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83-065 ORD PROVIDING CODE OF ORDINANCES BE AMENDED BY ADDING APPENDIX B-1 TO SAID CODE ORDINANCE N0. 83-065 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS, TEXAS, PROVIDING THAT THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, CITY OF PARIS, BE AMENDED BY ADDING APPENDIX B-1 TO SAID CODE; PROVIDING FOR FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION; PROVIDING FOR A PENALTY P10T TO EXCEED $1,000.00; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IPd CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF DECEMBER l, 1983. BE IT OKDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS: Section 1. That the Code of Ordinances of the City of Paris, Paris, Texas, be amended by adding thereto Appendix B-1 which reads as follows: "See Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof." Section 2. Any person violating any of the provisions of this ordinance shall be guilty of a Class "C" Misdemeanor, and on conviction shall be fined in any sum not to exceed 71,000.00, and each and every day's continuance of any violation of the above enumerated section shall constitute and be cieemed a separate offense. Section 3. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby expressly repealed. Section 4. This ordinance shall become effective on December 1, 1983. Passed and adopted this 17th day of October, 1983. 0"V L.,~ oJoE ra am, ayor ATTEST: 1.... ~ H. C!Gre ne, City C er APPROVED AS 0 FORM: T. K. Haynes, ity Attorney APPENDIX B-1 FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION ORDINANCE N0. ARTICLE I. STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION, FINDINGS OF FACT, PURPOSE AND METHODS Section A. Statutory Authorization. The Legislature of the State of Texas has in V.T.C.A Water Code 16.315 delegated the responsibility to local governmental units to adopt regulations designed to minimize flood losses. Therefore, the City Council of the City of Paris, Paris, Texas does ordain as follows: Section B. Findings of Fact. (1) The flood hazard areas of the City of Paris, Paris, Texas, are subject to periodic inundation which results in loss of life and property, health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and governmental services, and extraordinary public expenditures for flood protection and relief, all of which adversely affect the public health, safety and general welfare. (2) These flood losses are created by the cumulative effect of obstructions in flood plains which cause an increase in flood heights and velocities, and by the occupancy of flood hazard areas by uses vulnerable to floods and hazardous to other lands because they are inadequately elevated, flood proofed, or otherwise protected from flood damage. Section C. Statement of Purpose. It is the purpose of this ordinance to promote the public health, safety and general welfare and to minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions in specific areas by provisions designed to: (1) To protect human life and health; (2) To minimize expenditure of public money for costly f lood control proj ects ; (3) To minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding and generally undertaken at the expense of the general public; (4) To minimize prolonged business interruptions; (5) To minimize damage to public facilities and utilities such as water and gas mains, electric, telephone and sewer lines, streets and bridges located in flood plains; (6) To help maintain a stable tax base by providing for the sound use and development of flood-prone areas in such a manner as to minimize future flood blight areas; and, (7) To insure the potential buyers are notified that property in in a flood area. -1- SECTION D. Methods of Reducing Flood Losses In order to accomplish its purpose, this ordinance uses the following methods: (1) Restrict or prohibit uses that are dangerous to health, safety or property in times of flood, or cause excessive increases in flood heights or velocities; (2) Require that uses vulnerable to floods, including tacilities which serve such uses, be protected against flood damage at the time of initial construction; (3) Control the alteration of natural flood plains, stream channels, and natural protective barriers, which are involved in the accommodation of flood waters; (4) Control filling, grading, dredging and other development which may increase flood damage; (5) Prevent or regulate the construction of flood barriers which will unnaturally divert flood waters or which may increase flood hazards to other lands. ARTICLE 2. DEFINITIONS. Unless specifically defined below, words or phrases used in this ordinance shall be interpreted to give them the meaning they have in common usage and to give this ordinance its most reasonable application. Administrator - means Director of Community Development Appeal - Means a request for a review of the Director of Cor.ununity Development's interpretation of any provisions of this ordinance or a request for a variance. Area of Shallow Flooding - means a designated A0, AH, or VU Zone on a community's Flood Insurance P.ate Map (FIRM) with a one percent or greater chance of flooding to an average depth of one to three feet where a clearly defined channel does not exist, where the path of flooding is unpr•edictable and where velocity flow .ay be evident. Such flooding is characterized by ponding or sheet flow. Area of Special Flood Hazard - is the land in the flood plain within a community subject to a one percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year. The area may be designated as Zone A on the FHBM. After detail- ed ratemaking has been completed in preparation for publication of the FIRM, Zone A usually is refined into Zone A, A0, AH, Al-99, V0, or V1-30. Base Flood - means the flood having a one percent chance of being equalled or exceed in any given year. Development - means any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to, buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations. -2- Existing Mobile Home Park or Mobile Home Subdivision - means a parcel (or contiguous parcels) of land divided into two or more mobile home lots for rent or sale for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lot on which the mobile home is to be affixed (includ- ing, at a minimum, the installation of utilities, either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads, and the construction of streets) is completed before the effective date of this ordinance. Expansion to an Existing Mobile Home Park or Mobile Home Subdivision - means the preparation of additional sites by the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the mobile homes are to be affixed (including the installation of utilities, either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads, or the con- struction of streets). Flood or Flooding - means a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from: (1) The overflow of inland or tidal waters. (2) The unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source. Flood Hazard Boundary Map (FHBM) - means an official map of a community, issued by the Federal Insurance Adminis- tration, where the areas within the boundaries of special flood hazards have been designated as Zone A. Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) - means an official map of a community, on which the Federal Insurance Adminis- tration has delineated both the areas of special flood hazards and the risk premium zones applicable to the community. Flood Insurance Study - is the official report provided by the Federal Insurance Administration. The report contains flood profiles, the water surface elevation of the base flood, a.s well as the Flood Hazard Boundary Floodway Map. Floodway - means the channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than one foot. Habitable Floor - means any floor usable for living purposes, which includes working, sleeping, eating, cooking or recreation, or a combination thereof. A tlood used for storage purposes only is not a"habit- able floor". Highest Adjacent Grade - means the highest natural elevation of the ground surtace prior to construction next to the proposes walls of a structure. Mean Sea Level - r.leans the average height of the sea for all stages of the tide. Mobile Home - means a structure, transportable in one or more sections, which is built on a permanent chassis designed to be used with or without a permanent founda- tion when connected to the required utilities. It does not include recreational vehicles or travel trailers. -3- Mean Higher. High Tide - The mean higher high tide is the average high tide reached over a period of a lunar cycle, roughly a period of 19 years. Texas Open Beaches Act - This statute, enacted by the Texas Legislature in 1959, prohibits encroachment by private owners on the area seaward of the line of vegetation in areas fronting on the Gulf of Mexico. New Mobile Home Park or Mobile Home Subdivision - means a parcel (or contiguous parcels) of land divided into two or more mobile home lots for rent or sale for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lot on which the Mobile home is to be affixed (including, at a minimum, the installation of utilities, either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads, and the construction of streets) is completed on or after the effective da-te of this ordinance. Start of Construction - means the first placement of permanent construction of a structure (other than a Mobile home) on a site, such as the pouring of slabs or footings or any work beyond the stage of excavation. Permanent construction does not include land prepara- tion, such as clearing, grading, and filling; nor does it include the installation of streets and/or walkways; nor does it include. excavation for a basement, foot- ings, piers or foundations or the erection of temporary forms; nor does it include the installation on the property of accessary buildings, such as garages or sheds not occupied as dwelling units or not as part of the main structure. For a structure (other than a mobile home) without a basement or poured footings, the "start of construction" includes the first permanent framing or assembly of the structure or any part thereof on its piling or foundation. For mobile homes not within a mobile home park or mobile home subdivi- sion, "start of construction" means the affixing of the mobile home to its permanent site. For mobile homes within mobile home parks or mobile home subdivisions, "start of construction" is the date on which the construction of facilities for servicing the site on which the mobile home is to be affixed (including, at a rninimum, the construction of streets, either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads, and installa- tion of utilities) is completed. Structure - means a walled and roofed building that is principally above ground, as well as a mobile home. Substantial Improvement - means any repair, reconstruction, or improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50 percent of the market value of the structure either, (1) before the improvement or repair is started, or (2) if the structure has been damaged and is being restored, before the damage occurred. For the purposes of this definition "substantial improve- ment" is considered to occur when the first alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor, or other structural part of the building commences, whether or not that altera- tiori affects the external dimensions of the structure. The term does not, however, include either (1) any project for improvement of a structure to comply with existing State of local health, sanitary, or safety code specifications which are solely necessary to assure safe living conditions, or (2) any alteration of a structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places or a State Inver.tory of Historic Places. -4- Variance - is a grant of relief to a person from the requirements of this ordinance when specific enforce- ment would result ir unnecessary hardship. A variance, therefore, permits construction or development in a manner otherwise prohibited by this ordinance. ARTICLE 3. GENERAL PROVISIONS. Section A. Lands to which this Ordinance Applies. This ordinance shall apply to all areas of special flood hazard within the jurisdiction of the City of Paris, Paris, Texas. Section B. Basis for Establishir_g the Areas of Special Flood Hazard. The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal Insurance Administration in a scientific and engi- neering report entitled "The Flood Insurance Study for the City of Paris, Texas," dated April 15, 1983, with accompany- ing Flood Insurance Rate Maps and Flood Hazard Boundary- -Floodway Maps and any revision thereto are hereby adopted by reference and declared. to be a part of this ordinance. Section C. Establishment of Development Permit. A Development Permit shall be required to ensure conformance with the provisions of this ordinance. Section D. Compliance Pdo Structure or land shall hereafter be located, altered, or have its use changed without full compliance with the terms of this ordinance and other applicable regulations. Section E. Abrogation and Greater Restrictions. This ordinance is not intended to repeal, abrogate, or impair any existing easements, covenants, or deed restric- tions. However, where this ordinance and another conflict or overlap, whichever imposes the more stringent restric- tions shall prevail. Section F. Interpretation. In the interpretation and application of this ordi- nance, all provisions shall be: (1) considered as minimum requirements; (2) liberally constructed in favor of the governing body; and (3) deemed neither to limit nor repeal any other powers granted under State statutes. Section G. Warning and Disclaimer of Liability. The degree of flood protection required by this ordi- nance is considered reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on scientific and engineering considerations. On rare occasions greater floods can and will occur and flood heights may be increased by man-made or natural causes. This ordinance does not imply that land outside the areas of special flood hazards or uses permitted within such areas will be free from flooding or flood damages. This ordinance shall not create liability on the part of The City of Paris, Paris, Texas or any officer or employee thereof for any flood damages that result from reliance on this ordinance or any administrative decision lawfully made thereunder. -5- ARTICLE 4. ADMINISTRATION. Section A. Designation af Administrator The Director of Conununity Development is hereby ap- pointed to administer and implement the provisions of this ordinance. Section B. Duties ard Responsibilities of the Administrator. Duties and responsibilities of the Administrator shall include, but not be limited to: (1) Maintain and hold open for public inspection all records pertaining to the provisions of this ordinance; (2) Review, approve or deny all application for development permits required by Article 3, Section C of this ordinance; (3) Review permits for proposed development to assure that all necessary permits have been obtained from those Federal, State or local governmental agencies from which prior approval is required; (4) Where interpretation is needed as to the exact location of the boundaries of the areas of special flood hazards (for example, where there appears to be a conflict between a mapped boundary and actual field conditions) the Administrator shall make the necessary interpretation. The person contesting the location af the boundary shall be given a reasonable opportunity to appeal the interpreta- tion as provided in Section D(2) of this Article. (5) Notify adjacent communities and the State of Texas prior to any alteration or relocation of a water- course, and submit evidence of such notification to the Federal Insurance Administration; (6) Assure that maintenance is provided within the altered or relocated portion of said watercourse so that the flood carrying capacity is not dimin- ished. (7) When base flood elevation data has not been provided in accordance with Article 3, Section B, the Administrator shall obtain, review, and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation data available from a Federal, State, or other source, in order to administer the provision of Article 5. Section C. Permit Procedures. (1) Application for a Development PerMit shall be presented to the Administrator on forms furnished by him and may include, but not be limited to, plans in duplicate drawn to scale showing the locations, dimensions, and elevation of proposed landscape alterations, existing and proposed structures, and the location of the foregoing in relation to areas of special flood hazard. Additionally, the following information is required: -6- (a) Elevation in relation to mean sea level, of the lowest floor (including basement) of all proposed structures; (b) Elevation in relation to mean sea level to which any non-residential structure shall be floodproofed; (c) A certificate from a registered professional engineer or architect that the non- residential floodproofed structure shall rieet the floodproofing criteria of Article 5, Section B (2); (d) Description of the extent to which any watercourse or naturaZ drainage will be altered or relocated as a result of proposed development. (2) Approval or denial of a Development Permit by the Administrator shall be based on all of the pro- visions of this ordinance and the following relevant factors: (a) The danger to life and property due to flooding ar erosion damage; (b) The susceptibility of the proposed facility and its contents to flood damage and the effect of such damage on the individual owner; (c) The danger that materials may be swept onto other lands to the injury of others; (d) The compatibility of the proposed use with existing and anticipated development; (e) The safety of access to the property in times of flood for ordinary and emergency vehicles; (f) The costs of providing governmental services during and after flood conditions including maintenance and repair of streets and bridges, and public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical, and water systems. (g) The expected heights, velocity, duration, rate of rise and sediment transport of the flood waters and the effects of wave action, if applicable, expected at the site; (h) The necessity to the facility of a waterfront location, where applicable; (i) The availability of alternative locations, not subject to flooding or erosion damage, for the proposed use; (j) The relationship of the proposed use to the comprehensive plan for that area. Section D. Variances Procedures. (1) The City Council as established by the City of Paris, Paris, Texas, shall hear and render judge- ment on requests for variances form the require- ments of this ordir.ance. -7- (2) The City Council shall hear and render judgement on an appeal only when it is alleged there is an error in any requirement, decision, or determina- tion made by the Administrator in the enforcement or administration of this ordinance. (3) Any person or persons aggrieved by the decision of the City Council may appeal such decisions in the courts of competent jurisdiction. (4) The Administrator shall maintain a record of all actions involving an appeal and shall report variances to the Federal Insurance Administration upon request. (5) Variances may be issued for the reconstruction, rehabilitation or restoration of structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places or the State Inventory of Historic Places, without regard to the procedures set forth in the remainder of this section. (6) Generally, variances may be issued for new con- struction and substantial improvements to be erected on a lot of one-half acre or less in size contiguous to and surrounded by lots with existing structures constructed below the base flood level, providing the relevant factors in Section C(2) of this Article have been fully considered. As the lot size increases beyond the one-half acre, the technical justification required for issuing the variance increases. (7) Upon consideration of the factors noted above and the intent of this ordinance, the City Council may attach such conditions to the granting of vari- ances as it deems necessary to further the purposes and objectives of this ordinance (Article 1, Section C and D). (8) Variances shall. not be issued within any desig- nated floodway if any increase in flood levels during the base flood discharge wotild result. (9) Prerequisites for grantir_g variances: (a) Variances shall only be issued upon a deter- mination that the variance is the minimum necessary, considering the flood hazard, to afford relief. (b) Variances shall only be issued upon (i) a showing of good and sufficient cause, (ii) a determination that failure to grant the variance would result in exceptional hardship to the applicant, and (iii) a determination that the granting of a variance will not result in increased flood heights, additional threats t:o public safety, extraordinary public expense, create nuisances, cause fraud on or victimization of the public, or con- flict with existing local laws or ordinances. (c) Any applicant to whom a variance is granted shall be given written notice that the structure will be permitted to be build stating the lowest floor elevation and the number of feet below the base flood ele- vation, and that the cost of flood insurance -8- will be commensurate with the increased risk resulting from the reduced lowest floor elevation. ARTICLE 5. PROVISIONS FOR FLOOD HAZARD REDUCTION. Section A. General Standards. In all areas of special flood hazards the following provisions are required: (1) All new constrizction and substantial improvements shall be anchored to prevent flotation, collapse or lateral movement of the structure; (2) Al1 new construction or substantial improvements shall be constructed by methods and practices that minimize flood damage; (3) Al1 new construction or substantial improvements shall be constructed with materials and utility equipment resistant to flood damage; (4) All new and replacement water supply systems shall be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood waters into the system; (5) New and replacement sanitary sewage systems shall be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood waters into the system and discharges from the systems into flood waters; and, (6) On site waste disposal systems shall be located to avoid impairment to them or contamination from them during flooding. Section B. Specific Standards. In all areas of special flood hazards where base flood elevation data has been provided as set forth in (i) Article 3, Section B, (ii) Article 4, Section B, (7), or (iii) Article 5, Section D, (3) the following provisions are required: (1) Residential Construction - New Construction or substantial improvement of any residential struc- ture shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above the base flood Plevation. A registered professional engineer, architect, or land surveyor shall submit a certi- fication to the Administrator that the standard of this subsection, as proposed in Article 4, Section C (1) (a), is satisfied. (2) Non-residential Construction - New Construction or substantial improvement of any commercial, indus- trial or other non-residential structure shall either have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to the level of the base flood elevation or, together with attendant utility ard sanitary tacilities, be .floodproofed so that below the base flood level the structure is water tight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water and with structural components having the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynaMic loads and effects of buoyancy. A registered professional engineer or architect shall submit a certification to the Administrator -9- that the standards of this subsection as proposed in Article 4, Section C(1) (c), are satisfied. (3) Mobile Homes - (a) No mobile home shall be placed in a floodway, or if applicable, a coastal high hazard area, except in an existing mobile home park or existing mobile home subdivision. (b) All mobile homes shall be anchored to resist flotation, collapse, or lateral movement. Specific requirements shall be: (i) over-the-top ties at each of the four corners of the mobile home, with two additional ties per side at intermediate locations and mobile homes less than 50 feet long requiring one addi.tional tie per side; (ii) frame ties at each corner of the home with five additional ties per side at intermediate points and mobile homes less than 50 feet long requiring four additional ties per side; (iii) all components of the anchoring system be capable of carrying a force of 4,800 pounds; (iv) any additions to the mobile home be similarly anchored. (c) For new mobile home parks and subdivisions; for expansions to existing mobile home parks and subdivisions; for existing mobile home parks and. subdivisions where the repair, reconstruction or improvement of the streets, utilities and pads equals or exceeds 50 percent of value of the streets, utilities and pads before the repair, reconstruction or improvemen.t has commenced; and for mobile homes not placed in a mobile home park or subdivision require: (i) stands or lots are elevated on compacted fill or on pilings so that the lowest floor of the mobile home will be at or above the base flood level. A registered professional engineer, architect, or land surveyor shall submit a certification to the Administrator that the standard of this paragraph complies with Section B(1) of this Article. (ii) adequate surface drainage and access for a hauler are provided; and, (iii) in the instance of elevation on pilings: (1) lots are large enough to permit steps, (2) piling foundations are placed in stable soil no more than ten feet apart, and (3) reinforcement is provided for pilings more than six feet above the ground level. -10- (4) Floodways - located within areas of special flood hazard established in Article 3, Section B are areas designated as floodways. Since the floodway is an extremely hazardous area due to the velocity of flood waters which carry debris, potential projectiles and erosion potential, the following provisions shall apply: (a) Encroachments are prohibited, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements and other developments unless certification by a professional registered engineer or architect is provided demonstrating that encroachments shall not result in any increase in flood levels during occurrence of the base flood discharge. (b) If Article 5, Section B(4) (a) above is satisfied, all new construction and substan- tial improvements shall comply with all applicable flood hazard reduction provisions of Article S. (c) Prohibit the placement of any mobile homes, except in an existing mobile home park or subdivision. Section C. Standards for Areas of Shallow Flooding (AO Zones). Located within the areas of special flood hazard established in Article 3 Section B are areas designated as shallow flooding. These areas have a special flood hazards associated with base flood depths of 1 to 3 feet where a clearly defined channel does not exist and where the path of flooding is unpredictable and indeterminate; therefore, the following provisions a.pply: (1) All new construction ana substantial improvements of residential structures have the lowest floor (incluc~ing -basement) elevated above the highest adjacent grade at least as high as the depth number specified ir feet on the community's FIRM (at least two feet if no depth number is specified). (2) All new construction and substantial improvements of nonresidential structures: (i) have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated above the highest adjacent grade at least as high as the depth number specified in feet on the community's FIRM (at least two feet if no depth number is specified), or; (ii) together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities be designated so that below the base flood level the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water and with structural compo- nents having the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads of effects of buoyancy. (3) A registered professional engineer or architect shall submit a certification to the Administrator that the standa.rds of this Section, as proposed in Article 4 Section C(1) (a) are satisfieci. -11- (4) Require within Zones AH and A0, adequate drainage paths around structures on slopes, to guide floodwaters around and away from proposed struc- tures. Section D. Standards for Subdivision Proposals. (1) All subdivision. proposals shall be consistent with Article l, Sections B, C and D of this ordinance. (2) All proposals for the development of subdivisions shall meet Development Permit requirements of Article 3, Section C, Article 4, Section C, and the provisions of Article 5 of this ordinance. (3) Base flood elevation data shall be provided for subdivision proposals and other proposed develop- ment which is greater than the lesser of 50 lots or 5 acres, if not otherwise provided pursuant to Article 3, Section B or Article 4, Section B(7) of this ordinance. (4) All subdivision proposals shall have adequate drainage provided to reduce exposure to flood hazards. (5) All subdivision proposals shall have public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical and water systems located and con- structed to minimize flood damage. ARTICLE 6. ENFORCEMENT Section A. Penalty for Violation. Any person violating any of the provisions of this ordinance shall be guilty of a Class "C" Misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be fined in any sum not to exceed $1,000.00, and each and every day's continuance of any violation of the above enumerated section shall constitute and be deemed a separate offense. Section B. Effective Date. This ordinance shal:l become effective on December l, 1983. Fassed and adopted this 17th day of October, 1983. -12-