c.TO: Members of the City Council
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
|
Public Works |
Aaron Bert |
425-556-2786 |
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
|
Public Works |
Peter Holte |
Senior Planner |
TITLE:
title
Approval of an Ordinance for Revisions to Redmond Municipal Code (RMC) 15.04-Flood Control
a. Ordinance No. 3089: An Ordinance of the City of Redmond, Washington, Amending Redmond Municipal Code (RMC)15.04-Flood Control, to Clarify that All New, Substantially Improved or Reconstructed Buildings Within the 100-Year Floodplain Must be Constructed so that the Lowest Inhabitable Floor and Mechanical Equipment are At Least One Foot Above the “Base Flood Elevation (BFE)”
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
The revisions to RMC 15.04 will clarify that all new, substantially improved, or reconstructed buildings within the 100-year floodplain must be constructed so that the lowest inhabitable floor and mechanical equipment are at least one foot above the “Base Flood Elevation (BFE)”. The proposed revisions are a prerequisite for Redmond’s participation in a voluntary Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) program which offers the City, residents, and businesses a discount on federally backed flood insurance.
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☐ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☐ Receive Information ☐ Provide Direction ☒ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
• Relevant Plans/Policies:
The following Comprehensive Plan Policies support these revisions:
o NE-48 Regulate development in the 100-year floodplain to avoid substantial risk and damage to public and private property and loss of life. Ensure these regulations, at a minimum, comply with state and federal requirements for floodplain regulations.
o NE-51 Require that construction, maintenance, and operation of development in the 100-year floodplain minimize hazards to persons and property within the 100-year floodplain and the entire community.
• Required:
Redmond participates in FEMA’s Community Rating System (CRS) Program. The City’s Class 5 status in this program provides the City, residents, and businesses a 25% discount on federally backed flood insurance for buildings within the 100-year floodplain.
FEMA added a new prerequisite for participation in this program which requires that the City’s Flood Control Code explicitly state that within the FEMA 100-year floodplain all new, substantially improved, or reconstructed residential buildings must be erected so that the lowest inhabitable floor and mechanical equipment are elevated at least one foot higher than the BFE.
The proposed revisions will align RMC 15.04 with requirements that are already in place within the City’s Building Code.
• Council Request:
N/A
• Other Key Facts:
N/A
OUTCOMES:
1) Consistency among the City’s Flood Control Code and other building requirements
2) The City’s continued participation in FEMA’s Community Rating System Program
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
• Timeline (previous or planned):
A list-serve notification of these changes was sent out to the public on June 17, 2022.
• Outreach Methods and Results:
Announcement of the proposed change was made in the June edition of the monthly e-news “Plan, Policy, and Regulatory Updates” list-serve notification that goes out to self-identified interested parties.
• Feedback Summary:
No feedback was received.
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost:
$0
Approved in current biennial budget: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
Stormwater 214
Budget Priority:
Healthy and Sustainable
Other budget impacts or additional costs: ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A
If yes, explain:
There is no cost associated with this action other than SEPA review which cost approximately $4500.
Funding source(s):
N/A
Budget/Funding Constraints:
N/A
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
7/5/2022 |
Committee of the Whole - Planning and Public Works |
Provide Direction |
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
N/A |
None proposed at this time |
N/A |
Time Constraints:
The City must adopt the proposed revisions by March 2023 to maintain a 25% discount on federally backed flood insurance for buildings in the 100-year floodplain.
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
The City would lose the 25% discount on federally backed flood insurance.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Ordinance to Adopt Revisions to RMC 15.04 Flood Control