Agenda Date: 05/19/2020
Subject:
Title
Ordinance 14-2020: An ordinance on second reading amending the floodplain regulations contained in Title 10, Chapter 6, and referenced in Title 2, Chapter 9 and Title 10 Chapters 1, 2, and 3
Body
Prepared by:
Carolyn Roan, Water Resource Manager
PURPOSE:
To amend the city's floodplain regulations located in Title 10 Chapter 6, with associated references in Title 2 Chapter 9 and Title 10 Chapters 1, 2, and 3, and creation of a Floodplain Overlay District (FP-O) on the city zoning map to comply with new regulatory language, clarify building restrictions, and provide clarity on the permitting process.
PRESENTATIONS:
Staff Presenter(s): Carolyn Roan, Water Resource Manager
Additional Presenter(s): N/A
SUMMARY:
The City of Littleton has participated in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) since 1971. To participate in the NFIP, the city was required to adopt and administer floodplain regulations. Floodplain regulations have required periodic updates to remain in compliance with 1) new regulatory language, 2) to clarify building restrictions, and 3) to provide clarity on the permitting process. The proposed code update includes certain elements of the regulatory update in 2013 that were omitted, addresses some unclear descriptions of building restrictions in the current code, and creates a more efficient floodplain permit process in Littleton.
Currently the code requires that an applicant proposing a building or fill material project within a floodplain, must have a Use by Special Exception approved by the Planning Commission in a public hearing. This process is burdensome and costly for individual property owners, especially for small projects, as well as to developers and city staff. It is also inconsistent with surrounding jurisdictions in the Denver metro area. The proposed code amendment would limit Planning Commission public hearings to certain cases with more floodplain impact, with the remainder...
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