HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrd. 107 - Flood Plain
CITY OF ANDOVER
COUNTY OF ANOKA
STATE OF MINNESOTA
ORDINANCE NO. 107
AN ORDINANCE REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 50, ADOPTED SEPTEMBER 12,
1980 AND ORDINANCE NO. 50A, ADOPTED NOVEMBER 3, 1981 KNOWN AS
THE FLOODPLAIN ORDINANCE.
AN ORDINANCE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF FLOOD PLAINS IN THE CITY OF
ANDOVER, ANOKA COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANDOVER DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1.0
AND PURPOSE
STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION. FINDINGS OF FACT
1.1 Statutory Authorization. The Legislature of the State of Minnesota has,
in Minnesota Statutes Chapter 103F and 462, delegated the responsibility to local
governmental units to adopt regulations designed to minimize flood losses.
Therefore, the City Council of Andover, Minnesota does ordain as follows:
1.2 Findings of Fact.
1.21 The flood hazard areas of Andover, Minnesota are subject to
periodic inundation which results in potential loss of life, loss of property,
health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and government
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.
1.22 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.
1.3 Statement of Purpose. It is the purpose of this Ordinance to promote the
public health, safety, and general welfare and to minimize those losses described
in Section 1.21 by provisions contained herein.
SECTION 2.0
GENERAL PROVISIONS.
2.1 Lands to Which Ordinance Applies. This Ordinance shall apply to all
lands within the jurisdiction of the City of Andover shown on the Official Zoning
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Map and/or the attachments thereto as being located within the boundaries of the
Floodway, Flood Fringe, or General Flood Plain Districts.
2.2 Establishment of Official Zoning Map. The Official Zoning Map
together with all materials attached thereto is hereby adopted by reference and
declared to be a part of this ordinance. The attached material shall include the
following:
1. Flood Insurance Study for the City of Andover prepared by the Federal
Insurance Administration dated March, 1980.
2. Flood Boundary and Floodway Map, and Flood Insurance Rate Map
dated September 30, 1980 and the amended map panels (10 of 15 and 15
of 15 dated July 18, 1983).
3. A copy of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
approval letter dated January 17, 1995 (including appropriate attachments)
referencing the amended floodway boundary revision (map panel 0015)
along Coon Creek between cross-sections "L" and "M" just upstream of
the South Coon Creek Drive.
The Official Zoning Map shall be on file in the office of the City Clerk
and Zoning Administrator.
2.3 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.
2.4 Interpretation.
2.41 In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this
Ordinance shall be held to be minimum requirements and shall be liberally
construed in favor of the governing body and shall not be deemed a
limitation or repeal of any other powers granted by State Statutes.
2.42 The boundaries of the zoning districts shall be determined by
scaling distances on the Official Zoning Map. Where interpretation is
needed as to the exact location of the boundaries of the 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 ofthe decision of the Zoning Administrator, the Board
of Adjustment shall make the necessary interpretation. All decisions will
be based on elevations on the regional (lOO-year) flood profile and other
available technical data. Persons contesting the location of the district
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boundaries shall be given a reasonable opportunity to present their case to
the Board and to submit technical evidence.
2.5 Abrogation and Greater Restrictions. No structure or land shall
hereafter be used and no structure shall be located, extended, converted, or
structurally altered without full compliance with the terms of this Ordinance
and other applicable regulations which apply to uses within the jurisdiction of this
Ordinance.
2.6 Warning and Disclaimer of Liability. This Ordinance does not imply
that areas outside of the flood plain districts or land uses permitted within such
districts will be free from flooding or flood damages. This Ordinance shall not
create liability on the part of the City of Andover or any officer or employee
thereof for any flood damages that result from reliance on this Ordinance or any
administrative decision lawfully made thereunder.
2.7 Severability. If any section, clause, provision, or portion of this
Ordinance is adjudged unconstitutional or invalid by a court of competent
jurisdiction, the remainder of this Ordinance shall not be affected thereby.
2.8 Definitions. Unless specifically defined below, words or phrases used in
this Ordinance shall be interpreted so as to give them the same meaning as they
have in common usage and so as to give this Ordinance its most reasonable
application.
2.811 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.
2.812 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 ofthe excavation below ground level.
2.813 Conditional Use - means a specific type of structure or land use
listed in the official control that may be allowed but only after an in-depth
review procedure and with appropriate conditions or restrictions as
provided in the official zoning controls or building codes and upon a
finding that: (1) certain conditions as detailed in the Zoning Ordinance
exist and (2) the structure and/or land use conform to the Comprehensive
Plan and are compatible with the existing neighborhood.
2.814 Equal Degree of Encroachrnent - a method of determining the
location of floodway boundaries so that flood plain lands on both sides of
a stream are capable of conveying a proportionate share of flood flows.
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2.815 E).QQd - a temporary increase in the flow or stage of a stream or in
the stage of a lake that results in the inundation of normally dry areas.
2.816 Flood Frequency - the frequency for which it is expected that a
specific flood stage or discharge may be equaled or exceeded.
2.817 Flood Frin~e - that portion of the flood plain outside of the
floodway. Flood fringe is synonymous with the term "floodway fringe"
used in the Flood Insurance Study for the City of Andover.
2.818 Flood Plail;) - the beds proper and the areas adjoining a wetland,
lake or watercourse which have been or hereafter may be covered by the
regional flood.
2.819 Flood-Proofin~ - a combination of structural provisions, changes,
or adjustments to properties and structures subject to flooding, primarily
for the reduction or elimination of flood damages.
2.820 Floodway - the bed of a wetland or lake and the channel of the
watercourse and those portions of the adjoining flood plain which are
reasonably required to carry and discharge the regional flood.
2.821 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 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.
2.822 Principal Use or Structure - means all uses or structures that are not
accessory uses or structures.
2.823 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 typically constitute a reach.
2.824 Re~ional 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.
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2.825 Re2ulatol)' 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.
2.826 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,
travel trailerslvehicles not meeting the exemption criteria specified in
Section 9.31 of the Ordinance and other similar items.
2.827 Variance - means a modification of a specific permitted
development standard required in an official control including 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, practical difficulty or
unique circumstances a defined and elaborated upon in a community's
respective planning and zoning enabling legislation.
SECTION 3.0
ESTABLISHMENT OF ZONING DISTRICTS.
The flood plain areas within the jurisdiction of this ordinance are hereby divided into
three districts: Floodway District (FW), Flood Fringe District (FF), and General Flood
Plain District (GFP).
3.1 Districts.
3.11 Floodway District. The Floodway District shall include those
areas designated as floodway on the Floodway Boundary and Floodway
Map adopted in Section 2.2.
3.12 Flood Frin2e District. The Flood Fringe District shall include
those areas designated as floodway fringe on the Flood Boundary and
Floodway Map adopted in Section 2.2.
3.13 General Flood Plain District. The General Flood Plain District
shall include those areas designated as unnumbered A Zones on the Flood
Insurance Rate Map adopted in Section 2.2.
The boundaries of these districts shall be shown as an attachment to the
Official Zoning Map.
3.2 Compliance. No new structure or land shall hereafter be used and no
structure shall be located, extended, converted, or structurally altered without full
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compliance with the terms of this Ordinance and other applicable regulations
which apply to uses within the jurisdiction of this Ordinance. Within the
Floodway, Flood Fringe and General Flood Plain Districts, all uses not listed as
permitted uses or conditional uses in Sections 4.0, 5.0 and 6.0 that follow,
respectively, shall be prohibited. In addition, a caution is provided here that:
3.21 New manufactured homes, replacement manufactured homes and
certain travel trailers and travel vehicles are subject to the general
provisions of this Ordinance and specifically Section 9.0.
3.22 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 this Ordinance
and specifically Section 11.0; and
3.23 As-built elevations for elevated or flood proofed structures must be
certified by ground surveys and flood proofing techniques must be
designed and certified by a registered professional engineer or architect
as specified in the general provisions of this Ordinance as stated in
Section 10.0 of this Ordinance.
SECTION 4.0 FLOODW A Y DISTRICT (J?W)
4.1 Permitted Uses.
4.11 General farming, pasture, grazing, outdoor plant nurseries,
horticulture, truck farming, forestry, sod farming, and wild crop
harvesting.
4.12 Industrial-commercial loading areas, parking areas, and airport
landing strips.
4.13 Private and public golf courses, tennis courts, driving ranges,
archery ranges, picnic grounds, boat launching ramps, swimming areas,
parks, wildlife and nature preserves, game farms, fish hatcheries, shooting
preserves, target ranges, trap and skeet ranges, hunting and fishing areas,
and single or multiple purpose recreational trails.
4.14 Residential lawns, gardens, parking areas, and play areas.
4.2 Standards for Floodway Permitted Uses.
4.21 The use shall have a low flood damage potential.
4.22 The use shall be permissible in the underlying zoning district.
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4.23 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.
4.3 Conditional Uses.
4.31 Structures accessory to the uses listed in 4.1 above and the uses
listed in 4.32 - 4.38 below.
4.32 Placement offill.
4.33 Extraction and storage of sand, gravel, and other materials.
4.34 Marinas, boat rentals, docks, piers, wharves, and water control
structures.
4.35 Railroads, streets, bridges, utility transmission lines, and pipelines.
4.36 Storage yards for equipment, machinery, or materials.
4.37 Travel trailers and travel vehicles either on individual lots of record
or in existing or new subdivisions or commercial or condominium type
campgrounds, subject to the exemptions and provisions of Section 9.3 of
this Ordinance.
4.38 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.
4.4 Standards for Floodway Conditional Uses.
4.41 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 a Conditional Use that will
cause any increase in the stage of the lOO-year or regional flood or cause
an increase in flood damages in the reach or reaches affected.
4.42 All Floodway Conditional Uses shall be subject to the procedures
and standards contained in Section 10.4 of this Ordinance.
4.43 The Conditional Use shall be permissible in the underlying zoning
district.
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4.44 Fill.
(a) Fill, dredge spoil and all similar materials deposited or
stored in the flood plain shall be protected from erosion by
vegetative cover, mulching, riprap or other acceptable method.
(b) Dredge spoil sites and sand and gravel operations shall not
be allowed in the floodway unless a long-term site development
plan is submitted which includes an erosion/sedimentation
prevention element to the plan.
(c) As an alternative, and consistent with Subsection (b)
immediately above, dredge spoil disposal and sand and gravel
operations may allow temporary, on-site storage offill or other
materials which would have caused an increase to the stage of the
100 year or regional flood but only after the Governing Body has
received an appropriate plan which assures the removal of the
materials from the floodway based upon the flood warning time
available. The Conditional Use Permit must be title registered
with the property in the Office of the County Recorder.
4.45 Accessory Structures.
(a) Accessory structures shall not be designed for human
habitation.
(b) Accessory structures, if permitted, shall be constructed and
placed on the building site so as to offer the minimum obstruction
to the flow of flood waters.
(1) Whenever possible, structures shall be constructed with
the longitudinal axis parallel to the direction of flood flow,
and
(2) So far as practicable, structures shall be placed
approximately on the same flood flow lines as those of
adjoining structures.
(c) Accessory structures shall be elevated on fill or structurally dry
flood proofed in accordance with FP-I or FP-2 flood proofing
classifications in the State Building Code. As an alternative, an
accessory structure may be flood proofed to the FP-3 or FP-4 flood
proofing classification in the State building code provided the
accessory structure constitutes a minimal investment, does not
exceed 500 square feet in size, and for a detached garage, the
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detached garage must be used solely for parking of vehicles and
limited storage. All flood proofed accessory structures must meet
the following additional standards, as appropriate:
(1) The structure must be adequately anchored to
prevent flotation, collapse or lateral movement of the
structure and shall be designed to equalize hydrostatic
flood forces on exterior walls; and
(2) Any mechanical and utility equipment in a structure
must be elevated to or above the Regulatory Flood
Protection Elevation or properly flood proofed.
4.46 Storage of Materials and Equipment.
(a) The storage or processing of materials that are, in time of
flooding, flammable, explosive, or potentially injurious to human,
animal, or plant life is prohibited.
(b) Storage of other materials or equipment may be allowed if
readily removable from the area within the time available after a
flood warning and in accordance with a plan approved by the
Governing Body.
4.47 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 Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 103G.
Community-wide structural works for flood control intended to remove
areas from the regulatory flood plain shall not be allowed in the floodway.
4.48 A levee, dike or floodwall constructed in the floodway shall not
cause an increase to the 100-year or regional flood and the technical
analysis must assume equal conveyance or storage loss on both sides of a
stream.
SECTION 5.0
FLOOD FRINGE DISTRICT (.FF)
5.1 Permitted Uses. Permitted Uses shall be those uses ofland or structures
listed as Permitted Uses in the underlying zoning use district(s). All Permitted
Uses shall comply with the standards for Flood Fringe "Permitted Uses" listed in
Section 5.2 and the "Standards for all Flood Fringe Uses" listed in Section 5.5.
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5.2 Standards for FloOd Fringe Permitted Uses.
5.21 All structures, including accessory structures, must be elevated on
fill so that the lowest floor including basement floor is at or above the
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation. The finished fill elevation for
structures shall be no lower than one (I) foot below the Regulatory Flood
Protection Elevation and the fill shall extend at such elevation at least
fifteen (15) feet beyond the limits of any structure erected thereon.
5.22 As an alternative to elevation on fill, accessory structures that
constitute a minimal investment and that do not exceed five hundred (500)
square feet for the outside dimension at ground level may be internally
flood proofed in accordance with Section 4.45 (c).
5.23 The cumulative placement offill where at anyone time in excess
of one thousand (1,000) cubic yards offill is located on the parcel shall be
allowable only as a Conditional Use, unless said fill is specifically
intended to elevate a structure in accordance with Section 5.21 of this
Ordinance.
5.24 The storage of any materials or equipment shall be elevated on fill
to the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation.
5.25 The provisions of Section 5.5 of this Ordinance shall apply.
5.3 Conditional Uses. Any structure that is not elevated on fill or flood
proofed in accordance with Sections 5.21 - 5.22 or any use ofland that does not
comply with the standards in Sections 5.23 - 5.24 shall only be allowable as a
Conditional Use. An application for a Conditional Use shall be subject to the
standards, criteria and evaluation procedures specified in Section 5.4 - 5.5 and
10.4 of this Ordinance.
5.4 Standards for Flood Fringe Conditional Uses.
5.41 Alternative elevation methods other than the use of fill may be
utilized 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 base or floor of an enclosed area
shall be considered above-grade and not a structure's basement or lowest
floor if: I) the enclosed area is above-grade on at least one side of the
structure; 2) it is designed to internally flood and is constructed with flood
resistant materials; 3) it is used solely for the parking of vehicles, building
access or storage.
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The above-noted alternative elevation methods are subject to the following
additional standards:
(a) Design and Certification. The structure's design and as-built
condition must be certified by a registered professional engineer or
architect as being in compliance with the general design standards
of the State Building Code and, specifically, that all electrical,
heating, ventilation, plumbing and air conditioning equipment and
other service facilities must be at or above the Regulatory Flood
Protection Elevation or designed to prevent flood water from
entering or accumulating within these components during times of
flooding.
(b) Specific Standards for Above-grade, Enclosed Areas. Above-
grade, fully enclosed areas such as crawl spaces or tuck under
garages must be designed to internally flood and the design plans
must stipulate:
(I) The minimum area of openings in the walls where
internal flooding is to be used as a flood proofing
technique. When openings are placed in a structure's walls
to provide for entry of flood waters to equalize pressures,
the bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one-foot
above grade. Openings may be equipped with screens,
louvers, valves, or other coverings or devices provided that
they permit the automatic entry and exit of flood waters.
(2) That the enclosed area will be designed of flood
resistant materials in accordance with the FP-3 or FP-4
classifications in the State Building Code and shall be used
solely for building access, parking of vehicles or storage.
5.42 Basements, as defined by Section 2.812 of this Ordinance, shall be
subject to the following:
(a) Residential basement construction shall not be allowed below
the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation.
(b) Non-Residential basements may be allowed below the
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation provided the basement is
structurally dry flood proofed in accordance with Section 5.43 of
this Ordinance.
5.43 All areas of non residential structures including basements to be
placed below the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation shall be flood
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proofed in accordance with the structurally dry flood proofing
classifications in the State Building Code. Structurally dry flood proofing
must meet the FP-l or FP-2 flood proofing classification in the State
Building Code and this 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
hydrodynamic loads and the effects of buoyancy. Structures flood proofed
to the FP-3 or FP-4 classification shall not be permitted.
5.44 When at anyone time or more than 1,000 cubic yards offill 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 unless the city is enforcing a state
approved shore land management ordinance. In the absence of a state
approved shore land ordinance, the plan must clearly specify methods to be
used to stabilize the fill on site for flood event at a minimum of the 100-
year regional flood event. The plan must be prepared and certified by a
registered professional engineer or other qualified individual acceptable to
the City. The plan may incorporate alternative procedures for removal of
the material from the flood plain if adequate flood warning time exists.
5.45 Storage of Materials and Equipment.
(a) The storage or processing of materials that are, in time of
flooding, flammable, explosive, or potentially injurious to human,
animal, or plant life is prohibited.
(b) Storage or other materials or equipment may be allowed if
readily removable from the area within the time available after a
flood warning and in accordance with a plan approved by the City.
5.46 The provisions of Section 55 of this Ordinance shall also apply.
5.5 Standards for All Flood Fringe Uses.
5.51 All new principal structures must have vehicular access at or above
an elevation not more than two feet below 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 the times of flooding and only after determining that
adequate flood warning time and local flood emergency response
procedures exist.
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5.52 Commercial Uses. Accessory land uses, such as yards, railroad
tracks, and parking lots may be at elevations lower than the Regulatory
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 inundate to a depth greater then two feet or be subject to flood
velocities greater than four feet per second upon occurrence of the regional
flood.
5.53 Manufacturing and Industrial Uses. Measures shall be taken to
minimize interference with normal plant operations especially along
streams having 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 5.52 above. In considering permit
applications, due consideration shall be given to needs of an industry
whose business requires that it be located in flood plain areas.
5.54 Fill shall be properly compacted and the slopes shall be properly
protected by the use of riprap, 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.
5.55 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 a floodway or other encroachment
limit has not been specified on the Official Zoning Map.
5.56 Standards for travel trailers and travel vehicles are contained in
Section 9.3.
5.57 All manufactured homes must be securely anchored to an
adequately anchored foundation system that resists flotation, collapse and
lateral movement. Methods of anchoring may include, but are not 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.
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SECTION 6.0 GENERAL FLOOD PLAIN DISTRICT.
6.1 Permitted Uses.
6.11 Permitted uses shall include those uses permitted by Section 4.1 in
this Ordinance.
6.12 All other uses shall be subject to the floodway/flood fringe
evaluation criteria pursuant to Section 6.2 below. Section 4.0 shall apply
if the proposed use is in the Floodway District and Section 5.0 shall apply
if the proposed use is in the Flood Fringe District.
6.2 Procedures for Floodway and Flood Fringe Determinations within the
General Flood Plain District.
6.21 Upon receipt of an application for a Conditional Use Permit for a
use within the General Flood Plain District, the applicant shall be required
to furnish such of the following information as is deemed necessary by the
Zoning Administrator for the determination of the Regulatory Flood
Protection Elevation and whether the proposed use is within the Floodway
or Flood Fringe districts.
(a) A typical valky cross-section showing the channel of the
stream, elevation ofland areas adjoining each side of the channel,
cross-sectional areas to be occupied by the proposed development,
and high-water information.
(b) flml (surface view) showing elevations or contours of the
ground; pertinent structure, fill, or storage elevations; size, location
and spatial arrangement of all proposed and existing structures on
the site; location and elevations of streets; photographs showing
existing land uses and vegetation upstream and downstream; and
soil type.
(c) Profile showing the slope of the bottom of the channel or flow
line of the stream for at least 500 feet in either direction from the
proposed development.
6.22 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 and to determine the Regulatory Flood Protection
Elevation. Procedures consistent with Minnesota Regulations 1983, Parts
6120.50006120.6200 shall be followed in this expert evaluation. The
designated engineer or expert is strongly encouraged to discuss the
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proposed technical evaluation methodology with the respective
Department of Natural Resources' Area Hydrologist prior to commencing
the analysis. The Designated engineer or expert shall:
(a) Estimate the peak discharge ofthe regional flood.
(b) Calculate the water surface profile of the regional flood
based upon a hydraulic analysis of the stream channel and
overbank areas.
(c) Compute the floodway necessary to convey the regional
flood without increasing flood stages more than 0.5 feet. A lesser
stage increase than 0.5 feet shall be required if, as a result of the
additional stage increase, increased flood damage would result. An
equal degree of encroachment on both sides of the stream within
the reach shall be assumed in computing floodway boundaries.
6.23 The Zoning Administrator shall present the technical evaluation
and findings of the designated engineer or expert to the Planning and
Zoning Commission. The Planning and Zoning Commission must
formally accept the technical evaluation and the recommended
Floodway and/or Flood Fringe District boundary or deny the permit
application. the City Council, prior to official action, may submit the
application and all supporting data and analyses to the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, the Department of Natural Resources or the
Planning and Zoning Commission for review or comment. Once the
Floodway and Flood Fringe Boundaries have been determined, the
governing body shall refer the matter back to the Zoning Administrator
who shall process the permit application consistent with the applicable
provisions of Section 4.0 and 5.0 ofthis Ordinance.
SECTION 7.0
SUBDIVISIONS.
7.1 Review Criteria. No land shall be subdivided which is held unsuitable by
the City Council for reason of flooding, inadequate drainage, water supply or
sewage treatment facilities. All lots within the flood plain districts shall contain a
building site at or above the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation. All
subdivisions shall have water and sewage disposal facilities that comply with the
provisions of any City ordinance and have road access both to the subdivision and
to the individual building sites no lower than two feet below the regulatory Flood
Protection Elevation. For all subdivisions in the Flood Plain, the Floodway and
Flood Fringe boundaries, the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation and the
required elevation of all access roads shall be clearly labeled on all required
subdivision and platting drawing documents.
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7.2 Floodway/Fringe Determinations In the General Flood Plain District.
In the General Flood Plain District, applicants shall provide the information
required in Section 6.2 of this Ordinance to determine the 100-year flood
elevation, the Floodway and Flood Fringe District boundaries and the Regulatory
Flood Protection Elevation for the subdivision site.
7.3 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 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.
SECTION 8.0
BRIDGES.
PUBLIC UTILITIES. RAILROADS. ROADS. AND
8.1 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 in accordance with the State Building Code or elevated to above the
Regulatory Flood protection Elevation.
8.2 Public Transportation Facilities. Railroad tracks, roads, and bridges to
be located within the Floodway District shall comply with Sections 4.31 and 4.32
of this ordinance. 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. Minor or auxiliary 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.
8.3 On-site Sewage Treatment and Water Supply Systems. Where public
utilities are not provided:
(a) On-site water supply systems must be designed to minimize or
eliminate infiltration of flood waters into the systems; and
(b) New or replacement on-site sewage treatment systems must be
designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood waters into the
systems and discharge from the systems into flood waters and they shall
not be subject to impairment or contamination during times of flooding.
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Any sewage treatment system designed in accordance with the State's current
statewide standards for on-site sewage treatment systems shall be determined to
be in compliance with this section.
SECTION 9.0 MANUFACTURED HOMES AND MANUFACTURED
HOME PARKS AND PLACEMENT OF TRAVEL TRAILERS AND TRAVEL
VEHICLES.
9.1 New manufactured home parks and expansions to existing manufactured
home parks shall be subject to the provisions placed on subdivisions by Section
7.0 of this Ordinance.
9.2 The placement of new or replacement of manufactured homes in existing
manufactured home parks or on individual lots of record that are located in flood
plain districts will be treated as new structures and may be placed only if elevated
in compliance with Section 5.0 of the Ordinance. If vehicular road access for pre-
existing manufactured home parks is not provided in accordance with Section
5.51, then replacement manufactured homes will not be allowed until the property
owner(s) develops a flood warning emergency plan acceptable to the City.
9.21 All manufactured homes must be securely anchored to an
adequately anchored foundation system that resists flotation, collapse and
lateral movement. Methods of anchoring may include, but are not 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.
9.3 Travel trailers and travel vehicles that do not meet the exemption criteria
in Section 9.31 below, shall be subject to the provisions of this Ordinance and as
specifically spelled out in Sections 9.33 - 9.34 below.
9.31 Exemption. Travel trailers and travel vehicles are exempt from the
provisions of this Ordinance if they are placed in any area listed in Section
9.32 below and further they meet the following criteria:
(a) Have current licenses required for highway use.
(b) Are highway ready meaning on wheels or the internal jacking
system, are attached to the site only by quick disconnect type
utilities commonly used in campgrounds and trailer parks and the
travel trailer or travel vehicle has no permanent structural type
additions attached to it.
(c) The travel trailer or travel vehicle and associated use must be
permissible in any pre-existing, underlying zoning use district.
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9.32 Areas Exempted For Placement of TravellRecreational Vehicles:
(a) Individual lots or parcels of record.
(b) Existing commercial recreational vehicle parks or
campgrounds.
(c) Existing condominium type associations.
9.33 Travel trailers and travel vehicles exempted in Section 9.31 lose
this exemption when development occurs on the parcel exceeding $500
dollars for a structural addition to the travel trailerltravel vehicle or an
accessory structure such as a garage or storage building. The travel
trailerltravel vehicle and all additions and accessory structures will then be
treated as a new structure and shall be subject to the elevation/flood
proofing requirements and the use of land restrictions specified in Section
4.0 and 5.0 of this Ordinance.
9.34 New commercial travel trailer or travel vehicle parks or
campgrounds and new residential type subdivisions and condominium
associations and the expansion of any existing similar use exceeding five
(5) units or dwelling sites shall be subject to the following:
(a) Any new or replacement travel trailer or travel vehicle will be
allowed in the Floodway or Flood Fringe Districts provided said
trailer or vehicle and its contents are placed on fill above the
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation and proper elevated roads
access to the site exists in accordance with Section 5.51 of this
Ordinance. No fill placed in the floodway to meet the
requirements of this Section shall increase flood stages of the 100-
year or regional flood.
(b) All new or replacement travel trailers or travel vehicles not
meeting the criteria of (a) above may, as an alternative, be allowed
as a Conditional Use if in accordance with the following provisions
and the provisions of Section 10.4 of this Ordinance. The
applicant must submit an emergency plan for the safe evacuation of
all vehicles and people during the 100 year flood. Said plan shall
be prepared by a registered engineer or other qualified individual
and shall demonstrate that adequate time and personnel exist to
carry out the evacuation. All attendant sewage and water facilities
for new or replacement travel trailers or other recreational vehicles
must be protected or constructed so as not to be impaired or
contaminated during times of flooding in accordance with Section
8.3 of this Ordinance.
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SECTION 10.
ADMINISTRATION.
10.1 Zoning Administrator. A Zoning Administrator designated by the City
Council shall administer and enforce this Ordinance. Ifhelshe finds a violation of
the provisions of this Ordinance the Zoning Administrator shall notify the person
responsible for such violation in accordance with the procedures stated in Section
12.0 of this Ordinance.
10.2 Permit Requirements.
10.21 Permit Required. A Use Permit issued by the Zoning
Administrator in conformity with the provisions of this Ordinance 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 a 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 flood plain.
10.22 Application for Permit. Application for a Use Permit shall be
made in duplicate to the Zoning Administrator on forms furnished by the
Zoning Administrator and shall include the following where applicable:
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 the location of the foregoing in relation to the
stream channel.
10.23 State and Federal Permits. Prior to granting a Use 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.
10.24 Certificate of Zoning Compliance for a New, Altered, or
Nonconforming Use. 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 Zoning Compliance shall have been issued by the
Zoning Administrator stating that the use of the building or land conforms
to the requirements of this Ordinance.
10.25 Construction and Use to be as Provided in Applications, Plans,
Permits, and Certificate of Zoning Compliance. Use Permits, Conditional
Use Permits, or Certificates of Zoning Compliance 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
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use, arrangement, or construction. Any use, arrangement, or construction
at variance with that authorized shall be deemed violation of this
Ordinance, and punishable as provided by Section 12.0 of this Ordinance.
10.26 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 ofthis ordinance. Flood-proofing
measures shall be certified by a registered professional engineer or
registered architect.
10.27 Record of First Floor Elevation. The Zoning Administrator shall
maintain a record of the elevation of the first floor (including basement) of
all new structures or additions to existing structures in the flood plain
districts. Helshe shall also maintain a record of the elevations to which
structures or additions to structures are flood-proofed.
10.3 Board of Adjustment. A Board of Adjustment is hereby established.
10.31 Rules. The Board of Adjustment shall adopt rules for the conduct
of business and may exercise all of the powers conferred on such Boards
by State Law.
10.32 Administrative Review. The Board 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 Ordinance.
10.33 Variances. The Board may authorize upon appeal in specific cases
such variance from the terms of this Ordinance as will 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 for in the respective enabling legislation for
planning and zoning for cities or counties as appropriate. In the granting
of such variance, the Board of Adjustment shall clearly identify in writing
the specific conditions that existed consistent with the criteria specified in
the respective enabling legislation which justified the granting of the
variance. No variance shall have the effect of allowing in any district uses
prohibited in that district, 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.
10.34 Hearings. Upon filing with the Board of Adjustment of an appeal
from a decision of the Zoning Administrator, or an application for a
variance, the Board shall fix a reasonable time for a hearing and give due
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notice to the parties in interest. 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.
10.35 Decisions. The Board shall arrive at a decision on such appeal or
variance within sixty (60) days. In passing upon an appeal the Board may,
so long as such action is in conformity with the provisions of this
Ordinance, reverse or affirm, wholly or in part, or modify the order,
requirement, decision or determination of the Zoning Administrator or
other public official. It 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 prescribe appropriate conditions and safeguards such as
those specified in Section 10.46, which are in conformity with the
purposes of this Ordinance. Violations of such conditions and safeguards,
when made a part of the terms under which the variance is granted, shall
be deemed a violation of this Ordinance punishable under Section 12.0. A
copy of all decisions granting variances shall be forwarded by mail to the
Commissioner of Natural Resources within ten (10) days of such action.
10.36 Appeals. Appeals from any decision of the Board may be made,
and as specified in the City's Official Controls and also Minnesota
Statutes.
10.37 Flood Insurance Notice and Record Keeping. The Zoning
Administrator shall notify the applicant for a variance that: I) 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 lOO-year or regional flood level increases risks to life and property.
Such notification shall be maintained with a record of all variances
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.
10.4 Conditional Uses. Applications shall be submitted to the Zoning
Administrator who shall forward the application to the Planning and Zoning
Commission for consideration. The Planning and Zoning Commission shall hear
and forward recommendations regarding applications to the City Council for
Conditional Uses permissible under this Ordinance.
10.41 Hearings. Upon filing with the Zoning Administrator an
application for a Conditional Use Permit, the Zoning Administrator shall
submit by mail to the Commissioner of Natural Resources a copy of the
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application for proposed Conditional Use sufficiently in advance so that
the Commissioner will receive at least ten (10) days notice of the hearing.
10.42 Decisions. the City Council shall arrive at a decision on a
Conditional Use within sixty (60) days. In granting a Conditional Use
Permit the City Council shall prescribe appropriate conditions and
safeguards, in addition to those specified in Section 10.46, which are in
conformity with the purposes of this Ordinance. Violations of such
conditions and safeguards, when made a part of the terms under which the
Conditional Use Permit is granted, shall be deemed a violation of this
Ordinance punishable under Section 12.0. A copy of all decisions
granting Conditional Use Permits shall be forwarded by mail to the
Commissioner of Natural Resources within ten (10) days of such action.
10.43 Procedures to be Followed by the City Council in Passing on
Conditional Use Permit Applications Within All Flood Plain Districts.
(a) Require the applicant to furnish such of the following
information and additional information as deemed necessary by the
Planning and Zoning Commission for determining the suitability of
the particular site for the proposed use:
(1) Plans in triplicate drawn to scale showing the nature,
location, dimensions, and elevations 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.
(2) Specifications for building construction and materials,
flood-proofing, filling, dredging, grading, channel
improvement, storage of materials, water supply and
sanitary facilities.
(b) Transmit one copy of the information described in subsection
(1) 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.
(c) Based upon the technical evaluation of the designated engineer
or expert, the Planning and Zoning Commission shall determine
the specific flood hazard at the site and evaluate the suitability of
the proposed use in relation to the flood hazard.
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10.44 Factors Upon Which the Decision of the City Council Shall Be
Based. In passing upon Conditional Use Applications, the City Council
shall consider all relevant factors specified in other sections of this
Ordinance, and
(a) The danger oflife and property due to increased flood heights
or velocities caused by encroachments.
(b) The danger that materials may be swept onto other lands or
downstream to the injury of others.
(c) The proposed water supply and sanitation systems and the
ability of these systems to prevent disease, contamination, and
unsanitary conditions.
(d) The susceptibility of the proposed facility and its contents to
flood damage and the effect of such damage on the individual
owner.
(e) The importance of the services provided by the proposed
facility to the community.
(t) The requirements of the facility for a waterfront location.
(g) The availability of alternative locations not subject to flooding
for the proposed use.
(h) The compatibility of the proposed use with existing
development and development anticipated in the foreseeable future.
(i) The relationship of the proposed use to the comprehensive plan
and flood plain management program for the area.
G) The safety of access to the property in times of flood for
ordinary and emergency vehicles.
(k) The expected heights, velocity, duration, rate or rise, and
sediment transport of the flood waters expected at the site.
(1) Such other factors which are relevant to the purposes of this
Ordinance.
10.45 Time for Acting on Application. The City Council shall act on an
application in the manner described above within sixty (60) days from
receiving the application, except that where additional information is
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required pursuant to Sections 10.43 and 10.44 of this Ordinance. The City
Council shall render a written decision within sixty (60) days from the
receipt of such additional information.
10.46 Conditions Attached to Conditional Use Permits. Upon
consideration of the factors listed above and the purposes of this
Ordinance, the City Council shall attach such conditions to the granting of
Conditional Use Permits as it deems necessary to fulfill the purposes of
this Ordinance. Such conditions may include, but are not limited to, the
following:
(a) Modification of waste disposal and water supply facilities.
(b) Limitations on period of use, occupancy, and operation.
(c) Imposition of operational controls, sureties, and deed
restrictions.
(d) Requirements for construction of channel modifications, dikes,
levees, and other protective measures.
(e) Flood-proofing measures, in accordance with the State
Building Code and this Ordinance. The applicant shall submit a
plan or document certified by a registered professional engineer or
architect that the flood-proofmg measures are consistent with the
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation and associated flood factors
for the particular area.
SECTION 11.0
NONCONFORMING USES.
11.1 A structure or the use of a structure or premises which was lawful before
the passage or amendment of this Ordinance but which is not in conformity with
the provisions of this Ordinance may be continued subject to the following
conditions:
11.11 No such use shall be expanded, changed, enlarged, or altered in a
way which increases its nonconformity.
11.12 Any alteration or addition to any nonconforining structure or
nonconforming use which would result in increasing the flood damage
potential of that structure or use shall be protected to the Regulatory Flood
Protection Elevation in accordance with any of the elevation on fill or
flood proofing techniques (i.e., FP-I thru FP-4 flood proofing
classifications) allowable in the State Building Code, except as further
restricted in 11.13 below.
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11.13 The cost of arty structural alterations or additions to any
nonconforming structure over the life of the structure shall not exceed fifty
(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 constructed since the adoption of the City's initial flood plain
controls must be calculated into today's current cost which would include
all costs such as construction materials and a reasonable cost placed on all
manpower and labor. If the current cost of all previous and proposed
alterations and additions exceed fifty (50) percent of the current market
value of the structure, then the structure must meet the standards of
Section 4.0 or 5.0 of this Ordinance for new structures depending upon
whether the structure is in the Floodway or Flood Fringe, respectively.
11.14 If any nonconforming use is discontinued for twelve (12)
consecutive months, any future use of the building or premises shall
conform to this Ordinance. The assessor shall notify the Zoning
Administrator in writing of instances of nonconforming uses which have
been discontinued for a period of 12 months.
11.15 If any nonconforming use is destroyed by any means, including
floods, to an extent of fifty (50) percent or more of its market value at the
time of destruction, it shall not be reconstructed except in conformity with
the provisions of this Ordinance. The applicable provisions for
establishing new uses or new structures in Section 4.0,5.0 or 6.0 will
apply depending upon whether the use or structure is in the Floodway,
Flood Fringe or General Flood Plain District, respectively.
SECTION 12.0
PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION.
Violation of the provisions of this Ordinance 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 upon
conviction thereof shall be punished as defined by law.
Nothing herein contained shall prevent the City of Andover from taking such other lawful
action as is necessary to prevent or remedy any violation. Such actions may include but
are not limited to:
12.21 In responding to a suspect ordinance violation, the Zoning
Administrator and Local Government may utilize 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 community must
act in good faith to enforce these official controls and to correct ordinance
25
violations to the extent possible so as not to jeopardize its eligibility in the
National Flood Insurance Program.
12.22 When an ordinance 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 it 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 City's plan of action to correct the
violation to the degree possible.
12.23 The Zoning Administrator shall notify the suspected party of the
requirements of this Ordinance 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 City. If the
construction or development is already completed, the Zoning
Administrator may either (I) 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 thirty (30) days.
SECTION 13.0 AMENDMENTS.
The flood plain designation on the official 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 regional flood and is contiguous to land outside the
flood plain. Special exceptions to this rule may be permitted by the Commissioner of
Natural Resources of he determines that, through other measures, lands are adequately
protected for the intended use.
All amendments to this ordinance 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 this Ordinance and
said notice shall include a draft of the ordinance amendment or technical study under
consideration
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Andover this 21st day of February, 1995.
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CITY OF ANDOVER
Isl J. E. McKelvey
1. E. McKelvey, Mayor
ATTEST:
Isl Victoria V olk
Victoria V olk, City Clerk
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