HomeMy WebLinkAbout015 - 02/20/2007 - AMENDING CHAPTER 10 OF THE CITY CODE CONCERNING STANDARDS FOR DEVELOPMENT IN THE POUDRE RIVER FLOODP ORDINANCE NO. 015, 2007
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
AMENDING CHAPTER 10 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
CONCERNING STANDARDS FOR DEVELOPMENT IN THE POUDRE
RIVER FLOODPLAIN IN THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
WHEREAS,properties in the Poudre River floodplain in the City of Fort Collins are subject
to different regulations than properties located outside of Fort Collins in Latimer County; and
WHEREAS, approved developments in the County are sometimes unbuildable after they
annex into the City,because the City's regulations for the Poudre River floodplain are more stringent
than the County's in a number of respects; and
WHEREAS, the East Mulberry Corridor Plan identified the need to make City and County
floodplain regulations for the Poudre River as consistent as possible; and
WHEREAS,City and County staff met and identified the ways in which the City and County
Poudre River floodplain regulations are similar and the ways in which they are different; and
WHEREAS,some current regulations are not based on a national[standardized methodology
and some current regulations have not achieved their intended purposes and therefore need to be
revised; and
WHEREAS, a great deal of the Poudre River corridor is preserved as open space and
provides flood protection because of limited development subject to flooding; and
WHEREAS,based on this information, City and County staff developed recommendations
intended to establish common criteria while still balancing risk with regulation and recognizing the
natural features of the river corridor; and
WHEREAS,the City and County conducted outreach activities with the public and affected
property owners concerning the proposed revisions to the floodplain regulations; and
WHEREAS,the proposed revisions to the floodplain regulations have been reviewed by the
City's Water Board, Planning and Zoning Board, Natural Resources Advisory Board and Land
Conservation and Stewardship Board, and comments received from these boards have been
considered in the final preparation of the proposed revisions; and
WHEREAS, County staff has reviewed the proposed changes with the County's Board of
County Commissioners and County Planning Commission; and
WHEREAS, City and County staff jointly held an open house for the general public and
affected property owners about the proposed floodplain revisions and solicited their input; and
WHEREAS, as a result of the input from the various boards and commissions, as well as
from the public and affected property owners during the outreach, City and County staff have
proposed new floodplain regulations for the Poudre River, and the revisions to the City's Poudre
River floodplain are contained in this Ordinance; and
WHEREAS,the Water Board took formal action recommending that the City Council adopt
the proposed floodplain revisions; and
WHEREAS,staffpresented the proposed changes to the floodplain regulations to the Council
at a work session on December 12, 2006 and at that time received direction to present the same to
the Council for approval; and
WHEREAS,staffis also recommending certain format changes to existing portions of Article
II of Chapter 10 to make the Code language consistent in form and easier to understand; and
WHEREAS,some of the additional changes are also necessary in order to conform to current
Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA) terminology; and
WHEREAS,for the foregoing reasons,the Council wishes to amend the City Code to adopt
the proposed revisions to the City's Poudre River floodplain regulations; and
WHEREAS, the Council has determined that it is in the best interests of the health, safety
and welfare of the citizens of the city that Article II of Chapter 10 of the Code of the City be
amended as set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That Section 10-16 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 10-16. Defmitions.
Floodway shall mean 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 of the base flood by more than
five-tenths (.5) foot.
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Floodway modification shall mean any alteration to a channel thalweg, bed
or banks of a floodway that would change the delineation of the floodway.
Redevelop or redevelopment shall mean:
(1) To construct any substantial improvement that will result in the removal or
replacement of more than fifty(50)percent of the wall perimeter of any floor
of a structure that is completely or partially below the base flood elevation,
provided that the footprint of the structure is not increased; or
(2) To repair or reconstruct any structure that has sustained substantial damage,
which damage has caused the removal or replacement ofmore than fifty(50)
percent of the wall perimeter of any floor of a structure that is completely or
partially below the base flood elevation, provided that the footprint of the
structure is not increased.
Section 2. That Section 10-19 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 10-19. Flood hazard area designation.
(b) The additional floodplain studies or reports listed in this Subsection,together
with the delineated floodplains, flood fringe areas, floodwaysand erosion buffer
zones delineated therein, together with any other delineations of flood areas, flood
elevations or physical characteristics, are hereby declared to be part of this Article.
Any differences in floodplain or floodway delineation between such additional
studies or reports and the Flood Insurance Rate Map shall be resolved by applying
those provisions which result in a broader floodplain or floodway delineation, or a
higher base flood elevation. To the extent that additional technical analysis results
in the refinement of the floodplain, flood fringe, floodway, erosion buffer zone or
other delineations contained in the plans listed below, or to the extent that the
completion of a capital improvement project results in a modification of any such
delineations, the General Manager shall, pursuant to his or her duties as set forth in
Paragraph 10-26(9), document the associated change in the delineation, which
modified delineation shall control the application of the requirements set forth in this
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Article. A copy of the studies or reports shall be on file in the permanent records of
Utility Services. Documentation of any modification of any delineation pursuant to
this Subsection shall be on file in the permanent records of Utility Services. The
floodplain studies or reports incorporated herein by this reference are as follows:
Section 3. That Section 10-27 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 10-27. Floodplain use permit.
(a) A floodplain use permit shall be obtained from the General Manager before
any construction or development begins within any floodway,flood fringe or erosion
buffer zone established pursuant to this Article.A floodplain use permit shall also be
required for any construction or development of or affecting a critical facility in the
Poudre River five-hundred-year floodplain or a zone X shaded. area, if that critical
facility is regulated pursuant to § 10-46 or§ 10-81. Application for a floodplain use
permit shall be made on forms furnished by the General Manager and may include,
but not be limited to,plans in duplicate drawn to scale showing the nature, location,
dimensions and elevations of the areas in question; structures already present and
proposed, fill, storage of materials and drainage facilities; and the location of the
foregoing.
(c) The following information is also required for a floodplain use permit:
(3) A surface view plan showing elevations and contours ofthe ground; fill and
storage elevations; sizes, locations and spatial arrangement of all proposed,
anticipated and structures present on the site; location and elevations of
streets, water supplies and sanitary facilities; boundaries of all applicable
floodplains, flood fringe areas, floodways and erosion buffer zones,or other
applicable delineated areas in which the proposed development is to be
located; and cross-section locations and base flood elevation contours;
(d) The General Manager may require the applicant to furnish such additional
information as the General Manager deems necessary to evaluate the effects of the
proposed construction upon any flood hazard areas,which information may include,
but shall not be limited to, the following:
(3) A floodplain analysis of the flood profile,base flood elevation and velocity,
and floodplain, flood fringe, floodway and erosion buffer zone boundaries,
along with boundaries of any other delineated areas, using floodplain
modeling guidelines established or approved by the General Manager,which
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analysis shall include existing and anticipated uses and shall show the impact
the proposed construction or development will have on the elevation of the
water-surface of the one-hundred-year flood;
(5) A stability analysis for any proposed development within an erosion buffer
zone or for any floodway encroachment or modification.
Section 4. That Section 10-29 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby amended
by the deletion of subparagraph (f) and subsequent paragraphs to be relettered accordingly.
Sec. 10-29. Conditions for variances.
Section 5. That Section 10-42 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 10-42. Specific standards for recreational vehicles.
(a) Any recreational vehicle located on property in residential use in the Poudre
River floodway or flood fringe shall be fully licensed and ready for highway use
when located on such property.
Section 6. That Section 10-45 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 10-45. Floodway evaluations.
Where otherwise permitted,any development,obstruction or activitythat will
result in an encroachment in or modification to the floodway shall be permitted only
if the following requirements are met, using floodplain modeling and technical
analysis consistent with floodplain modeling guidelines and standards established or
approved by the General Manager,including but not limited to the considerations and
requirements set forth in § 10-27:
(1) Required demonstrations for floodway encroachments and/or
modifications.At least one(1)of the following requirements must be
met for any floodway encroachment or modification:
a. No rise. The development, obstruction or activity
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must be shown by appropriate floodplain modeling to
result in no increase in base flood elevations, also
referred to as no rise, as defined in § 10-16, and:
1. A certification signed by a registered
professional engineer accurately documenting
that no increase in base flood elevations will
result from the proposed development,
obstruction or activity, in a form approved by
the General Manager,must be submitted prior
to issuance of a floodplain permit, and
2. A certification signed by a registered
professional engineer accurately documenting
the as-built base flood elevations after
completion ofthe development,obstruction or
activity as resulting in no increase in base
flood
elevations must be submitted prior to the
issuance of a certificate of occupancy, or, in
the event no certificate of occupancy is
required, upon completion of the
improvements; or
b. No rise except on applicant land or easement. The
development, obstruction or activity must be shown
by appropriate floodplain modeling to result in no
increase in base flood elevations or change in
floodway or flood fringe boundaries, except on the
applicant's contiguous property or on property for
which the applicant has obtained and recorded
easements sufficient to allow for the associated
changes, and:
1. A certification signed by a registered
professional engineer accurately documenting
that no increase in the floodway or base flood
elevations on other than the applicant's
contiguous property or on property for which
the applicant has obtained and recorded
easements sufficient to allow for the
associated changes will result from the
proposed development,obstruction or activity,
in a form approved by the General Manager,
must be submitted prior to issuance of a
floodplain permit; and
2. A certification signed by a registered
professional engineer accurately documenting
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the as-built floodway and base flood
elevations after completion of the
development, obstruction or activity as
resulting in no increase in the floodway or
base flood elevations on other than the
applicant's contiguous property or other than
provided by recorded easements must be
submitted prior to the issuance of a certificate
of occupancy,or,in the event no certificate of
occupancy is required,upon completion of the
improvements.
(2) Map revisions.
a. Conditional map revisions. If aumy development or
activity in the floodway results in a change to base
flood elevations,floodway or flood fringe boundaries,
a Conditional Letter of Map Revision must be
approved by FEMA, or, for a City basin floodplain, a
preliminary map revision must be approved by the
General Manager prior to issuance of a floodplain
permit or initiation of construction or permitted
activities.
b. Final map revisions. Upon completion of
development or other activities for which a floodplain
permit and Conditional Letter of Map Revision are
required pursuant to this § 10-45, a Letter of Map
Revision or Physical Map Revision must be approved
by FEMA, or, for a City basin floodplain, a final map
revision must be approved by the General Manager,
prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy, or, in
the event no certificate of occupancy is required,upon
completion of the improvements.
Section 7. That Section 10-71 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 10-71. Specific standards for development in Poudre River floodway.
In addition to complying with all other applicable provisions of this Article,
all development in the floodway of the Poudre River,as designated pursuant to § 10-
19, shall comply with the following provisions. If there is any conflict between any
of the following provisions and any other provision of this Article, the more
restrictive provision shall control.
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(4) Redevelopment. Redevelopment of any structure is prohibited.
(7) Accessory structures.
b. Reconstruction of an accessory structure that has been substantially
damaged, or that constitutes redevelopment, is prohibited.
(8) Floodway modifications. Floodway modification is prohibited unless all
applicable requirements, including but not limited to the requirements of§
10-45, are met.
Section 8. That Section 10-72 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 10-72. Specific standards for nonstructural development in Poudre
River floodway.
In addition to complying with all other applicable provisions of this Article,
all nonstructural development in the floodway of the Poudre River, as designated
pursuant to § 10-19, shall comply with the following provisions. If there is any
conflict between any of the following provisions and any other provision of this
Article, the more restrictive provision shall control.
(1) Fencing. Construction of new fencing is prohibited, unless the
fencing is designed to break away, and is cabled together so as to not
float downstream. As an alternative to a break-away design, a new
fence may be designed to allow the passage of water by having a flap
or opening in the areas at or below the base flood elevation sufficient
to allow floodwaters to pass freely.
(2) Detention ponds. Construction of new detention ponds is prohibited
unless all applicable requirements, including but not limited to the
requirements of§ 10-45, are met.
(3) Hard surface paths, trails and walkways. Construction of new hard
surface paths,trails and walkways is prohibited unless all applicable
requirements, including but not limited to the requirements of§ 10-
45, are met.
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(4) Fill. Placement of fill is prohibited, unless all applicable
requirements, including but not limited to the requirements of§ 10-
45, are met.
(5) Outdoor storage/storage of floatable materials.
a. Outdoor storage of materials associated with a nonresidential
use that are not defined as floatable materials in § 10-16,
whether permanent or temporary, is prohibited, unless all
applicable requirements, including but not limited to the
requirements of§ 10-45, are met.
b. Storage of floatable materials associated with a nonresidential
use, whether permanent or temporary, is prohibited, except
for that storage of floatable materials that was occurring as of
July 1,2000,which storage shall be allowed to continue until
but only until the development of a new structure or addition
or the cumulative substantial improvement of any existing
structure, at which time such storage must be discontinued.
(6) Driveways and parking areas. Construction of new driveways and
parking areas is prohibited unless all applicable requirements,
including but not limited to the requirements of§ 10-45, are met.
Section 9. That the title of Section 10-73 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 10-73. Floodway encroachments in Poudre River floodway.
Section 10. That Section 10-74 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 10-74. Change of use in Poudre River floodway.
No person shall change the use of any structure or property, or any portion
thereof, located in the Poudre River floodway so as to result in a use or expansion of
a use that is inconsistent with the requirements of this Article.
Section 11. That Section 10-75 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby amended
by the deletion of subparagraph(9) in its entirety as follows:
Sec. 10-75. Specific standards for residential development in Poudre River
flood fringe.
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Section 12. That Section 10-76 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby amended
by the deletion of subparagraph (9) in its entirety as follows:
Sec. 10-76. Specific standards for nonresidential development in Poudre
River flood fringe.
Section 13. That Section 10-77 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby amended
by the deletion of subparagraph (8) in its entirety as follows:
Sec. 10-77. Specific standards for mixed-use development in Poudre River
flood fringe.
Section 14. That Section 10-80 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 10-80. Removal of property from Poudre River flood fringe.
(a) Property located in the flood fringe of the Poudre River rnaybe removed from
the flood fringe if one (1) of the following conditions is satisfied, but shall remain
subject to the provisions of subsection(b) of this Section:
(1) LOMR/PMR. FEMA has issued a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) or
Physical Map Revision(PMR)removing the property fi•om the flood fringe
based on revised floodplain modeling and technical analysis; or
(2) LOMR-F. FEMA has issued a Letter of Map Revision based on Fill(LOMR-
F) removing the property from the flood fringe. If FEMA has issued a
LOMR-F removing the property from the flood fringe, the following
requirements and restrictions shall remain applicable:
a. Any new structure, accessory structure, attached garage,or addition,
substantial improvement or redevelopment must meet all applicable
requirements, including but not limited to the requirements of§ 10-
37, except that:
1. For nonresidential structures and mixed-use structures with
all residential use on a floor completely above the regulatory
flood protection elevation,compliance with the requirements
of § 10-38 may be substituted for compliance with the
applicable requirements of subsection 10-37(b).
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b. Critical facilities and expansions of critical facilities are prohibited.
C. Manufactured homes and mobile buildings other than a
nonconforming manufactured home or mobile building are
prohibited, except that:
1. A manufactured home or mobile building may be replaced,
provided that the replacement manufactured home or mobile
building complies with all applicable requirements,including
but not limited to the requirements of§ 10-41.
2. Manufactured home parks and mobile building developments,
other than nonconforming manufactured home parks and
mobile building developments are prohibited.
3. Expansion of a manufactured home park or a mobile building
development is prohibited.
(b) If the property removed from the flood fringe pursuant to Subsection (a) of
this Section remains in the five-hundred-year floodplain after such removal, any
development on the property shall comply with all requirements and prohibitions of
this Article pertaining to the five-hundred-year floodplain.
Section 15. That Section 10-81(a) of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby
amended to read as follows:
Sec.10-81. Specific standards for Poudre River five-hundred-year floodplain
and zone X shaded areas.
(a) Critical facilities. In any portion of the Poudre River five-hundred-year
floodplain or a zone X shaded area, as designated pursuant to § 10-19, critical
facilities are prohibited, except that, for the purpose of this Section only, critical
facilities shall not include structures or facilities that constitute critical facilities
solely because they produce, use or store hazardous, flammable, explosive, toxic
and/or water reactive materials,liquids, gases and solids as such are defined in §9-1
and §9-2 of the Uniform Fire Code as adopted.
Section16. That Section 10-102 oftheCodeoftheCityofFort Collins ishereby amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 10-102. Specific standards for residential development in floodways of
FEMA basin floodplains.
In addition to complying with all other applicable provisions of this Article,
all residential development in the floodway ofa FEMA basin floodplain shall comply
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with the following provisions. If there is any conflict between any of the following
provisions and any other provision of this Article,the more restrictive provision shall
control.
(8) Floodway modification. Floodway modification is prohibited unless
all applicable requirements, including but not limited to the
requirements of§ 10-45 are met.
Section17. That Section 10-103 ofthe Codeof the Cityof Fort Collins ishereby amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 10-103. Specific standards for nonresidential development in floodways
of FEMA basin floodplains.
In addition to complying with all other applicable provisions of this Article,
all nonresidential development in the floodway of a FEMA basin floodplain shall
comply with the following provisions. If there is any conflict between any of the
following provisions and any other provision of this Article, the more restrictive
provision shall control.
(8) Floodway modification. Floodway modification is prohibited unless
all applicable requirements, including but not limited to the
requirements of§ 10-45, are met.
Section 18. That Section 10-104 of the Code of the City ofFort Collins is hereby amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 10-104. Specific standards for mixed-use development in floodways of
FEMA basin floodplains.
In addition to complying with all other applicable provisions of this Article,
all mixed-use development in the floodway ofa FEMA basin floodplain shall comply
with the following provisions. If there is any conflict between any of the following
provisions and any other provision ofthis Article,the more restrictive provision shall
control.
(7) Floodway modification.Floodway modifi cation is prohibited
unless all applicable requirements, including but not limited
to the requirements of§ 10-45, are met.
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Section 19. That Section 10-111 of the Code ofthe City of Fort Collins is hereby amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 10-111. Specific standards for nonstructural development in flood fringe
of FEMA basin floodplains.
In addition to complying with all other applicable provisions of this Article,
all nonstructural development in the flood fringe of a FEMA basin floodplain shall
comply with the following provisions unless removed from the flood fringe by
approval of a LOMR or Physical Map Revision in accordance with§ 10-113.If there
is any conflict between any of the following provisions and any other provision of
this Article, the more restrictive provision shall control.
Section20. That Section l0-113ofthe Code of the City ofFo:rt Collins is hereby amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 10-113. Removal of property from flood fringe of FEMA basin
floodplains.
(a) Property located within that portion of a FEMA basin floodplain that has been
designated by FEMA pursuant to Subsection 10-19(a)(FEMA designations)maybe
removed from the flood fringe if one (1) of the following conditions is satisfied:
(1) LOMR/PMR. FEMA has issued a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) or
Physical Map Revision (PMR)removing the property from the flood fringe
based on revised floodplain modeling and technical analysis; or
(2) LOMR-Fill. FEMA has issued a Letter of Map Revision based on Fill
(LOMR-F)removing the property from the flood fringe. If FEMA has issued
a LOMR-F removing the property from the flood fringe, the following
requirements and restrictions shall remain applicable:
Section 21. That Section 10-132 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 10-132. Specific standards for residential development in floodways of
City basin floodplains.
In addition to complying with all other applicable provisions of this Article,
all residential development in the floodway of a City basin floodplain shall comply
with the following provisions. If there is any conflict between any of the following
provisions and any other provision of this Article,the more restrictive provision shall
control.
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(8) Floodway modification. Floodway modification.is prohibited unless
all applicable requirements, including but not limited to the
requirements of§ 10-45, are met.
Section22. That Section 10-133 of the Code ofthe City of Fort Collins is hereby amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 10-133. Specific standards for nonresidential development in floodways
of City basin floodplains.
In addition to complying with all other applicable provisions of this Article,
all nonresidential development in the floodway of a City basin floodplain shall
comply with the following provisions. If there is any conflict between any of the
following provisions and any other provision of this Article, the more restrictive
provision shall control.
(8) Floodway modification. Floodway modification is prohibited unless
all applicable requirements, including but ;not limited to the
requirements of§ 10-45, are met.
Section23. That Section 10-134 ofthe Code ofthe Cityof Fort Collins is hereby amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 10-134. Specific standards for mixed-use development in floodways of
City basin floodplains.
In addition to complying with all other applicable provisions of this Article,
all mixed-use development in the floodway of a City basin floodplain shall comply
with the following provisions. If there is any conflict between any of the following
provisions and any other provision ofthis Article,the more restrictive provision shall
control.
(7) Floodway modification. Floodway modification is prohibited unless
all applicable requirements, including but not limited to the
requirements of§ 10-45, are met.
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Section24. That Section 10-201 ofthe Code of the Cityof Fort Collins is hereby amended
to read as follows:
See. 10-201. Designation of erosion buffer zones.
In accordance with § 10-19, the erosion buffer zones designated by the
General Manager for the Fossil Creek basin, Boxelder Creek basin, the Mail Creek
basin and McClellands Creek basin,as described therein,shall be considered erosion
buffer zones and shall be subject to the requirements of this Division, and all other
requirements of this Article applicable to erosion buffer zones. Property within an
erosion buffer zone that has also been determined to be a floodwayor flood fringe and
designated as such in accordance with § 10-19, shall be subject:to the requirements
and restrictions of this Article applicable to said property by virtue of said separate
designation in addition to the requirements and restrictions set forth in this Division.
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 16th day of
January, A.D. 2007, and to be presented for final passage on th th clay of February, A. . 2007.
Mayo
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading on the 20th day of ary, A.D. 2007.
Mayo
ATTEST:
o
City Clerk
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