Laserfiche WebLink
7.4.B. - Page 1 <br /> REPORT <br /> To the Honorable Mayor and City Council <br /> From the City Manager <br /> January 26, 2015 <br /> SUBJECT <br /> Ordinance Amendment — Chapter 41 Floodplain Management <br /> RECOMMENDATION <br /> Waive Second Reading and Adopt an Ordinance Amending Chapter 41 of the Municipal <br /> Code, Floodplain Management. <br /> BACKGROUND <br /> The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) produces Flood Insurance Rate <br /> Maps (FIRMs) and manages the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), of which the <br /> City of Redwood City is a participant. Without this participation, the City's residents <br /> would have to obtain costly flood insurance for their homes. <br /> As part of the NFIP, FEMA conducts periodic Community Assistance Visit (CAV) with <br /> member communities to assess the effectiveness of local floodplain management <br /> ordinances and enforcement practices, and any need for technical assistance and <br /> coordination. The City had previous CAV meetings in 2004 and 2009. Based on these <br /> visits, and updated requirements, staff is recommending the attached ordinance be <br /> adopted. The first reading and introduction of the ordinance amendment occurred on <br /> January 12, 2015. <br /> ANALYSIS <br /> On August 6, 2014 FEMA representative met with the City Engineer (the designated <br /> floodplain administrator) and staff to review the program and the City's Ordinance. A <br /> required action resulting from the CAV is to amend the City's Floodplain Management <br /> Ordinance to bring it up to date with the model ordinance provided by FEMA. This <br /> ordinance amendment is a prerequisite for continual participation in the NFIP. <br /> The City's current Floodplain Management Ordinance, among other things, requires the <br /> Administrator to insure that all new structures in the floodplain be raised above the <br /> elevation of base flood. If the structure cannot be raised, then the structure has to be <br /> flood-proofed by FEMA standards. The proposed amendment includes clarification on <br /> development permit, development of substantial improvement, flood openings, garages <br /> and accessory structures, and standards for manufactured homes and recreational <br /> vehicles. <br />