstructions,
or other similar uses as a conditional use that would cause any increase in the stage of a 100 -year
or regional flood or cause an increase in flood damage in the reach or reaches affected.
b. All conditional uses in the Floodway District shall be subject to the procedures and standards set
forth in Section 1301.10 Subd. 4 of this Chapter.
c. The conditional use shall be permissible in the underlying City zoning district.
d. Fill, subject to the following standards:
(1) The property owner or contractor shall protect fill, dredge spoil, and all other similar
materials that they deposit or store in the flood plain from erosion by vegetative cover,
mulching, riprap or other method acceptable to the City.
(2) The City does not allow dredge spoil sites and sand and gravel operations in the Floodway
District unless the owner or operator submits a long -term site development plan to the City
that includes an erosion/sedimentation prevention element to the plan.
(3) As an alternative, and consistent with Subsection (2) above, dredge spoil disposal and sand
and gravel operations may allow temporary, on -site storage of fill or other materials that
would have caused an increase to the stage of 100 -year or regional flood. The City will only
allow such storage only if City has received a plan that assures the removal of the materials
from the floodway based upon the available time after a flood warning. The City or the
property owner must record the conditional use permit against the title of the property in the
Ramsey County Recorders Office.
e. Storage of Materials and Equipment. The City may allow the storage of other materials or
equipment if readily removable from the area in the time available after a flood warning and
according to a plan approved by the City. The City prohibits the storage or processing of
materials that are, in time of flooding, flammable, explosive, or potentially injurious to human,
animal, or plant life.
1301.05: FLOOD FRINGE DISTRICT (FF)
Subd. 1. Permitted Uses: The permitted uses in the flood fringe district are all those uses of land or
structures listed in Title 1100 of the City Code as permitted uses in the underlying zoning district(s). All
permitted uses must meet the standards for Flood Fringe District "Permitted Uses" listed in Section
1301.05 Subd. 2 set forth below and the "Standards for All Flood Fringe Uses" listed in Section 1301.05
Subd. 5. of this Chapter.
Subd. 2. Standards for Flood Fringe District Permitted Uses:
a. All structures in the Flood Fringe district, including accessory structures, must be elevated on fill
so that the lowest floor (including the basement floor) is at or above the regulatory flood
protection elevation. The finished fill elevation for structures shall be no lower than one (1) foot
below the regulatory flood protection elevation. The fill shall extend at such elevations at least
fifteen (15) feet beyond the outside limits of the structure on the property.
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b. As an alternative to elevation on fill, owners of accessory structures in the flood fringe that
constitute a minimal investment and that do not exceed 500 square feet in area may flood proof
such structures according to the following standards:
(1) Owners shall not intend, design, nor construct accessory structures for human habitation.
(2) Accessory structures must be elevated on fill or structurally dry flood proofed according to
the FP -1 or FP -2 flood proofing classifications in the Minnesota State Building Code. As an
alternative, an owner may flood proof an accessory structure to the FP -3 or FP -4 flood
proofing classification in the Minnesota State Building Code. For a detached garage, the
owner must use the detached garage solely for parking of vehicles and limited storage. All
flood proofed accessory structures must meet the following additional standards:
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(a) Accessory structures must be adequately anchored to prevent flotation, collapse or
lateral movement of the structure and shall be designed and constructed to equalize
hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls;
(b) All mechanical and utility equipment in the accessory structure must be elevated to
or above the regulatory flood protection elevation or properly flood proofed; and
(c) To allow for the equalization of hydrostatic pressure, there must be a minimum of
two "automatic" openings in the outside walls of the accessory structure having a
total net area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed area
subject to flooding. There must be openings on at least two sides of the structure
and the bottom of all openings must be no higher than one foot above the lowest
adjacent grade to the structure. Using human intervention to open a garage door
before flooding will not satisfy this requirement for automatic openings.
c. The cumulative placement of fill on a parcel where at any one time is in excess of one thousand
(1,000) cubic yards shall be allowed only as a conditional use, unless said fill is specifically
intended to elevate a structure to meet the requirements of Section 1301.05, Subd. 2 of this
Chapter.
d. Property owners and users shall store or park any materials or equipment on fill to an elevation
at or above the regulatory flood protection elevation.
e. The provisions of Section 1301.05, Subd. 5 of this Chapter shall apply.
Subd. 3. Conditional Uses: The City shall only allow structures that are not elevated on fill or flood
proofed according to Sections 1301.05, Subd. 2a and 2b of this Chapter and or any use of land that does not
meet the standards in Sections 1301.05, Subd. 2c and 2d as a conditional use. An application for a
conditional use permit shall be subject to the standards and criteria and evaluation procedures specified in
Sections 1301.05, Subd. 4 and Subd. 5 and 1 in 1301.10, Subd. 4 of this Chapter, those standards and
procedures set forth in Title 1100 of the City Code and elsewhere in the City Code.
Subd. 4. Standards for Flood Fringe Conditional Uses:
a. An owner may use alternative elevation methods other than the use of fill to elevate a structure's
lowest floor above the regulatory flood protection elevation. These alternative methods may
include the use of stilts, pilings, parallel walls, etc., or above grade, enclosed areas such as crawl
spaces or tuck under garages. The City shall consider the base or floor of an enclosed area
above -grade and not a structure's basement or lowest floor if: 1) the enclosed area is above
grade on at least one side of the structure; 2) it is designed and constructed to internally flood
and is constructed with flood resistant materials; and 3) the owner uses it solely for parking of
vehicles, building access or storage. The above -noted alternative elevation methods are subject
to the following additional standards:
(1) Design and Certification: A licensed professional engineer or architect must certify that the
structure's design and as -built condition meets the general design standards of the Minnesota
State Building Code. Specifically, all electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing and air
conditioning equipment and other service facilities must be at or above the regulatory flood
protection elevation or be designed and constructed to prevent flood water from entering or
accumulating in these components during times of flooding.
(2) Specific Standards for Above grade, Enclosed Areas: Owners and contractors shall design
and construct above grade, fully enclosed areas such as crawl spaces or tuck under garages
to internally flood with design and construction plans that stipulate:
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(a) A minimum area of automatic openings in the walls where internal flooding is to be
used as a flood proofing technique. There shall be a minimum of two openings on at
least two sides of the structure and the bottom of all openings shall be no higher than
one -foot above grade. The automatic openings shall have a minimum net area of not
less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed area subject to flooding
unless a licensed professional engineer or architect certifies that a smaller net area
would suffice. The owner or contractor may equip the automatic openings with screens,
louvers, valves, or other coverings or devices if such devices permit the automatic entry
and exit of flood waters without any form of human intervention; and
(b) That the enclosed area will be designed and constructed of flood resistant materials in
accordance with the standards of the FP -3 or FP -4 classifications in the Minnesota State
Building Code and that the owner or occupants shall only use such areas for building
access, vehicle parking or storage.
b. Basements, as defined by Section 1301.02, Subd. 8, b. of this Chapter, shall be subject to the
following requirements:
(1) The City does not permit residential basement construction below the regulatory flood
protection elevation.
(2) The City may permit non residential basements below the regulatory flood protection
elevation provided the basement is structurally dry flood proofed according to the standards
listed in Section 1301.05, Subd. 4 c (below) of this Chapter.
c. All areas of non residential structures (including basements) that would be below the regulatory
flood protection elevation shall be flood proofed to meet the structurally dry flood proofing
classifications in the Minnesota State Building Code. Structurally dry flood proofing must meet
the FP -1 or FP -2 flood proofing classification in the Minnesota State Building Code. This flood
proofing shall require making the structure watertight with the walls substantially impermeable
to the passage of water and with structural components having the capability of resisting
hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and the effects of buoyancy. The City does not allow
structures in the flood fringe that the owners have flood proofed to the FP -3 or FP -4
classification in the Minnesota State Building Code. The City does not allow residential
structures in the flood fringe that the owners have dry -flood proofed to the FP -1 or FP -2 flood
proofing classification in the Minnesota State Building Code.
d. When at any one time a property owner or contractor wants to locate more than 1,000 cubic
yards of fill or other similar material on a parcel for activities such as on -site storage,
landscaping, sand and gravel operations, landfills, roads, dredge spoil disposal or construction of
flood control works, the owner or contractor shall submit an erosion/sedimentation control plan
to the City for approval. The plan must clearly specify methods that an owner or contractor shall
use to stabilize the fill on site for a flood event at a minimum of the 100 -year or regional flood
event. A registered professional engineer must prepare the plan. The plan may incorporate
alternative procedures for removal of the material from the flood plain if adequate flood warning
time exists.
e. Storage of Materials and Equipment:
(1) The City prohibits the storage or processing of materials that are, in time of flooding,
flammable, explosive, or potentially injurious to human, animal, or plant life.
(2) The City may allow the storage of other materials or equipment if they would be readily
removable from the area within the time available after a flood warning is given and
according to a plan that the City has approved.
f. The provisions of Section 1301.05, Subd.5 (below) of this Chapter also shall apply.
Subd. 5. Standards for All Flood Fringe Uses:
a. All new principal structures in the flood fringe district must have vehicular access at or above an
elevation not more than two (2) feet below the regulatory flood protection elevation. If the City
approves a variance from this requirement, the City must specify limitations on the period of use
or occupancy of the structure for times of flooding. In order to approve a variance from this
requirement, the City must determine that adequate flood warning time and local flood
emergency response procedures exist.
b. Commercial Uses: Accessory commercial land uses, such as yards, railroad tracks, and parking
lots (if allowed by the underlying City zoning designation) may be at elevations lower than the
regulatory flood protection elevation. However, the City shall not approve a permit for such
facilities for use by employees or by the general public in the absence of a flood warning system.
Such a flood warning system shall provide adequate time for evacuation if the area would be
inundated to a depth and velocity such that when multiplying the depth (in feet) times velocity
(in feet per second) the product number exceeds four (4) upon occurrence of the regional flood.
c. Manufacturing and Industrial Uses: Owners and operators of manufacturing and industrial uses
shall take measures to minimize the interference of normal plant operations from flooding,
especially those sites along streams or creeks that have protracted flood durations. Certain
accessory land uses such as yards and parking lots may be at lower elevations subject to
requirements set out in Section 1301.05, Subd. 5 b above. In considering development or permit
applications for manufacturing or industrial uses, the City shall give due consideration to the
needs of an industry whose business requires that it be located in flood plain areas.
d. Contractors shall properly compact fill and properly protect the slopes by using riprap,
vegetative cover or other acceptable methods. The Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) has established criteria for removing the special flood hazard area designation for
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
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e. Flood plain developments shall not adversely affect the hydraulic capacity of the channel and
adjoining flood plain of any tributary watercourse or drainage system where the City has not
specified a floodway or other encroachment limit on the Official Zoning Map.
f. Section 1301.09, Subd. 3 of this Chapter lists the standards for the placement and use of
recreational vehicles in the Flood Fringe District.
g.
multi -lot developments. The owner or contractor should investigate these standards before
starting the site preparation if requesting a change of special flood hazard area designation.
Owners and contractors shall securely anchor all manufactured homes to an adequately anchored
foundation system that resists flotation, collapse and lateral movement. Methods of anchoring
may include, but are not to be limited to, use of over the -top or frame ties to ground anchors.
This requirement is in addition to applicable state or local anchoring requirements for resisting
wind forces.
1301.06: Procedures for determining One Percent annual chance flood elevations (100
year flood elevations) in areas located in Zone A of the Flood Insurance Rate Map panels
Subd. 1. Reserved for Future Use.
Subd. 2. Procedures for determining one percent annual chance flood elevations (100 -year
flood elevations) in Zone A
a. Upon receiving an application for a permit or other approval for a parcel located within Zone A
of the Flood Insurance Rate Maps, the Community Development Director or City Engineer will
use the one percent annual chance flood elevation for that basin that has previously been
determined according to approved FEMA methods, if available. If the one percent annual
chance flood elevation has not been previously determined, the applicant shall be required to
furnish all necessary information as deemed necessary by the Community Development Director
or the City for the determination for the one percent annual chance flood elevation according to
approved FEMA methods.
b. The applicant shall be responsible to submit one copy of the above information to a designated
engineer or other expert person or agency for technical assistance in determining whether the
proposed use is in the Floodway or Flood Fringe District and to determine the one percent annual
chance flood elevation (100 -year flood elevation). The owner, engineer and contractor shall
follow the procedures consistent with Minnesota Rules, Parts 6120.5000 6120.6200 and 44
Code of Federal Regulations Part 65 in this expert evaluation. The City encourages the
designated engineer or expert to discuss the proposed technical evaluation methodology with the
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' Area Hydrologist before starting the analysis.
c. Once the one percent annual chance flood elevation (100 -year flood elevation) has been
determined, the Community Development Director or the City Engineer shall process the permit
application consistent with the applicable provisions of Sections 1301.04 and 1301.05 of this
Chapter.
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1301.07: SUBDIVISIONS
Subd. 1. Review Criteria: No person or owner shall subdivide land that the City decides is
unsuitable for building or is unsuitable for new construction because of flooding, inadequate drainage,
water supply or sewage treatment facilities. The City shall approve all subdivision requests (subject to the
requirements in Title 1100 (zoning) and Title 1200 (subdivisions)) to ensure that all lots within the flood
plain districts would have a building site outside of the Floodway District at or above the regulatory flood
protection elevation. All subdivisions shall have access to public water and to the City sanitary sewer
system and facilities that meet the provisions of this Chapter. All subdivisions shall have road access both
to the subdivision and to the individual building sites no lower than two (2) feet below the regulatory flood
protection elevation. For all subdivisions in the Floodway or Flood Fringe District boundaries, the
applicant, owner or project engineer shall clearly label the regulatory flood protection elevation and the
required elevation of all access roads on all subdivision drawings and platting documents.
Subd. 2. Procedures for determining one percent annual chance flood elevation (100 -year flood
elevation) in Zone A: In a designated Zone -A area, applicants shall provide the information required in
Section 1301.06, Subd. 2 of this Chapter to determine the 100 -year flood elevation and the regulatory flood
protection elevation for the subdivision site.
Subd. 3. Removal of Special Flood Hazard Area Designation: 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 one percent annual chance flood
elevation (100 -year flood elevation). FEMA's requirements incorporate specific fill compaction and side
slope protection standards for multi- structure or multi -lot developments. The applicant, owner or
contractor should investigate these standards before starting site preparation if requesting a change of
special flood hazard area designation.
1301.08: PUBLIC UTILITIES, RAILROADS, ROADS, AND BRIDGES
Subd. 1. Public Utilities. All public utilities and facilities such as gas, electrical, sewer, and water
supply systems to be located in the flood plain shall be flood proofed according to the standards in the
Minnesota State Building Code or shall be elevated to an elevation above the regulatory flood protection
elevation.
Subd. 2. Public Transportation Facilities. Railroad tracks, roads, and bridges to be located within
the flood plain shall meet the requirements listed in Sections 1301.04 and 1301.05 of this Chapter. The
owner or builder of these transportation facilities shall elevate them to at least the regulatory flood
protection elevation 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. The
City may allow the construction of minor or auxiliary roads or railroads at a lower elevation where the
failure or interruption of these secondary transportation services would not endanger the public health,
safety or welfare.
Subd. 3. Standards for On -site Sewage Treatment and Water Supply Systems: In instances where
the City does not provide public utilities, the following standards shall apply:
a. The owners and builders of on -site water supply systems must design and construct these systems
to minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood waters into the systems; and
b. The owners and builders of new or replacement on -site sewage treatment systems must design and
construct these systems to minimize or eliminate:
12 April 29, 2010
(1) Infiltration of floodwaters into the utility systems and:
(2) The discharges from the utility systems into floodwaters.
c. On -site water supply and sewage treatment systems shall not be subject to impairment or
contamination during times of flooding.
d. The City considers any sewage treatment system designed and constructed according to the State's
current statewide standards for on -site sewage treatment systems to be in compliance with this Section.
1301.09: MANUFACTURED HOMES AND MANUFACTURED HOME PARKS AND
PLACEMENT OF RECREATIONAL VEHICLES.
Subd. 1. New manufactured home parks and expansions to existing manufactured home parks shall
be subject to the provisions for subdivisions listed in Section 1301.07 of this Chapter, to those listed in
Title 1100 (Zoning) and those in Title 1200 (Subdivisions) of the City Code.
Subd. 2. The City will treat the placement of new or replacement manufactured homes in existing
manufactured home parks or on individual lots of record that are in flood plain districts as a new structure
and may be placed only if elevated to meet the requirements in Section 1301.05 of this Chapter. If pre-
existing manufactured home parks do not provide vehicular road access according to Section 1301.05,
Subd. 5 a of this Chapter, then the City will not allow replacement manufactured homes until the applicant
or the property owner(s) develop a flood warning emergency plan that is acceptable to the City.
a. Owners and contractors shall securely anchor all manufactured homes to an adequately anchored
foundation system that resists flotation, collapse and lateral movement. Methods of anchoring may include,
but are not to be limited to, use of over the -top or frame ties to ground anchors. This requirement is in
addition to applicable state or City anchoring requirements for resisting wind forces.
Subd. 3. Recreational vehicles that do not meet the exemption criteria specified in Section 1301.09,
Subd. 3 a below shall be subject to the provisions of this Chapter and as specifically outlined in Sections
1301.09, Subd. 3c and Subd. 3d below.
a. Exemptions: Recreational vehicles are exempt from the provisions of this Chapter if the owners
or users place them in any of the exempted areas listed in Section 1301.09, Subd. 3b below and
if the vehicles meet all the following criteria:
(1) Have current licenses required for street and highway use;
(2) Are highway ready meaning that they are on wheels or have an internal jacking system. The
owner must attach it to the site by quick disconnect type utilities commonly used in
campgrounds and recreational vehicle parks. The recreational vehicle also must not have
any permanent structural type additions attached to it; and
(3) The recreational vehicle and its associated use must be a permitted land use in the existing,
underlying City zoning district.
b. Areas Exempted For Placement of Recreational Vehicles:
(1) Individual lots or parcels of record;
(2) Existing commercial recreational vehicle parks or campgrounds; and
(3) Existing condominium type associations.
13 April 29, 2010
c. Exempted recreational vehicles (as exempted in Section 1301.09, Subd. 3a of this Chapter
(above)) lose their exemption if the owner constructs improvements on the parcel that exceed
$500 for a structural addition to the recreational vehicle or exceed $500 for an accessory
structure such as a garage or storage building. The City will then consider the recreational
vehicle and all additions and accessory structures as new structures. These new structure shall
be subject to the elevation/flood proofing requirements and the use of land restrictions specified
in Sections 1301.04 and 1301.05 of this Chapter. The user or owner shall not make any
development or improvement on the parcel or attachment to the recreational vehicle that would
hinder the user or owner from being able to remove the recreational vehicle to a flood -free
location should a flood occur.
d. New commercial recreational vehicle parks or campgrounds, new residential subdivisions and
condominium associations and the expansion of any existing similar use exceeding five (5) units
or dwelling sites shall be subject to all City Code standards and the following:
(1) The City will allow any new or replacement recreational vehicle in the F000dway or Flood
Fringe Districts provided the user or owner places the recreational vehicle and its contents
on fill above the regulatory flood protection elevation and if there is elevated road access to
the site that meets the requirements of Section 1301.05, Subd 5a of this Chapter. No fill
placed in the floodway to meet the requirements of this Section shall increase flood stages of
the 100 -year or regional flood.
(2) As an alternative, the City may allow by conditional use all new or replacement recreational
vehicles not meeting the criteria of d (1) above if the proposed use would meet the following
provisions and the provisions of 1301.10, Subd. 4 of this Chapter. In such a case, the
property owner or the applicant must submit an emergency plan prepared by a licensed
professional engineer for the safe evacuation of all vehicles and people during a 100 -year
flood. The plan shall demonstrate that adequate time and personnel exist to carry out the
evacuation, and shall demonstrate that the plan will meet the provisions of Section 1301.09,
Subd. 3a of this Chapter. The owner or contractor of all sewage and water facilities for new
or replacement recreational vehicles must ensure to construct and protect the utility facilities
are so that a flood would not be impair or contaminate those facilities during a flood as
outlined in Section 1301.08, Subd. 3 of this Chapter.
1301.10: ADMINISTRATION
Subd .1. Community Development Director: The Community Development Director or other
official designated by the City Council shall administer and enforce this Chapter. If the Community
Development Director finds a violation of the provisions of this Chapter, the Community Development
Director shall notify the person responsible for such violation according to the procedures stated in Section
1301.12 of the Chapter.
Subd. 2. Permit Requirements:
a. Permit Required. A property owner or contractor shall obtain a permit from the City (if it meets
the provisions of this Chapter) before the:
(1) Erection, addition, modification, rehabilitation (including normal maintenance and repair),
or alteration of any building, structure, or portion thereof;
(2) Use or change of use of a building, structure, or land;
(3) Construction of a dam or a fence;
14 April 29, 2010
(4) Change, extension or expansion of a nonconforming use;
(5) Repair of a structure that has been damaged by flood, fire, tornado, or any other source; or
(6) Placement of fill, excavation of materials, or the storage of materials or equipment within
the flood plain.
b. Application for Permit. The property owner or contractor shall make application for a permit to
the City on forms furnished by the City. The applicant shall include the following information
(where applicable):
(1) Plans in duplicate drawn to scale, showing the nature, location, dimensions, and elevations
of the lot; existing or proposed structures, fill, or storage of materials; and
(2) The location of the foregoing in relation to the stream or watercourse channel.
c. State and Federal Permits. Before granting a permit or processing an application for a
conditional use permit or variance, the City shall determine that the applicant has obtained all
applicable watershed, state and federal permits.
d. Certificate of Zoning Compliance for a New, Altered, or Nonconforming Use. It shall be
unlawful for anyone 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 the City has issued a certificate of zoning compliance. This certificate shall state
that the use of the building or land meets the requirements of this Chapter.
e. Construction and Use to be as provided on Applications, Plans, Permits, Variances and
Certificates of Zoning Compliance. Permits, conditional use permits, or certificates of zoning
compliance issued based on approved plans and applications authorize only the use,
arrangement, and construction set forth in such approved plans and applications. No person shall
conduct any other use, arrangement, or construction on any site covered by such a permit or
approval. The City shall deem any use, arrangement, or construction different from what the
City authorized as a violation of this Chapter, and is punishable as outlined in Section 1301.12 of
this Chapter.
f. Certification. The applicant shall submit certification prepared by a licensed professional
engineer, architect, or land surveyor that the contractor or owner met or exceeded the
requirements of this Chapter for the finished fill and building elevations while meeting the
provisions of this Chapter. A licensed engineer or architect must certify all flood proofing
measures.
g.
Record of First Floor Elevation. The City shall maintain a record of the elevation of the lowest
floor (including basement) of all new structures and for alterations or additions to existing
structures in the flood plain. The City also shall maintain a record of the elevation to which the
owners flood proofed their structures or to which the owners made alterations and additions.
The City will base these records on the as -built survey information submitted by applicants,
contractors or property owners.
h. Notifications for Watercourse Alterations. Before the City authorizes any alteration or
relocation of a watercourse, the Community Development Director or other designated City
official shall notify adjacent cities and the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of
Natural Resources of situations that could affect the stream or a river. If the applicant has
applied for a permit to work in the beds of public waters pursuant to Minnesota Statute, Chapter
103G, this shall suffice as adequate notice to the Commissioner of the Department Natural
15 April 29, 2010
Resources. The City also shall submit a copy of said notification to the Chicago Regional Office
of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Notification to FEMA When Physical Changes Increase or Decrease the 100 -year Flood
Elevation. As soon as is practicable, but not later than six (6) months after the date such
supporting information becomes available, the Community Development Director shall notify
the Chicago Regional Office of FEMA of the physical changes affecting flood elevation by
submitting a copy of said technical or scientific data.
Subd. 3. Board of Adjustment and Appeals:
a. Rules. The City establishes a Board of Adjustment and Appeals as provided in Chapter 402 of
the City Code. The Board shall adopt rules for the conduct of business and may exercise all of
the powers as allowed by State law and the City Code.
b. Administrative Review. The Board of Adjustment and Appeals shall hear and decide appeals
where it is alleged there is error in any order, requirement, decision, or determination made by an
administrative official in the enforcement or administration of this Chapter.
c. Variances. The Board of Adjustment and Appeals may authorize, upon appeal in specific cases,
such relief or variance from the terms of this Chapter that would not be contrary to the public
interest and only for those circumstances such as hardship, practical difficulties or circumstances
unique to the property under consideration, as provided in State law or rules. In the granting of
such variance, the Board of Adjustment and Appeals shall clearly identify in writing the specific
conditions that existed consistent with the criteria specified in this Chapter, any other zoning
regulations in the City, and in the state legislation that justified granting the variance. No
variance shall have the effect of allowing in any district uses prohibited in that zoning district,
allow or permit a lower degree of flood protection than the regulatory flood protection elevation
for the particular area, or permit standards lower than those required by state law. The following
additional variance criteria of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also must
be satisfied:
(1)
(2) The City shall only issue variances when there is a:
(i) Showing of good and sufficient cause,
(ii) Determination that failure to grant the variance would result in exceptional hardship to
the applicant or property owner, and
(iii) Determination that the granting of a variance would not result in increased flood
heights, additional threats to public safety, extraordinary public expense, create nuisances,
cause fraud on or victimization of the public, or conflict with existing local laws or City
ordinances.
(3)
d. Hearings. Upon filing with the Board of Adjustment and Appeals an appeal from a decision of
the Community Development Director, or an application for a variance, the Board shall fix a
reasonable time for a hearing and shall give due notice to the parties of interest as specified by
16 April 29, 2010
The City shall not approve variances within any designated regulatory floodway if the
variance would result in an increase in flood levels during the base flood discharge.
The City shall only approve variances upon determining that the variance is the minimum
necessary, considering the flood hazard, to afford the applicant relief.
law. The City shall submit by mail to the Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources
a copy of the application for proposed variances at least ten days before the hearing.
e. Decisions. The Board shall arrive at a decision on such appeal or variance within the time limits
as set by State law. When approving an appeal, the Board of Adjustment and Appeals may, so
long as such action meets the provisions of this Chapter, reverse or affirm, wholly or in part, or
modify the order, requirement, decision or determination of the Community Development
Director or other City official. The Board shall make its decision in writing setting forth the
findings of fact and the reasons for its decisions. In granting a variance, the Board may require
conditions and safeguards such as those specified in Section 1301.10, Subd. 4f that meet the
purposes of this Chapter. The City shall deem violations of such conditions and safeguards,
when made a part of the terms under which the City grants the variance, a violation of this
Chapter punishable under the provisions listed in Section 1301.12. The City shall forward by
mail a copy of all decisions granting variances to the Commissioner of the Department of
Natural Resources within ten (10) days of such action.
f. Appeals. Applicants or property owners may make appeals from any decision of the Board as
specified in the City Code or by Minnesota Statutes.
g.
Flood Insurance Notice and Record Keeping. The Community Development Director shall
notify the applicant for a variance that:
(1) Issuing 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.
The City shall maintain a record of such notification with a record of all variance actions. The
City 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.
Subd. 4. Conditional Uses. The City Council shall hear and decide applications for conditional uses
permits permissible under this Chapter. Applicants or property owners shall submit applications for
conditional use permits to the City Community Development Department. City staff will then forward the
application to the Planning Commission for consideration. After taking action on the request, the Planning
Commission shall refer the application to the City Council for a decision.
a. Hearings. Upon receiving an application for a conditional use permit, the City shall submit to
the Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources by mail a copy of the application for
proposed conditional use permit at least ten days before the City holds the public hearing.
b. Decisions. The City Council shall arrive at a decision on a conditional use permit within the
time limits as set by State law. In granting a conditional use permit, the City Council shall
prescribe conditions and safeguards, in addition to those specified in Section 1301.10, Subd. 4f
of this Chapter, that are consistent with the purposes of this Chapter and of those in the City
Code. The City shall deem violations of such conditions and safeguards, when made a part of
the terms that the City grants the conditional use permit, a violation of this Chapter punishable
under the provisions listed in Section 1301.12 of this Chapter. The City shall forward by mail a
17 April 29, 2010
copy of all decisions granting conditional use permits to the Commissioner of Department of
Natural Resources within ten (10) days of such action.
c. Procedures. The following is a listing of the procedures that the City shall follow when
considering conditional use permit applications in all Flood Plain Districts:
(1) The applicant shall furnish the following information and any additional information as the
City or City staff deems necessary for the City Council to determine the suitability of the
particular site for the proposed use:
(a) Plans in triplicate 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; and
(b) Specifications for building construction and materials, flood proofing, filling, dredging,
grading, channel improvement, storage of materials, water supply and sanitary facilities.
(2) Transmit one copy of the information described in subsection (a) (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. The applicant or responsible party shall be responsible for all the costs of this
review.
(3) Based upon the technical evaluation of the designated engineer or expert, the City shall
determine the specific flood hazard at the site and evaluate the suitability of the proposed use
in relation to the flood hazard.
d. When reviewing applications and making decisions about conditional use permits, the Planning
Commission and the City Council shall consider all relevant factors specified in this Chapter,
and:
18 April 29, 2010
(1) The danger to life and property due to increased flood heights or velocities caused
by encroachments in the flood plain, flood way or channel
(2) The danger that water or flooding may sweep materials 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 contents to flood damage and the
effect of such damage on the individual owner.
(5) The importance of the services that proposed facility would provide to the City.
(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 near future.
(9) The relationship of the proposed use to the City's Comprehensive Plan and flood
plain management program for the area.
(10) The safety and availability of vehicle access to the property in times of flood for
non emergency and for emergency vehicles.
(11) The expected heights, velocity, duration, rate of rise, and sediment transport of the
floodwaters expected at the site.
(12) Such other factors that the City decides are relevant to the purposes of this Chapter
and of those in the City Code.
e. Time for Acting on Application. The City Council shall act on an application in the manner
described above within 60 days from receiving the application, except that where additional
information is required pursuant to the provisions listed in Section 1301.10, Subd. 4 c of this
Chapter and as allowed by State law. The City shall provide the applicant a written decision
about the need for additional information within the time limits specified by State law.
f. Conditions Attached to Conditional Use Permits. Upon considering the factors listed above and
the purpose of this Chapter, the City Council may attach conditions as a part of the approval of
conditional use permit as it deems necessary to fulfill the purposes of this Chapter and of those
listed in the City Code. Such conditions may include, but are not limited to, the following:
(1) Modification of waste disposal and 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, dikes,
levees, and other protective measures.
(5) Flood proofing measures that meet the requirements of the Minnesota State Building Code
and this Chapter. 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.
1301.11: NONCONFORMING USES
Subd. 1. The owner or operator of a structure or the use of a structure or premises that was lawful
before the City adopts this Chapter but that does not meet the provisions of this Chapter may continue to
own and use the structure and property, subject to the following conditions (there are no known historic
structures in Mounds View):
a. No owner or operator shall expand, change, enlarge or alter a nonconforming use or structure in
a way that increases its nonconformity.
b. The owner or operator proposing to alter or add on to, or make any change to a nonconforming
structure, property or nonconforming use in the flood way or flood fringe district may do so if:
(1) They protect the entire building, structure or use to the regulatory flood protection
elevation; or
(2) The alterations or changes would occur within the inside dimensions of the building or
structure and if the construction methods for the alteration uses flood resistant materials that do
not to result in an increase to the flood damage potential of that use or structure.
In all cases, the owner or operator must provide the required protection in accordance with any
of the elevation on fill or flood proofing techniques (i.e., FP -1 thru FP -4 flood proofing
classifications) allowable in the Minnesota State Building Code, except as further restricted in
Sections 1301.11, Subd. 1 c and Subd. 1 f below.
c. The cost of all structural alterations or additions to any nonconforming structure over the life of
the structure shall not exceed 50 percent of the market value of the structure unless the owner
19 April 29, 2010
satisfies the conditions of this Section. The cost of all structural alterations and additions must
include all costs such as construction materials and a reasonable cost placed on all manpower or
labor. If the cost of all previous and proposed alterations and additions exceeds 50 percent of the
market value of the structure, then the structure must meet the standards of Sections 1301.04 and
1301.05 of this Chapter for new structures depending upon whether the structure is in the
Floodway or Flood Fringe District, respectively.
d. If the owner or operator of a building or a property discontinues any nonconforming use for 12
consecutive months, then thereafter owner or operator and the use of the building or the premises
shall meet all the provisions of this Chapter. The City shall request that the County Assessor
notify the City in writing of instances where the County has information about the user or property
owner having discontinued the use of a nonconforming use or property for a period of 12 months.
e. If any nonconforming use or structure is substantially damaged, as defined in Section 1301.02,
Subd. 8t of this Chapter, the owner shall not reconstruct the use or structure except when such
construction or reconstruction would meet the provisions of this Chapter. The applicable
provisions for establishing new uses or new structures listed in Sections 1301.04 and 1301.05 will
apply depending upon whether the use or structure is in the Floodway, Flood Fringe or General
Flood Plain District, respectively. The City does not allow the owner of a nonconforming structure
that is in the Floodway that is substantially damaged to repair or reconstruct the structure.
(1) Any nonconforming use that the City determines is a nuisance shall not be entitled to
continue as a nonconforming use.
f. If an owner or user of a property makes a substantial improvement to a property, as defined in
Section 1301.02, Subd. 8u of this Chapter, including any combination of a building or structural
addition to the outside dimensions of the existing building or a rehabilitation, reconstruction,
alteration, or other improvement to the inside dimensions of an existing nonconforming building,
then the building addition and the existing nonconforming building must meet the requirements of
Section 1301.04 or 1301.05 of this Chapter for new structures, depending upon whether the
structure is in the Floodway or Flood Fringe District, respectively. A nonconforming structure
shall not be substantially improved if the structure is located in the Floodway.
1301.12: PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION
Subd. 1. The violation of the provisions of this Chapter or the failure to meet any of its requirements
(including violations of conditions and safeguards established in connection with the approval of variances
or conditional use permits) shall constitute a misdemeanor and shall be punishable as defined by law or by
the City Code.
Subd. 2. Nothing contained herein shall prevent the City from taking lawful action as is necessary to
prevent or remedy any violation. Such actions may include, but are not limited to:
a. In responding to a suspected Chapter violation, the Community Development Director and the
City may use the full array of enforcement actions available to it including, but not limited to,
prosecution and fines, injunctions, after the -fact permits, orders for corrective measures or a
request to the National Flood Insurance Program for denial of flood insurance availability to the
guilty party. The City will act in good faith to enforce these official controls and to get
responsible parties to correct violations to the extent possible so as not to jeopardize eligibility in
the National Flood Insurance Program.
20 April 29, 2010
b. When a violation of this Chapter is either discovered by or brought to the attention of the
Community Development Director or the City, the Community Development Director shall
immediately investigate the situation and document the nature and extent of the possible
violation. As soon as is reasonably possible, the City shall submit this information to the
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) Regional Office along with the City's plan of action to have the property owner or
responsible party correct the violation to the degree possible.
c. The Community Development Director shall notify the suspected responsible party or property
owner of the requirements of this Chapter and all other official controls and the nature and extent
of the suspected violation of these controls. If the structure or use is under construction or
development, the Community Development Director may order the owner or contractor to stop
immediately all construction or development activities until the City grants a permit or approval
for the proposed construction or development. If the owner, contractor or developer has already
completed the construction or development, then the City or the Community Development
Director may either:
(1) Issue an order identifying the corrective actions that the owner or responsible party
must make 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 to the City for an after the -fact
permit/development approval within a specified period of time not to exceed 30 -days.
d. If the responsible party does not respond to the City or to the Community Development Director
within the specified period of time, each additional day that lapses shall constitute an additional
violation of this Chapter and the City shall prosecute the responsible party accordingly. Upon
the lapse of the specified response period, the City or the Community development Director shall
notify the responsible party or landowner to restore the land or structure to the condition that
existed before the violation of this Chapter.
1301.13: AMENDMENTS
Subd. 1. The flood plain designation on the City Flood Plain Zoning Map shall not be removed from
flood plain areas unless it can be shown that the designation is in error or that the area has been filled to or
above the elevation of the regulatory flood protection elevation and is contiguous to lands outside the flood
plain. The Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources may approve special exceptions to this
requirement if the Commissioner determines that, through other measures, lands are adequately protected
for the intended use.
Subd. 2. The City must submit all proposed amendments to this Chapter, including amendments to
the Official Zoning Map, for approval by the Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources before
the City adopts such amendments. Changes in the Official Zoning Map must meet the Federal Emergency
Management Agency's (FEMA's) Technical Conditions and Criteria and must receive approval from
FEMA before adoption. The City must give the Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources at
least 10 -days written notice of all hearings to consider an amendment to this Chapter. Said notice shall
include a draft of the Chapter amendment or technical study that the City is considering.
21 April 29, 2010
SECTION 3. This ordinance shall take effect and be in effect 30 days from and after its passage
and publication, in accordance with Section 3.09 of the City Charter.
Introduction and First Reading by the Mounds View City Council: April 26, 2010
Second Reading and Adoption by the Mounds View City Council: May 10, 2010
Publication Date: May 20, 2010
ATTEST:
(seal)
22 April 29, 2010
1 cvvue4 Fi2,uA.De/k—
James Ericson, City Clerk- Administrator
ORDINANCE SUMMARY
ORDINANCE NO. 842
CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW
RAMSEY COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 1301 OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY CODE
THAT REPLACES THE EXISTING FLOOD PLAIN ZONING LANGUAGE WITH ALL
NEW FLOOD PLAIN MANAGEMENT LANGUAGE
On May 10, 2010, the Mounds View City Council adopted an ordinance that replaces all
the existing City flood plain zoning language in the City Code with all new flood plain
management language.
The ordinance is on file and available for public viewing at the office of the Clerk
Administrator. The ordinance is posted in its entirety on the City's website, located at
www.ci.mounds view.mn.us
)cwvteo
James Ericson
Clerk- Administrator