Title:
Set Public Hearing on Amendments to the Mecklenburg County Floodplain Regulations
Summary
ACTION:
Set a public hearing to be held at the October 16, 2018 Board meeting to receive comments on proposed revisions to the Mecklenburg County Floodplain Regulations
with the intent to adopt the proposed revisions following the public hearing
Staff Contact: Don Ceccarelli, PE, LUESA-Storm Water Services
Presentation: No
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has completed revisions to the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for a portion of Mecklenburg County. The FIRMs show property most susceptible to flooding, and are used by staff to regulate development, and by FEMA and homeowners for flood insurance purposes. The revised FIRMs become effective on November 16, 2018. This date is mandated by FEMA and all jurisdictions impacted by the new maps (Mecklenburg, Charlotte, Cornelius, Huntersville, Davidson, and Mint Hill) must amend their floodplain ordinance to include this date prior to November 16, 2018.
This action is required in order for Mecklenburg County to remain a participating community in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Participation in NFIP makes federally-backed flood insurance available to property owners within Mecklenburg County.
The State of North Carolina issued a new Model Floodplain Ordinance Template in 2017 for use by communities that included several required changes and some recommended changes. County staff evaluated the changes and (at the recommendation of the Storm Water Advisory Committee, SWAC) formed a stakeholders group to review the updated ordinance proposed by staff. Staff updated the Floodplain Ordinance (using the City of Charlotte ordinance as an example) and on June 29, 2018, the Stakeholders unanimously endorsed the proposed changes to the ordinance. On July 19, 2018, SWAC unanimously endorsed the updated ordinance and on July 20, 2018, the State floodplain agency (North Carolina Department of Public Safety, NCDPS) reviewed the updated floodplain ordinance and deemed it compliant with the NFIP requirements. County staff also proposed some changes to bring the County’s ordinance up-to-date with Floodplain Ordinances for the City and Towns. The County Attorney has reviewed and approved the proposed Mecklenburg County Floodplain Regulations.
The proposed amendments are included in the document provided: Proposed Mecklenburg County Floodplain Regulations
The Mecklenburg County Floodplain Regulations apply to only approximately one square mile of land within unincorporated Mecklenburg County that lies outside of the planning jurisdictions (and associated floodplain regulations) of the City of Charlotte and the six towns. Floodplains make up less than 50 acres of the land regulated by the Mecklenburg County Floodplain Regulations.
PROCUREMENT BACKGROUND:
N/A
POLICY IMPACT:
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A