New Floodplain Maps and Floodplain Permitting Charlotte-Mecklenburg Land Development Workshop December 11, 2012

What is 100- Year Flood? A flood that has a 1% (1in 100) chance of occurring in any year.

“Regulated” Floodplains vs. “100+1’ Flood Lines” “100+1’ Flood Line” or “Building Restriction Floodline” or “Stormwater Elevation Line” Smaller Creeks (less 1 sq. mi.) 100-year+1ft - Subdivision Ordinances No Flood Insurance Required

Government Hierarchy Department of Homeland Security FEMA – Federal Emergency Management Agency (Created in 1979) NFIP – National Flood Insurance Program – Created 1969 – Housed under FEMA NCEM – North Carolina Emergency Management - Guidance Charlotte/Mecklenburg/Towns

National Flood Insurance Program 1-Guide future development away from flood hazard areas; flood hazard areas; 2- Require that new and substantially improved buildings be constructed to resist flood damage; buildings be constructed to resist flood damage; 3- Provide homeowners with financial assistance after floods, especially after smaller floods that do after floods, especially after smaller floods that do not warrant federal disaster aid, and; not warrant federal disaster aid, and; 4- Transfer some of the costs of flood losses from the taxpayers to the property owners. the taxpayers to the property owners.

Background: Floodplains Evolution of Floodplain Maps & Regulations 1978 – First Charlotte Ordinance and Maps NC Floodplain Mapping – 99 Counties 2004 – FEMA published updated Maps 2009 – Charlotte maps reformatted to meet NC Mapping Grid 2012 and beyond – New Floodplain Maps

Charlotte/Mecklenburg City/County Joined NFIP in late 1970’s Administered by Zoning Dept until early 1980’s County Engineering took over in early 1980’s County Storm Water Created- 1994

New Floodplain Maps Revised Floodplain Elevations and Widths Briar, Little Sugar, McAlpine, McMullen Creeks Preliminary Maps Complete Overall, Floodplain Widths and Depths Going Down Maps for Other Creeks Will Follow

Phase 1 Mapping UPPER LITTLE SUGAR BRIAR LOWER LITTLE SUGAR BACK REEDY McKEE CALDWELL McALPINE CLEAR GOOSE McMULLEN CROOKED FOUR MILE TWELVE MILE SIX MILE CLEM

- Buildings Constructed before First FIRM MAP - 8/15/1978 for Charlotte - Rates don’t account for depth of flooding - basement or no basement Flood Map Review / Comment Site

Preliminary Date – April 11, Month Appeal Period 6 Months Buildings Compliance Period FEMA Effective - December 2013 Phase I Maps - Dates

Flood Insurance Required if Building Footprint Located in FEMA Floodplain and Mortgage Not Required if Building in Community Floodplain Rate Based on Difference Between Lowest Floor and FEMA Flood Elevation

Flood Insurance (Cont.) Anyone Can Buy Flood Insurance in Charlotte-Mecklenburg CRS – 25% Discount in Charlotte 20% Discount Mecklenburg & Pineville Flood Insurance Requirement Can Be Removed With FEMA Letter (LOMA, LOMR- Fill) LOMA, LOMR-Fill - Shown on 3D FloodZone Website

- Buildings Constructed before First FIRM MAP - 8/15/1978 for Charlotte - Rates don’t account for depth of flooding - basement or no basement MOST PRE FIRM RATES ARE BEING ELIMINATED OVER NEXT 5 YEARS Pre-FIRM Flood Insurance Rates

Floodprone Buildings  FEMA (Existing Land Use) Floodplain /- buildings 700 +/- flood into living space Most Built Before Floodplain Maps (Pre- 1978)

3D FloodZone Interactive Mapping Website mecklenburgcountync.gov/3dfz/

Permitting in the Floodplain

When is a Floodplain Development Permit (FDP) Required? A Floodplain Development Permit is required for all proposed development in the floodplain. Development means “any manmade change to improved and unimproved real estate, including, but not limited to, buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavating or drilling operations.”

Broad Definition of Development Examples of Development Include: Road Crossings or Culverts Residential Subdivisions Waste Water Treatment Facilities Stream Restoration Projects Greenways Commercial Development

Two Types Floodplain Development Permits (FDP’s) General Floodplain Development Permit (GFDP). Created to enable review of development projects with no impact to be streamlined. Individual Floodplain Development Permit (IFDP). Covers all other projects that do not qualify as GFDP.

General FDP General Floodplain Development Permit is for maintenance projects or underground utilities not changing the topography. Project manager is required to notify the Floodplain Administrator in advance.

General FDP Utility infrastructure (poles, sewer manholes, vent pipes, underground utilities, etc.), sign poles, non-solid fences

Examples of GFDP General farming, pasture, horticulture, forestry, wildlife sanctuaries, gardens, lawns, landscaping

Examples of GFDP On-grade driveways, trails, sidewalks, boardwalks, roads and road maintenance; storm drainage system construction, repairs and maintenance

Individual Floodplain Development Permit (IFDP) – FLOOD FRINGE REVIEWS For any development inside the Community Floodplain that does not qualify for GFDP. Requires IFDP application, Check Sheet, grading and erosion control plans and payment of review fee.

Individual Floodplain Development Permit (IFDP) – FLOODWAY REVIEWS Includes all requirements for floodplain development and A flood study (No-Rise Certificate) that shows impact of proposed development on 100 year water surface elevation.

Overview of IFDP Review Procedure 1.Submittals or plans come in from: City Land Development, CMPC, County LD, or architects and engineering companies. 2.Floodplain Permit Coordinator (Melonee Brock) logs the application into the tracking system and performs initial review to check for completeness and payment of review fee. Technical floodplain or floodway review begins when submittal is complete and payment of review fee is received. 3.Floodplain Reviewer (Tim Ruane) checks floodplain development for compliance. If plans show development in the floodway the submittal is passed to Floodway Reviewer. 4.Floodway Reviewer (David Love) checks for floodway development for compliance. 5.When it is determined that plans are in order FDP is approved, signed by the Floodplain Administrator(Bill Tingle) and FDP is issued. Note: Permit application is active for 90 days from day of last update. Approved permit is valid for two year period.

YEAR FDPs ISSUED Number of IFDPs Approved

Flood Mitigation Regulatory Staff Tim Ruane David Love Bill Tingle Melonee Brock Tim Trautman

QUESTIONS ??