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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 045 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 22-045 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council March 1, 2022 �aT� • Page 1 of 2 xA. SUBJECT: REVISIONS TO THE FLOODPLAIN PROVISIONS ORDINANCE VA 1673 This Informal Report is to provide information on the planned revisions to City Code Chapter 7, Article VI II, Floodplain Provisions (the Floodplain Ordinance). The revisions are necessary for the City's ongoing participation in the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), and are in advance of a March 8, 2022 Mayor and Council Communication recommending City Council approval of the ordinance revisions. The City's participation in the NFIP makes flood insurance available city-wide, and the associated Community Rating System (CRS) promotes flood risk awareness and currently provides a 10% discount on Federal Flood Insurance premiums to Fort Worth residents based on the City's flood mitigation efforts. The Floodplain Ordinance update is being presented on a schedule to meet the April 2022 CRS Verification Visit and will maintain the City's participation in CRS. The proposed revisions are primarily administrative in nature and either satisfy NFIP/CRS compliance requirements or clarify existing policy. Stakeholder Engagement Stormwater Management staff has maintained extensive stakeholder engagement to identify and work through questions and concerns associated with the proposed updates. Since a number of the changes impact the review and permitting of private development projects, the Development Advisory Committee (DAC) and the DAC Stormwater Subcommittee were key participants in this effort. Additionally, the proposed revisions were prepared in close coordination with the larger effort to update multiple aspects of the development and permitting process in order to improve consistency and eliminate ambiguity across the City's development requirements. Law Department staff were engaged throughout the process, as well as FEMA regulatory staff and CRS program auditors. Recommended Floodplain Ordinance Revisions • Revised the list of definitions to match current FEMA • Consistent terminology • Added FEMA Substantial Improvement and Substantial Damage language • Added building equipment elevation standards to reflect recent FEMA and CRS requirements • Updated the Floodway section to reflect updated FEMA policy • Updated the permit process to clarify application steps and submittal requirements • Re-organized the Variance section and added a deadline for approval / denial • Added new subsections for temporary structures, temporary storage, temporary construction, critical facilities, tanks, fences and walls meeting FEMA requirements ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 22-045 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council March 1, 2022 �aT� • Page 2 of 2 x� SUBJECT: REVISIONS TO THE FLOODPLAIN PROVISIONS ORDINANCE WA 1673 Timeline • March 8, 2022: City Council Meeting for consideration / adoption of Floodplain Ordinance updates • April 28, 2022: CRS Verification Visit/ Program Audit • Summer 2022: Future Floodplain Ordinance updates in conjunction with updates to other development focused ordinances, regulations, and manuals Questions about this Informal Report can be directed to Clair Davis, Floodplain Administrator, TPW Stormwater Management at 817-392-5981. David Cooke City Manager ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS