Exh 8DAGENDA ITEM #SD
AUGUST 25, 2003
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
STAFF REPORT
AGENDA ITEM: National Flood Insurance Program/Community Rating System Report
SUBMITTED BY: Don Ford
DATE: 08/18/03
BACKGROUND: We have been reviewed by FEMA to participate in the Community
Rating System part of the National Flood Insurance Program. The
significance of this review is to point out areas of our flood protection
program that need improvement to allow the homeowners in flood
prone areas to receive better rates from the flood insurance carriers.
Attached is a copy of the results of the review in the form of a letter
from Brad G. Loar, the Community Mitigation Programs Branch
Chief;
We will be submitting proposed changes to Chapter 8 of the City
Code to comply with the NFIP requirements.
The only change that will affect new home construction is that homes
built in AE zones and A zonesl(very low lying areas such as the marsh
next to the intra-coastal) will be required to be built approximately
1.5 feet higher than houses on higher land.
BUDGET: N/A
ATTACHMENTS: Letter from Brad G. Loar, Community Mitigation Programs Branch
Chief
REVIEWED BY CITY A
REVIEWED BY CITY ~
MANAGER•
AGENDA ITEM #8D
AUGUST 25, 2003
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Region IV
3003 Chamblee-Tucker Road
Atlanta, Georgia 30341
Iuly 16, 2003
Mr. Tim Hanson
City Manager, City of Atlantic Beach
800 Seminole Road
Aflantic Beach, Florida 32233
Reference: National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
Dear Mr. Hanson:
On May 7, 2003, Rose Austin and Mary Blocker of this office met with Don. Ford„ Atlantic
Beach Building Official, to discuss. issues related to floodplain management and the NFIP.
The meeting was afollow-up to a community assistance visit conducted in March 2002. The
results of that visit were contained in a May 7, 2002, letter sent to you. The status of the
issues identified in that letter was the focus of this recent visit.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMAj.periodicallyvtsits communities to
assist with implementation and administration of their floodplain management program and
to evaluate their status as a participant in the NFIP. The NFIP was created by Congress to
provide federally backed flood' insurance coverage. It was also intended to reduce future
flood losses by improving flood damage protection at the time of initial construction. The
NFIP represents a significant program to reduce future flood risks while enabling property
owners to purchase appropriate insurance protection. There aze 2,673 flood insurance
policies in Atlantic Beach representing $516,498,600 of coverage. ,There have been 94
paid losses totaling $158,457 since 1978:
During the meeting, many of the previously identified issues were resolved. The meeting
findings and outstanding issues are summarized below.
Floodplain Management Regulations
The floodplain management regulations contained in the City's Code of Ordinances at
Chapter 8, Flood Hazazd Areas, require several modifications to meet NF1P m;n;mum
standazds. .
AGENDA ITEM #8D
AUGUST 25, 2003
2
Article I
Section 8-S. Add definition of lowest floor, whose meaning is the lowest floor of the
lowest enclosed azea (including basement). An unfinished or flood resistant
enclosure, used solely for parking of vehicles, building access, or storage, in an azea
other thati a basement, is not considered a building's lowest floor, provided that such
enclosure is not built so as to render the structure in violation of the nonelevation
design Sandazds of this ordinance.
Section 8-5. Delete "...other man-made facilities or infrastructures" from the
definition of structure.
Section 8-7. Change the Flood Insurance Study/Flood Insurance Rate Map Date to
April 17, 1989.
Article III
Section 8-33, Standards for streams without established base flood elevations and/or
floodways, should be revised by substituting the following provisions:
(a) When base flood elevation data or floodway data have not been provided in
accordance with Article 1, Sec. 8-7, then the local administrator shall obtain, review, and
reasonably utilize any base flood elevation and floodway data available from a federal,
state, or other source, in order to administer the provisions of Article III.
f
(b) In special flood hazazd areas with base flood elevations (Zones AE) but without
floodways, no encroachments, including fill material or structures, shall be permitted
unless certification by a registered professional engineer is provided demonstrating that
.the cumulative effect of the proposed development, when combined with all other
existing and anticipated development, will not increase the water surface elevation of the
base flood more than one foot at any point within the community. The engineering
certification should be supported.by.technical data that conforms to standard hydraulic
engineering principles.
(c) In special flood hazazd areas without base flood elevation and floodway data, new
construction and substantial improvements of existing structures shall have the lowest
floor of the lowest enclosed area (including basement) elevated no less than 2 feet
(recommend 2 to S feet) above the highest adjacent grade at the building site.
Permit Application
The City permit application does not contain any provisions for the information from the
Flood Insurance Study (FIS) or FIRM such as the flood zone, Base Flood Elevation (BFE),
or presence of a regulatory floodway. We recommend this information be included in the
building permit, and augmented with the location of proposed development with respect to
the Coastal Construction Control Line, the existing grade elevation(s), and the lowest floor
elevation required.
AGENDA ITEM #8D
AUGUST 25, 2003
Mr. Ford indicated that there is a citywide requirement for the lowest floor to be at or above
8.5 feet even in Zone X. As a reminder, in Zones AE and VE, the lowest floorelevation
must be at or above the BFE in the FIS/FIRM. Zone AO requires 2 foot above the highest.
adjacent natural grade. As shown in the FIS, the BFE for the Sherman Creek.Canal ranges
from 8.1 feet to 9.3 feet. These elevations should be entered on the Fioodplain Development
Information form included with the permit when the 8.5 feet elevation would be lower.
The City uses digital map data from Duval County to support flood zone determinations by
lot. Because of discrepancies with the FIRM, the flood zone determinations may not be
consistent with the zone on the FIRM. Since the FIRM is considered the Legal map for zone
determinations,, City officials should insure that development in the floodplain is at least to
the standards dictated by the FIRM. If the City has data that would support revising the
FIRM, that data should be submitted to FEMA.
Elevation. Certificates
We strongly recommend the City use the FEMA elevation certificates for documenting the
flood zone and BFE information, elevations of various floors and utilities, and other
compliance information for the structures located in the SFHA. The use of elevation.
certificates is a prerequisite for participating in the,NFIP's Communtiy Rating System,
(CRS). The certificate and directions maybe downloaded from our web site at
www.fema.gov/nf:p/elvinstshtm.
Supplemental Documentation
Please send us the certification of lowest floor elevation, flood zone and BFE for the
following structures for our review to fa¢iiitate determination of compliance with the NFIP
criteria:
1. 1894 Selva Marina.
2. 2093 Beach Avenue.(AO Zone
3. 61 Beach Avenue (AO Zone)
4. 465 Beach Avenue (or detP*r*+~nation structure is in X zone)'
Certification of AO Zone requirements does not require an elevation survey. Local officials
may certify the elevation of lowest floor above highest adjacent natural grade. If using the
elevation certificate, Section E should be completed.
AGENDA ITEM #8D
AUGUST 25, 2003
4
Community Rating System (CRS)
City officials have expressed an interest in participating in CRS. CRS provides discounts of
up to 45 percent off flood insurance premiums for palicyholders in communities that go
beyond the minunum standazds for floodplain management. Savings aze in five percent
increments with projected average savings for the first 5% (Class 9) totaling $8,623.91 for
Atlantic Beach. Policyholders in Zone X with Preferred Risk Policies do not receive a
discount. Only policyholders in Zones A and V receive full discounts. Of the 2,673 policies
in Atlantic Beach, onlq 237 are in Zones. A and V.
Follow-Up Actions
We request that the revised ordinance and supplemental documentation be forwazded to us
by November 15, 2003.
Should the City decide to submit an application for CRS, we recommend that Mr. Ford or
other appropriate City official attend the NFIP/CRS training at FEMA's Emergency
Management Institute in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Travel costs and lodging are paid by
FEMA. The only expense is a meal ticket. For more information, including the application
form, please go to our website at www.training.fema.gov/emiweb.
It is this Agency's goal to keep Atlantic Beach participating and:in good standing with the
NFIP. Compliance with the minimum criteria of the NFIP is a prerequisite to participate not
only in the CRS Program; but also to continue to participate in the NFIP. If you have any
questions, or require additional information, please have your staff call Ms. Rose Austin at
(770) 220-5424.
'ncerely,
1
'Brad G. Loar; CFM, C 'ef
Community Mitigation Programs Branch
Federal Insurance and Mitigation Division