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Home My WebLink About11/7/2001 - STAFF REPORTS (16) Date: November 7, 2001 To: City Council From: Director of Planning and Building CASE#5.0888: REQUEST FOR AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 93.17.18 OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE SO AS TO CLARIFY THE FLOOD HAZARD REDUCTION STANDARDS. RECOMMENDATION During its meeting of October 10, 2001, the Planning Commission unanimously voted to recommend that the City Council amend the text as proposed. SUMMARY The proposed text amendment reflects changes to the Palm Springs Flood Hazard Reduction Standards so as to reflect the changes recommended by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The proposed text amendment result in a change in the elevation of a structure in some flood zones and requires the elevation of mechanical units. BACKGROUND The flood hazard areas of the City of Palm Springs are subject to periodic inundation which results in loss of life and property, health and safety hazards, disruption of the commerce and governmental services, extraordinary public expenditures for flood protection and relief, and impairment of the tax base, all of which adversely affect the public health, safety and general welfare. Flood losses are caused by the cumulative effect of obstructions in areas of special flood hazards which increase flood heights and velocities, and when inadequately anchored, damage uses in other areas. Uses that are inadequately flood proofed, elevated or otherwise unprotected from flood damage also contribute to the flood loss. In order to address these concerns, the City of Palm Springs has certain requirements for building in the flood plain. These regulations are periodically reviewed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to ensure consistency with federal guidelines. During a recent review, FEMA recommended the following changes to clarify the regulations. With the proposed changes, in an unnumbered A zone as well as in an Al - A30 or an AE zone, the lowest floor of a residential structure must be elevated one and one-half (1-1/2) feet above the base flood elevation. Currently, the A zone is elevated at least two (2) feet above the base flood elevation and all other zones are elevated at least one foot above the base flood elevation. All other requirements associated with development in the flood plain will remain the same. The proposed amendments include mechanical equipment in the matters to be addressed. PROPOSED AMENDMENTS The proposed text will read as follows. Proposed added language appears with an underline. Language proposed to be deleted appears with a strike out. 93.17.18 Flood Hazard Reduction Standards / 34 Case 5.0888: Text Amendment Meeting Date: November 7, 2001 Page 2 of 2 A. In all areas of special (all "A, Al-30, and AO"Zones) flood hazards, the following standards are required in addition to the requirements found in Title 8 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code. 3. Elevation and Floodproofing. (See Section 93.17.04 definitions for "basement," "lowest floor," "new construction," "substantial damage' and "substantial improvement'.) a. Residential construction, new or substantial improvement shall have the lowest floor, including basement and all mechanical units (including but not limited to air conditioning heater, water heater, etc ) established as follows: 1. In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height exceeding the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM by at least one foot, or elevated at least three feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified. 2. In an A zone elevated at least two feet above the base flood elevafion-- -Wien-no-ba�e elevation to the Gity Engineef��. In an unnumbered A zone elevated to at least one and one-half(1-1/2) feet above the base flood elevation The developer shall submit a study determining the base flood elevation to the city engineer for approval 3. 11 hood elevation to the Sity-Engheet��. In an Al - A30 or an AE zone elevated to at least one and one-half (1-1/2) feet above the base flood elevation 4. Upon the completion of the structure, the elevation of the lowest floor including basement shall be certified by a registered professional engineer or surveyor, and verified by the community building inspector to be properly elevated. Such certification or verification shall be provided to the Floodplain Administrator. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION During its meeting of October 10, 2001, the Planning Commission unanimously voted to recommend that the City Council change the ordinance as proposed. Director o Planning and Building City Manager ATTACHMENTS: 1. Draft Ordinance. W f 1LL ham. �`a PROOF OF PUBLICATION This is space for County Clerkk Piling Stamp (2015.5.C.C.P) STATE OF CALIFORNIA - County of Riverside - - -- - - - -- - - - - - - --- ----------------------------------------- I am a citizen of the United States and a resident of Proof of Publication of the County aforesaid; I am over the age of eighteen ---------------- - - - years,and not a party to of interested in the No 9325 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING above-cittitled matter.I am the principal clerk of a PALM SPRINGS PLANNING COMMISSION printer of the,DESERT SUN PUBLISHING Case No. 5.088e COMPANY a newspaper of general circulation, Amendment to Section 93.17 of the Zoning Ordinance printed and published in the city of Palm Springs, Flood Hazard Reduction standards County of Riverside,and which newspaper has been NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that me Planning Commission of the City of Palm Springs, Calrfor- adjudged a newspaper of general circulation by the ma, Will hold a County ppublic hearing at its meeting of SII erior Court of the Coun of Riverside,State of September 26 2001,The Planning te publicission hear p meeting begne at 1:30 p.m, California under the date of March 24,1988.Case Ing beginning at 2:00 p.m., in the Council Cham- bers at City Hall, 3200 E Tahqudz Canyon Way, Number 191236;that the notice,of which the Palm Springs. annexed is a printed copy(set in type not smaller The purpose of the hearing is to consider a re- than non panel,has been published in each regular t for an amendment to Section 93.1Z18 of the zoning Ordmanoe so as to claniv the City. and entire issue of said newspaper and not in any Stanch dssand concerning Flood consist icy dwith Federral supplement thereof on the following dates,to wit: guidelines. In accordance with Section 15061(bl(3)of the C al- SC tember 15tn forma Environmental Quality Act( QA), 0io- — — - vi P Jett will not have a significant effect on the enLori - _______________________________________________________ ran in,, rs exempt for CEQA. If sin) Individual or group challenges the achon in court, issues raised may be limited to only those ---------------------------------------------------------------- issues raised at the public heamy, described in this notice or in wnnen correspondence al or pri- or to he Planting Commission hearing. An op- portunity will be given at said hearing for all inler- All ill the year 2001 ested persons to be heard. QuesLonc regarding this case may be directedto Hope V Sullivan, Department of Planning and B (ding, 760/323- I certify(or declare)under penalty of perjury that the 8245. foregoing is true and correct. Douglas R.Evans Director of Planning and Building lath PUB_September 15, 2001 — Dated at Palm Springs,California this--------------day September of---------------------------------------2001 Signature PROOF OF PUBLICATION This Is space for County Clerk's Filing Statue (2015.5.C.C.P) 'r _ _STATE OF CALIFORNIA __ _ _ - --- - - ---- --- - - - -- — -— - County of Riverside ---------------------------- I am a citizen of Ale United States and a resident of Proof of Publication of the County aforesaid;I am over the age of eighteen -----------------------__------------------- years,quid not q party to or interested in the No.9704 CITY OF PALM SPRINGS above-entitled matter. I am the principal clerlc Of a NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING printer of the,DESERT SUN PUBLISHING Case No. 5.OBBB An Amendment to Section as.t A COMPANY q newspaper of general circulation, of the zoning ordini mo,so at Clarify printed and published in the city of Palm Springs, me Flood Hazard Reduction Standards. County of Riverside,and which newspaper has been NOTICE IS HeREBv GIVEN c�idtl no�twtllhold a adjudged a newspaper of general circulation by the Putil c n�aoof it ai Ise rmee meeting of Novombei 7, 2f th The City at its i meeting beg as at 7.00 Superior Court of the County of Riverside,State of pm., n the Council Chamber at litSpring Nall,3200 Iz California under the date of March 24,1988.Case Tat, it, Canyon way, The propose of the hearing Is to consader a a,- Number]91236; that the notice,of which the aqvast for an amendment to Section gs.t71S of H,e Zoning Ordinance so as to clallN geduatlon annexed is a printed copy(set in type not smaller regul,Lions concerning Flood.Hazar than non pariel,has been published in each regular Standards and to create consistency with Federal guidelines and entire issue of said newspaper and not in any In accordance whh section t Act b(C of me Cal- supplement thereof on the following dates,to wit: in acc Environmental Quality not ��QA),ibis Pro- - — Igor will 'at ha thus ve exemptffoinCEQA.L on'the anm- moment, October 27th --------------------------------------------------------------- If any 'Issues reisnodual oedgmay be lialtad oh only those court, public hearing described in III notice or I,issues raised at the or to th0 anling iC ommiss ten oo healing ndence atAn oP- ---------------------------------------------------------------- rven at said hee"1- toy all rdi n- porNnrty will be 9 ested persons to 6e heal d. Questions all Ibis case may be direcgted to Hope V. Sullivan, All ill the year 200I Department of Plannin and BwldIn /60/329- a245 PATRICIA SANDERS I certify(or declare)Under penalty of perjury that til¢ PUp- October 27, 2001 — foregoing is true and correct. 29th Dated at Palm Springs,California this-------------day October of------- 20011 ------------- � __ ----- —- L Signature ORDINANCE NO, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS,CALIFORNIA AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE IN REGARD TO FLOOD HAZARD REDUCTION STANDARDS. THECITYCOUNCIL OFTHE CITYOF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, DOES ORDAINAS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 93.17.18.A.3.a is amended to read as follows: Elevation and Floodproofing.(See Section 93,17.04 definitions for"basement,""lowest floor," "new construction," "substantial damage" and "substantial improvement'.) a. Residential construction,new or substantial improvement shall have the lowestfloor, including basement and all mechanical units (including, but not limited to, air conditioning, heater, water heater, etc.) established as follows: 1. In an AO zone,elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height exceeding the depth numberspecified in feet on the FIRM by at least one foot, or elevated at least three feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified. 2. In an unnumbered A zone, elevated to at least one and one-half(1-1/2)feet above the base flood elevation. The developer shall submit a study determining the base flood elevation to the city engineer for approval_ 3. In an Al -A30 or an AE zone,elevated to at least one and one-half(1-1/2)feet above the base flood elevation. 4. Upon the completion of the structure, the elevation of the lowest floor including basement shall be certified by a registered professional engineer or surveyor, and verified by the community building inspector to be properly elevated. Such certification or verification shall be provided to the Floodplain Administrator. SECTION 24: EFFECTIVE DATE:This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect thirty (30) days after passage. 136 SECTION 25. PUBLICATION.The City Clerk is hereby ordered and directed to certify to the passage of this Ordinance, and to cause the same or a summary thereof or a display advertisement, duly prepared according to law, to be published in accordance with law. ADOPTED this day of 2000 AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ATTEST CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA By: City Clerk Mayor REVIEWED AND APPROVED AS TO FORM ' / 3ea