Explanation
This ordinance amends Title 11, Chapter 1150 Floodplain Management, Section 1150.23 Standards and requirements for activities, development and uses in the floodway fringe of the Columbus City Codes.
The proposed Code change will require new public streets within the 100-year floodplain to be at the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) or higher.
Currently, Columbus City Code requires new public streets to be at Flood Protection Elevation (FPE), which is defined as one and a half feet above the BFE. Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is defined as the projected water surface level, measured from mean sea level, at any given point in a base flood. To paraphrase in simpler terms, BFE is the 100-year floodplain elevation.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) standards for Communities to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) have no requirements for the elevations of streets in the 100-year Floodplain. The current new public street elevation requirement in City Code is a local community “higher standard”, not mandated by federal FEMA NFIP standards.
Notably, the requirement does not apply to existing public streets within the floodplain, allowing new public streets in the developed areas to meet the elevation already established.
The current requirement may result in significant technical and financial hardship for developments within Columbus without a justifiable public benefit.
Most local communities in Central Ohio either have no new street elevation within the floodplain requirements, or require them to be at the BFE level.
FISCAL IMPACT:
A reduction in technical and financial hardship for developments within Columbus.
Title
To amend Title 11, Chapter 1150 Floodplain Management, of the Columbus City Codes to require new public streets within the 100-year floodplain to be at the Base Flood Elevation or higher.
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend Title 11, Chapter 1150 Floodplain Management, of the Columbu...
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