1989-667CITY OF HOPKINS
Hennepin County, Minnesota
ORDINANCE NO. 89 -667
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING HOPKINS
ZONING ORDINANCE NO. 515 and 545
PERTAINING TO THE FLOOD PLAIN DISTRICT
BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of the City of
Hopkins as follows:
That the Hopkins Zoning Ordinance No. 515 be and the
same is hereby amended by adding the following provisions:
Subd. 45. Flood: a temporary increase in the flow or
stage of a stream or in the stage of a wetland or lake that
results in the inundation of normally dry areas.
Subd. 46. Flood frequency: the frequency for which it
is expected that a specific flood stage or discharge may be
equalled or exceeded.
Subd. 47. Flood Fringe: that portion of the flood
plain outside of the floodway. Flood fringe is synonymous
with the term "floodway fringe" used in the Flood Insurance
Study for the City of Hopkins.
Subd. 48. Flood Plain: the beds proper and the areas
adjoining a wetland, lake or watercourse which have been or
hereafter may be covered by the regional flood.
Subd. 51. Floodway: the bed of a wetland or lake and
the channel or a watercourse and those portions of the
adjoining flood plain which are reasonably required to carry
or store the regional flood discharge.
Subd. 97. Reach: a hydraulic engineering term to
describe a longitudinal segment of a stream or river
influenced by a natural or man -made obstruction. In an
urban area, the segment of a stream or river between two
consecutive abridge crossings would most typically
constitute a reach.
Subd. 98. Regional Flood: a flood which is
representative of large floods known to have occurred
generally in Minnesota and reasonably characteristic of what
can be expected to occur on an average frequency in the
magnitude of the 100 year recurrence interval. Regional
flood is synonymous with the term "base flood" used in the
Flood Insurance Study.
Subd. 50. Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation: the
regulatory flood protection elevation shall be an elevation
no lower than one foot above the elevation of the regional
flood plus any increases in flood elevation caused by
encroachments on the flood plain that result from
designation of a floodway.
That the Hopkins Zoning Ordinance No. 545 is hereby
amended by revision and there is hereby enacted and adopted
in place therof the following subsections:
Section 545 - Zoning: Flood Plain District
545.01. General Provisions. Subdivision 1. This ordinance
shall apply to all lands within the jurisdiction of the City
of Hopkins shown on the Official Zoning Map and /or the
attachments thereto as being located within the boundaries
of the Floodway or Flood Fringe Districts.
Subd. 2. Establishment of official zoning map. The
official zoning map together with all materials attached
thereto is hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a
part of this ordinance. The attached material shall include
the Flood Insurance Study for the City of Hopkins prepared
by the Federal Insurance Administration dated May 5, 1981
and the Flood Boundary and Floodway Map dated May 5, 1981
and Flood Insurance Rate Map dated May 5, 1981 therein. The
official zoning map shall be on file in the Office of the
City Clerk and the Zoning Administrator.
Subd. 3. Regulatory flood protection elevation. The
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation shall be an elevation
no lower than one foot above the elevation of the regional
flood plus any increases in flood elevation caused by
encroachments on the flood plain that result from
designation of a floodway.
Subd. 4. Interpretation. In their interpretation and
application, the provisions of this Ordinance shall be held
to be minimum requirements and shall be liberally construed
in favor of the Governing Body and shall not be deemed a
limitation or repeal or any other powers granted by State
Statutes.
Subd. 5. Boundaries. The boundaries of the zoning
districts shall be determined by scaling distance on the
Official Zoning Map. Where interpretation is needed as to
the exact location of the boundaries of the district as
shown on the Official Zoning Map, as for example where there
appears to be a conflict between a mapped boundary and
actual field conditions and there is a formal appeal of the
decision of the Zoning Administrator, the Board of
Adjustment shall make the n cessary interpretation. All
decisions will be based elevation on the regional 100 - year
flood profile and other available technical data. Persons
contesting the location of the district boundaries shall be
given a reasonable opportunity to present their case to the
Board and to submit technical evidence.
Subd. 6. Abrogation and greater restrictions. It is
not intended by this Ordinance to repeal, abrogate, or
impair and existing easements, covenants, or deed
restrictions. However, where this Ordinance imposes greater
restrictions the provisions of this Ordinance shall prevail.
All other ordinances inconsistent with this Ordinance are
hereby repealed to the extent of the inconsistency only.
Subd. 7. Warning and disclaimer of liability. This
Ordinance does not imply that areas outside the flood plain
districts or land uses permitted within such districts will
be free from flooding or flood damages. This Ordinance
shall not create liability on the part of the City of
Hopkins or any officer or employee thereof for any flood
damages that result from reliance on this Ordinance or any
administrative decision lawfully made thereunder.
Subd. 8. Severability. If any section, clause,
provision, or portion of this Ordinance is adjudged
unconstitutional or invalid by a court of competent
jurisdiction, the remainder of this Ordinance shall not be
affected thereby.
Subd. 9. Compliance. No new structure or land shall
hereafter be used and no structure shall be located,
extended, converted, or structurally altered without full
compliance with the terms or this Ordinance and other
applicable regulation which apply to uses within the
jurisdiction of this Ordinance. Within the Floodway and
Flood Fringe Districts, all uses not listed as permitted
uses or conditional uses in Section 545.02, 545.03, and
545.04 that follow, respectively, shall be prohibited.
Subd. 10. Manufactured homes. New Manufactured homes,
replacement manufactured homes and certain travel trailers
and travel vehicles are subject to the general provisions of
this Ordinance and specifically section 545.06.
Subd. 11. Modification and additions. Modification,
additions, structural alteration or repair after damage to
existing nonconforming structures and nonconforming uses of
structures or land are regulated by the general provision of
this Ordinance and specifically section 545.09.
Subd. 12. As -built elevations. As built elevations
for elevated or floor proofed structures must be certified
by ground surveys and flood proofing techniques must be
designed and certified by a registered professional engineer
or architect as specified in the general provisions of this
Ordinance and specifically as stated in section 545.07 and
545.08 of this Ordinance.
545.02. Floodway District. Subdivision 1. Described. The
Floodway District shall include those areas designated as
floodway on the Flood Boundary and Floodway Map adopted.
Subd. 2. Uses. The following are the permitted uses in
the floodway district:
a) general farming, pasture, grazing, outdoor
plant nurseries, horticulture, truck farming, forestry,
sod farming, and wild crop harvesting.
b) industrial - commercial loading areas, parking
areas, and airport landing strips.
c) private and public golf course, tennis courts,
driving ranges, archery ranges, picnic grounds, boat
launching ramps, swimming areas, parks, wildlife and
nature preserves, game farms, fish hatcheries, shooting
preserves, target ranges, trap and skeet ranges,
hunting and fishing areas, and single or multiple
purpose recreational trails.
d) residential lawns, gardens, parking areas, and
play areas.
Subd. 3. Standards. The following are the standards
for Floodway Permitted Uses:
a) the use shall have a low flood damage
potential.
b) the use shall be permissible in the underlying
zoning district if one exists.
c) the use shall not obstruct flood flows or
increase flood elevations and shall not involve
structures, fill, obstructions, excavations or storage
or materials or equipment.
Subd. 4. Conditional Uses. The following are the
conditional uses in the Floodway District:
a) structures accessory to the uses listed in
subd. 1 above and the uses listed below.
b) extraction and storage of sand, gravel, and
other materials.
c) marinas, boat rentals, docks, piers, wharfs,
and water control structures.
d) railroads, streets, bridges, utility
transmission lines, and pipelines.
e) storage yards for equipment, machinery, or
materials.
f) placement of fill
g) travel trailers and travel vehicles either on
individual lots of record or in existing or new
subdivisions or commercial or condominium type
campgrounds, subject to the exemptions and provisions
of Section 545.06 subd. 4 -8 of this Ordinance.
h) structural works for flood control such as
levees, dikes and floodwalls constructed to any height
where the intent is to protect individual structures
and levees or dikes where the intent is to protect
agricultural crops for a frequency flood event equal to
or less than the 10 -year frequency flood event.
Subd. 5. Standards for floodway conditional uses. The
following are the standards for the conditional uses in the
floodway conditional uses:
a) all uses - no structure (temporary or
permanent), fill (including fill for reads and levees),
deposit, obstruction, storage of materials or
equipment, or other uses may be allowed as a
conditional use that will cause any increase in the
stage of the 100 -year or regional flood or cause an
increase in flood damages in the reach or reaches
affected.
b) all floodway conditional uses shall be subject
to the procedures and standards contained in section
545.08 subd, 8 -14 of this ordinance.
c) the conditional use shall be permissible in
the underlying zoning district of one exists.
d) fill:
1) fill, dredge spoil and all other similar
materials deposited or stored in the flood plain
shall be protected from erosion by vegetative
cover, mulching, riprap or other acceptable,
method.
•
2) dredge spoil sites and sand and gravel
operations shall not be allowed in the floodway
unless a long -term site development plan is
submitted which includes an erosion /sedimentation
prevention element to the plan.
3) as an alternative, and consistent with
subsection 2 immediately above, dredge spoil
disposal and sand and gravel operations may allow
temporary, on -site storage of fill or other
materials which would have caused an increase to
the stage of the 100 -year or regional flood but
only after the Governing Body has received an
appropriate plan which assures the removal of the
materials from the floodway based upon the flood
warning time available. The conditional use
permit must be title registered with the property
in the Office of the County Recorder.
e) Accessory Structures:
1) accessory structures shall not be
designed for human habitation.
2) accessory structures, if permitted, shall
be constructed and places on the building site so
as to offer the minimum obstruction to the flow of
flood waters.
3) whenever possible, structures shall be
constructed with the longitudinal axis parallel to
the direction of flood flow.
4) so far as practicable, structures shall
be placed approximately on the same flood flow
lines as those of adjoining structures.
5) accessory structures shall be elevated on
fill or structurally dry flood proofed in
accordance with the FP -1 or FP -2 flood proofing
classifications in the State Building Code. As an
alternative, an accessory structure may be
classification in the State Building Code provided
the accessory structure constitutes a minimal
investment, does not exceed 500 square feet in
size, and for a detached garage, the detached
garage must be used solely for parking of vehicles
and limited storage. All flood proofed accessory
structures must meet the following additional
standards, as appropriate:
a) the structure must be adequately
anchored to prevent flotation, collapse or
lateral movement of the structure and shall
be designed to equalize hydrostatic flood
forces on exterior walls
b) any mechanical and utility equipment
in a structure must be elevated to or above
the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation or
properly flood proofed.
f) storage of materials and equipment:
1) the storage or processing of materials
that are, in time of flooding, flammable,
explosive, or potentially injurious to human,
animal, or plant life is prohibited.
2) storage of other materials or equipment
may be allowed if readily removable from the area
within the time available after a flood warning
and in accordance with a plan approved by the
Governing Body.
g) structural works for flood control that will
change the course, current or cross section of
protected wetlands or public waters shall be subject to
the provisions of Minnesota Statute, Chapter 105.
Community -wide structural works for flood control
intended to remove areas from the regulatory flood
plain shall not be allowed in the floodway.
h) a levee, dike or floodwall constructed in the
floodway shall not cause an increase to the 100 -year or
regional flood and the technical analysis must assume
equal conveyance or storage loss on both sides of a
stream.
545.03. Flood Fringe District. Subdivision 1. Described.
The flood fringe district shall include those areas designed
as floodway fringe on the Flood Boundary and Floodway Map
adopted in Section 545.01.
Subd. 2. Permitted Uses. Permitted uses shall be those
uses of land or structures listed as Permitted Uses in the
underlying zoning use districts (s). If no pre- existing,
underlying zoning use districts exist, then any residential
or non residential structure or use of a structure or land
shall be a permitted use in the Flood Fringe provided such
•
•
use do s not constitute a public nuisance. All permitted
uses shall comply with the standards for Flood Fringe
"Permitted Uses" listed in Subdivision 3 and the standards
for all Flood Fringe "Permitted and Conditional Uses" listed
in Subdivision 4.
Subd. 3. Standards. The following are the standards
for Flood Fringe permitted uses:
a) all structures, including accessory
structures, must be elevated on fill so that the lowest
floor including basement floor is at or above the
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation. The finished
fill elevation for Structures shall be no lower than
one (1) foot below the Regulatory Flood Protection
Elevation and the fill shall extend at such elevation
at least fifteen (15) feet beyond the outside limits of
the structure erected thereon.
b) as an alternative to elevation on fill,
accessory structures that constitute a minimal
investment and that do not exceed 500 square feet for
the outside dimension at ground level may be internally
flood proofed in accordance with Section 545.02 subd.
5e.
c) the cumulative placement of fill where at any
one time in excess of one - thousand (1,000) cubic yards
of fill is located on the parcel shall be allowable
only as a Conditional Use, unless said fill is
specifically intended to elevate a structure in
accordance with Section 545.03 subd. 3 of this
Ordinance.
d) the storage of any materials or equipment
shall be elevated on fill to the Regulatory Flood
Protection Elevation.
e) the provisions of Section 545.03 subd. 10 of
this Ordinance shall apply.
Subd. 4. Conditional Uses. Any structure that is not
elevated on fill or flood proofed in accordance with Section
545.03 subd, 3 a,b or any use of land that does not comply
with the standards in Section 545.03 c,d shall only be
allowable as a conditional use. An application for a
conditional use shall be subject to the Standards and
criteria and evaluation procedures specified in Sections
545.03 subd, 5 -15 and 545.08 subd, 8 -14 of this Ordinance.
•
•
Subd. 5. Standards. The following are the standards
for Flood Fringe conditional uses:
a) alternative elevation methods other than the
use of fill may be utilized to elevate a structure's
lowest floor above the Regulatory Flood Protection
Elevation. These alternative methods may include the
use of stilts, pilings, parallel walls, etc., or above -
grade, enclosed areas such as crawl spaces or tuck
under garages. The base or floor of an enclosed area
shall be considered above -grade and not a structure's
basement or lowest floor if:
1) if the enclosed area is above -grade on
at least one side of the structure;
2) is designed to internally flood and is
constructed with flood resistant materials; and
3) is used solely for parking of vehicles,
building access or storage. The above -noted
alternative elevation methods are subject to the
following additional standards:
a) design and certification - the
structure's design and as -built condition must be
certified by a registered professional engineer or
architect as being in compliance with the general
design standards of the State Building Code and,
specifically, that all electrical, heating,
ventilation, plumbing and air conditioning
equipment and other service facilities must be at
or above the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation
or be designed to prevent flood water from
entering or accumulation within these components
during times of flooding.
b) specific standards for above - grade,
enclosed areas above - grade, fully enclosed areas
such as crawl spaces or tuck under garages must be
designed to internally flood and the design plans
must stipulate:
1) the minimum area of openings in the walls
where internal flooding is to be used as a flood
proofing technique. When openings are placed in a
structure's walls to provide for entry of flood
waters to equalize pressures, the bottom of all
openings shall be no higher than one -foot above
grade. Openings may be equipped with screens,
louvers, valves, or other coverings or devices
provided that they permit the automatic entry and
exit of flood waters.
2) that the enclosed area will be designed
of flood resistant materials in accordance with
the FP -3 or FP -4 classifications in the State
Building Code and shall be used solely for
building access, parking of vehicles or storage.
Subd. 6. Basements. Basements, as defined by Section
515.07 subd. 11 of this Ordinance, shall be subject to the
following:
a) residential basement construction shall not be
allowed below the Regulatory Flood Protection
Elevation.
b) non - residential basements may be allowed below
th Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation provided the
basement is structurally dry flood proofed in
accordance with Section 545.03 of this Ordinance.
Subd. 7. Non - residential structures. All areas on
non - residential structures including basements to be placed
below the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation shall be
flood proofed in accordance with the structurally dry flood
proofing classifications in the State Building Code.
Structurally dry flood proofing must meet the FP -1, FP -2
flood proofing classification in the State Building Code and
this shall require making the structure watertight with the
walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water and
with structural components having the capability of
resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and the effects
of buoyancy. Structures flood proofed to the FP -3, FP -4
classification shall not be permitted.
Subd. 8. Fill. When at any one time more than 1,000
cubic yards of fill or other similar material is located on
a parcel for such activities as on -site storage,
landscaping, sand and gravel operations, landfills, roads,
dredge spoil disposal or construction of flood control
works, and erosion /sedimentation control plan must be
submitted unless the community is enforcing a state approved
shoreland management ordinance. In the absence of a state
approved shoreland ordinance, the plan must clearly specify
methods to be used to stabilize the fill on site for a flood
event at a minimum of the 100 -year or regional flood event.
The plan must be prepared and certified by a registered
professional engineer or other qualified individual
acceptable to the Governing Body. The plan may incorporate
alternative procedures for removal of the material from the
flood plain if adequate flood warning time exists.
•
Subd. 9. Storage. The storage or processing of
materials that are, in time of flooding, flammable,
explosive, or potentially injurious to human, animal, or
plant life is prohibited. The storage of other materials or
equipment may be allowed if readily removable from the area
within the time available after a flood warning and in
accordance with a plan approved by the Governing Body.
Subd. 10. Standards. The following are the standards
for all flood fringe uses:
a) all new principal structures must have a
vehicular access at or above an elevation not more than
two (2) feet below the Regulatory Flood Protection
Elevation. If a variance to this requirement is
granted, the Board of Adjustment must specify
limitations on the period of use or occupancy of the
structure for times of flooding and only after
determining that adequate flood warning time and local
flood emergency response procedures exist.
Subd. 11. Commercial uses. Accessory land uses, such
as yards, railroad tracks, and parking lots may be at
elevation lower than the Regulatory Flood Protection
Elevation. However, a permit for such facilities to be used
by the employees or the general public shall not be granted
in the absence of a flood warning system that provides
adequate time for evacuation of the area would be inundated
to a depth greater than two feet or be subject to flood
velocities greater than four feet per second upon occurrence
of the regional flood.
Subd. 12. Manufacturing and industrial uses. Measures
shall be taken to minimize interference with normal plant
operations especially along streams having protracted flood
durations. Certain accessory land uses such as yards and
parking lots may be at lower elevations subject to
requirements set out in subdivision 11 above. In
considering permit applications, due consideration shall be
given to needs of an industry whose business requires that
it be located in flood plain areas.
Subd. 13. Fill. Fill shall be properly compacted and
the slopes shall be properly protected by the use of riprap,
vegetative cover or other acceptable method. The Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has established criteria
for removing the special properly elevated on fill above the
100 -year flood elevation - FEMA's requirements incorporate
specific fill compaction and side slope protection standards
for multi- structure or multi -lot developments. These
standards should be investigated prior to the initiation of
site preparation if a change of special flood hazard area
designation will be requested.
Subd. 14. Hydraulic capacity. Flood plain
developments shall not adversely affect the hydraulic
capacity of the channel and adjoining flood plain of any
tributary watercourse or drainage system where a floodway or
other encroachment limit has not been specified on the
Official Zoning Map.
Subd. 15. Manufactured homes. All manufactured homes
must be securely anchored to an adequately anchored
foundation system that resists flotation, collapse and
lateral movement. Methods of anchoring may include but are
not to be limited to, use of over - the -top or frame ties to
ground anchors. This requirement is in addition to
applicable state or local anchoring requirements for
resisting wind forces.
545.04. Subdivisions. Subdivision 1. Review Criteria. No
land shall be subdivided which is unsuitable for the reason
of flooding, inadequate drainage, water supply or sewage
treatment facilities. All lots within the flood plain
districts shall contain a building site at or above the
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation. All subdivisions
shall have water and sewage treatment facilities that comply
with the provisions of this Ordinance and have road access
both to the subdivision and to the individual building sites
no lower than two feet below the Regulatory Flood Protection
Elevation. For all subdivisions in the flood plain, the
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation and the required
elevation of all access roads shall be clearly labelled on
all required subdivision drawings and platting documents.
Subd. 2. Removal of special flood hazard area
designation. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
has established criteria for removing the special flood
hazard area designation for certain structures properly
elevated on fill above the 100 -year flood elevation. FEMA's
requirements incorporate specific fill compaction and side
slope protection standards for multi - structure or multi -lot
developments. These standards should be investigated prior
to the initiation of the preparation if a change of special
flood hazard area designation will be requested.
545.05. Public utilities, railroads, roads, and bridges.
Subdivision 1. Public Utilities. All public utilities and
facilities such as gas, electrical, sewer, and water supply
systems to be located in the flood plain shall be flood -
proofed in accordance with the State Building Code or
elevated to above the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation.
Subd. 2. Public transportation facilities. Railroad
tracks, roads, and bridges to be located within the flood
plain shall comply with Sections 545.02 and 545.03 of this
Ordinance. Elevation to the Regulatory Flood Protection
Elevation shall be provided where failure or interruption of
these transportation facilities would result in danger to
the public health or safety or where such facilities are
essential to the orderly functioning of the area. Minor or
auxiliary roads or railroads may be constructed at a lower
elevation where failure or interruption or transportation
services would not endanger the public health or safety.
Subd. 3. On -site sewage treatment and water supply
systems. Where public utilities are not provided:
a) on -site water supply systems must be designed
to minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood waters
into the systems;
b) new or designed to minimize or eliminate
infiltration of flood waters into the systems and
discharges from the systems into flood waters and they
shall not be subject to impairment or contamination
during times of flooding. Any sewage treatment system
designed in accordance with the State's current
statewide standards for on -site sewage treatment
systems shall be determined to be in compliance with
this Section.
545.06. Manufactured homes and manufactured home parks and
placement of travel trailers and travel vehicles.
Subdivision 1. New manufactured home parks and expansions
to existing mobile manufactured home parks shall be subject
to the provisions placed on subdivisions by Section 545.03
of the Ordinance.
Subd. 2. Placement. The placement of new or
replacement manufactured homes in existing manufactured home
parks or on individual lots of record that are located in
flood plain districts will be treated as a new structure and
may be placed only if elevated in compliance with Section
545.03 of this Ordinance. If vehicular road access for pre-
existing manufactured home parks is not provided in
accordance with Section 545.03 subd. 10, then replacement
manufactured homes will not be allowed until the property
owner (s) develops a flood warning emergency plan acceptable
to the governing body.
Subd. 3. Foundation. All manufactured homes must be
securely anchored to an adequately anchored foundation
system that resists flotation, collapse and lateral
movement. Methods of anchoring may include, but are not to
be limited to, use of over - the -top or frame ties to ground
anchors. This requirement is in addition to applicable
state or local anchoring requirements for resisting wind
forces.
•
Subd. 4. Travel trailers. Tray 1 trailers and tray 1
vehicles that do not meet the exemption criteria specified
in subdivision 5 below shall be subject to the provisions of
this Ordinance and as specifically spelled out in
subdivisions 7 and 8 below.
Subd. 5. Exemption. Travel trailers and travel
vehicles are exempt from the provisions of this Ordinance if
they are placed in any of the areas listed in subdivision 6
below and further they meet the following criteria:
use.
a) have current licenses required for highway
b) are highway ready meaning on wheels or the
internal jacking system, are attached to the site only
be quick disconnect type utilities commonly used in
campgrounds and trailer parks and the travel
trailer /travel vehicle has no permanent structural type
additions attached to it.
c) the travel trailer or travel vehicle and
associated use must be permissible in any pre- existing,
underlying zoning use district.
Subd. 6. Exempt areas. The following are exempt area
for travel /recreations vehicles:
a) individual lots or parcels of record.
b) existing commercial recreational vehicles
parks or campgrounds.
c) existing condominium type associations.
Subd. 7. Exemption lost. Travel trailers and travel
vehicles exempted in Section 545.06 subd. 5 lose this
exemption when development occurs on the parcel exceeding
dollars or a structural addition to the travel
trailer /travel vehicle or an accessory structure such as a
garage or storage building. The travel trailer /travel
vehicle and all additions and accessory structures will then
be treated as a new structure and shall be subject to the
elevation /flood proofing requirements and the use of land
restrictions specified in Sections 545.02 and 545.03 of this
Ordinance.
Subd. 8. New travel trailers. New commercial travel
trailer or travel vehicle parks or campgrounds and new
residential type subdivisions and condominium associations
and the expansion of any existing similar use exceeding five
(5) units or dwelling sties shall be subject to the
following:
•
a) any new or replacement travel trailer or
travel vehicle will be allowed in the Floodway of Flood
Fringe Districts provided said trailer or vehicle and
its contents are placed on fill above the Regulatory
Flood Protection Elevation and proper elevated road
access to the site exists in accordance with section
545.03 subd. 10 of this Ordinance. Any fill placed in
floodway for the purpose of elevation a travel trailer
shall be subject to the requirements of section 545.02.
b) all new or replacement travel trailers or
travel vehicles not meeting the criteria of (a) above
may, as an alternative, be allowed as a Conditional Use
if in accordance with the following provisions and the
provisions of 545.07 subd. 8 -14 of the Ordinance. The
applicant must submit an emergency plan for the safe
evacuation of all vehicles and people during the 100
year flood. Said plan shall be prepared by a
registered engineer or other qualified individual and
shall demonstrate that adequate time and personnel
exist to carry out the evacuation. All attendant
sewage and water facilities for new or replacement
travel trailers or other recreational vehicles must be
protected or constructed so as to not be impaired or
contaminated during times of flooding in accordance
with Section 545.05 subd. 3 of the ordinance.
545.07. Zoning Administrator. Subdivision 1. A Zoning
Administrator designated by the Governing Body shall
administer and enforce this Ordinance. If the Zoning
Administrator finds a violation of the provisions of this
Ordinance the Zoning Administrator shall notify the person
responsible for such violation in accordance with the
procedures stated in Section 545.10 of this Ordinance.
Subd. 2. Permit Required. A permit issued by the
Zoning Administrator in conformity with the provisions of
this Ordinance shall be secured prior to the erection,
addition or alteration of any building, structure, or
portion thereof; prior to the use or change of use of a
building structure, or land; prior to the change or
extension of a nonconforming use; and prior to the placement
of fill, excavation of materials, or the storage of
materials or equipment within the flood plain.
Subd. 3. Application for permit. Application for a
permit shall be made in duplicate to the Zoning
Administrator on forms furnished by the Zoning Administrator
and shall include the following where applicable: plans in
duplicate drawn to scale, showing the nature, location,
dimensions, and elevations of the lot; existing or proposed
structures, fill or storage of material; and the location of
the foregoing in relation to the stream channel.
Subd. 4. State and Federal permits. Prior to granting
a permit or processing an application for a conditional use
permit or variance, the Zoning Administrator shall determine
that the applicant has obtained all necessary State And
Federal Permits.
Subd. 5. Certificate of zoning compliance for a new,
altered, or nonconforming use. It shall be unlawful to use,
occupy or permit the use or occupancy of any building or
premises or part thereof hereafter created, erected,
changed, until a letter of zoning compliance shall have been
issued by the Zoning Administrator stating that the use of
the building or land conforms to the requirements of this
Ordinance.
Subd. 6. Construction and use. Permits, conditional
use permits, or certificates of zoning compliance issued on
the basis of approved plans and applications authorize only
the use, arrangement, and construction set forth in such
approved plans and applications, and no other use,
arrangement, or construction. Any use, arrangement, or
construction at variance with that authorized shall be
deemed a violation of this ordinance, and punishable as
provided by section 545.10 of this Ordinance.
Subd. 7. Certification. The applicant shall be
required to submit certification by a registered
professional engineer, registered architect, or registered
land surveyor that the finished fill and building elevations
were accomplished in compliance with the provisions of this
ordinance. Flood- proofing measures shall be certified by a
registered professional engineer or registered architect.
Subd. 8. Record of first floor elevation. The Zoning
Administrator shall maintain a record of the elevation of
the lowest floor (including basement ) of all new structures
and alterations or additions to existing structures in the
flood plain. The Zoning Administrator shall also maintain a
record of the elevation to which structures and alterations
or additions to structures are flood - proofed.
545.08. Board of Adjustment. Subdivision 1. Rules. The
Board of Adjustment shall adopt rules for the conduct of
business and may exercise all of the powers conferred on
such Boards by State law.
Subd. 2. Administrative Review. The Board shall hear
and decide appeals where it is alleged there is error in any
order, requirement, decision, or determination made by an
administrative official in the enforcement or administration
ofthis Ordinance.
Subd. 3. Variances. The Board may authorize upon
appeal in specific cases such relief or variance from the
terms of this ordinance as will not be contrary to the
public interest and only for those circumstances such as
hardship, practical difficulties or circumstances unique to
the property under consideration, as provided for in the
respective enabling legislation for planning and zoning for
cities or counties as appropriate. In the granting of such
variance, the Board of Adjustment shall clearly identify in
writing the specific conditions that existed consistent with
the criteria specified in the respective enabling
legislation which justified the granting of the variance.
No variance shall have the effect of allowing in any
district uses prohibited in that district, permit a lower
degree of flood protection than the Regulatory Flood
Protection Elevation for the particular area, or permit
standards lower than those required by State law.
Subd. 4. Hearings. Upon filing with the Board of
Adjustment of an appeal from a decision of the Zoning
Administrator, or an application for a variance, the Board
shall fix a reasonable time for a hearing and give due
notice to the parties in interest as specified by law. The
Board shall submit by mail to the Commissioner of Natural
Resources a copy of the application for proposed variances
sufficiently in advance so that the Commissioner will
receive at least ten (10) days notice of the hearing.
Subd. 5. Decisions. The Board shall arrive at a
decision on such appeal or variance within 60 days. In
passing upon an appeal, the Board may, so long as such
action is in conformity with the provisions of this
ordinance, reverse or affirm, wholly or in part, or modify
the order, requirement, decision or determination of the
Zoning Administrator or other public official. It shall
make its decision in writing setting forth the findings of
fact and the reasons for its decisions. In granting a
variance the Board may prescribe appropriate conditions and
safeguards such as those specified the Section 545.08 subd.
14, which are in conformity with the purposes of this
ordinance. Violation of such conditions and safeguards,
when made a part of the terms under which the variance is
granted, shall be deemed a violation of this ordinance
punishable under section 545.10. A copy of all decisions
granting variances shall be forwarded by mail to the
Commissioner of Natural Resources within ten (10) days of
such action.
Subd. 6. Appeals. Appeals from any decision of the
Board may be made, and as specified in this Community's
Official controls and also Minnesota Statutes.
Subd. 7. Flood insurance notice and record keeping.
The Zoning Administrator shall notify the applicant for a
variance that:
a) the issuance of a variance to construct a
structure below the base flood level will result
increased premium rates for flood insurance up to
amounts as high as $25 for $100 of insurance coverage
and
b) such construction below the 100 -year or
regional flood level shall be maintained with a record
of all variance actions. A community shall maintain a
record of all variance actions, including justification
for their issuance, and report such variances issued in
its annual or biennial report submitted to the
Administrator of the National Flood Insurance Program.
Subd. 8. Conditional Uses. The City Council shall
hear and decide applications for Conditional Uses
permissible under this Ordinance. Applications shall be
submitted to the Zoning Administrator who shall forward the
application to the City Council for consideration.
Subd. 9. Hearings. Upon filing with the City Council
an application for a conditional use permit, the City
Council shall submit by mail to the Commissioner of Natural
Resources a copy of the application for proposed conditional
use sufficiently in advance so that the Commissioner will
receive at least ten (10) days notice of the hearing.
Subd. 10. Decisions. The City Council shall arrive at
a decision on a conditional use within 60 days. In granting
a conditional use permit the City Council shall prescribe
appropriate conditions and safeguards, in addition to those
specified in Section 545.08, which are in conformity with
the purposes of this ordinance. Violations of such
conditions and safeguards, when made a part of the terms
under which the conditional use permit is granted shall be
deemed a violation of this Ordinance punishable under
Section 545.10. A copy of all decisions granting
conditional use permits shall be forwarded by mail to the
Commissioner of Natural Resources within ten (10) days of
such action.
Subd. 11. Procedures. The applicant is required to
furnish the following information and additional information
as deemed necessary by the City Council for determining the
suitability of the particular site for the proposed use:
a) plans in triplicate drawn to scale showing the
nature, location, dimensions and elevation of the lot,
existing or proposed structures, fill, storage of
materials, flood - proofing measures, and the
relationship of the above to the location of the stream
channel.
b) specification for building construction and
materials, flood- proofing, filling dredging grading,
channel improvement, storage of materials, water supply
and sanitary facilities.
c) transmit on copy of the information described
in subsection (a) to a designated engineer or other
expert person or agency for technical assistance, where
necessary, in evaluation the proposed project in
relation to flood heights and velocities, the
seriousness of flood damage to the use, the adequacy of
the plans for protection, and other technical matters.
d) based upon the technical evaluation of the
designated engineer or expert, the City Council shall
determine the specific flood hazard at the site and
evaluate the suitability of the proposed use in
relation to the flood hazard.
Subd. 12. Decision. Factors upon which the decision of
the City Council shall be based. In passing upon
conditional use applications, the City Council shall
consider all relevant factors specified in other sections of
this Ordinance, and:
a) the danger to life and property due to
increased flood heights or velocities caused by
encroachments.
b) the danger that materials may be swept onto
other lands or downstream to the injury of others or
they block bridges, culverts or other hydraulic
structures.
c) the proposed water supply and sanitation
systems and the ability of these systems to prevent
disease, contamination, and unsanitary conditions.
d) the susceptibility of the proposed facility
and its contents to flood damage and the effect of such
damage on the individual owner.
e) the importance of the services provided by the
proposed facility to the community.
f) the requirements of the facility for a
waterfront location.
g) the availability of alternative locations not
subject to flooding for the proposed use.
h) the compatibility of the proposed use with the
existing development and development anticipated in
foreseeable future.
i) the relationship of the proposed use to the
comprehensive plan and flood plain management program
for the area.
j) the safety of access to the property in times
of flood for ordinary and emergency vehicles.
k) the expected heights, velocity, duration, rate
of rise, and sediment transport of the flood waters
expected at the site.
1) such other factors which are relevant to the
purposes of this ordinance.
Subd. 13. Time for action on application. The City
Council shall act on an application in the manner described
above within 60 days from receiving the application, except
that where additional information required pursuant to
section 545.08 subd, 12 of this Ordinance the City Council
shall render a written decision within 60 days from the
receipt of such additional information.
Subd. 14. Conditions attached to conditional use
permits. Upon consideration of the factors listed above and
the purpose of this Ordinance, the City Council shall attach
such conditions to the granting of conditional use permits
as it deems necessary to fulfill the purposes of this
ordinance. Such conditions may include, but are not limited
to the following:
a) modification of waste treatment and water
supply facilities.
b) limitation on period of use, occupancy, and
operation.
c) imposition of operation controls, sureties,
and deed restrictions.
d) requirements for construction of channel
modification, compensatory storage, dikes levees, and
other protection measures.
e) flood - proofing measures, in accordance with
the State Building Code and this Ordinance. The
applicant shall submit a plan or document certified by
a registered professional engineer or architect that
the flood - proofing measures are consistent with the
Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation and associated
flood factors for the particular area.
545.09. Nonconforming uses. Subdivision 1. A structure or
use of the structure or premises which was lawful before the
passage or amendment of this ordinance but which is not in
conformity with the provisions of this ordinance may be
continued subject to the following subdivisions: