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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes - February 1, 2011City of Central Point Planning Commission Minutes February 1, 2011 MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 6:00 P.M. II. ROLL CALL Commissioners Connie Moczygemba, Chuck Piland, Tim Schmeusser, Justin Hurley, Rick Samuelson, Jr., and Pat Beck were present. Mike Oliver was absent. Also in attendance were: Tom Humphrey, Community Development Director; Don Burt, Planning Manager; Connie Clune, Community Planner; Dave Jacob, Community Planner; Matt Samitore, Public Works/Parks & Recreation Director; Stephanie Holtey, Floodplain/Stormwater Coordinator; and Didi Thomas, Planning Secretary. III. CORRESPONDENCE -Code revisions distributed in conjunction with business item on agenda. IV. MINUTES Justin Burley made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 4, 2011 Planning Commission meeting as submitted. Tim Schmeusser seconded the motion. ROLL CALL: Moczygemba, abstained; Hurley, yes; Beck, yes; Schmeusser, yes; Samuelson, abstained; and Piland, yes. Motion passed. V. PUBLIC APPEARANCES -None. VI. BUSINESS A. File No. 11013. Consideration of Legislative Land Use Regulation amendments of the City of Central Point Municipal Code Chapter 8.24, Flood Damage Prevention, and Chapter 17.57, Fences. Applicant: City of Central Point Don Burt, Planning Manager, informed Commissioners and the audience that the new Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Map, which is the topic of discussion this evening, identifies flood hazard areas in Central Point. This is a federally published map that will be taking effect on May 3, 2011. For those properties located within high risk flood hazard areas and have a federally regulated mortgage, flood insurance will become mandatory. Planning Commission Minuses February 1, 2011 Page 2 A new ordinance will reference the newly revised FIRM and sets forth the regulations for properties located within the high risk flood zones. If a new ordinance is not adopted that references the new map, property owners will not be able to obtain flood insurance. Therefore, Mr. Burt, stated, it is very important to get the necessary regulations in place for the City. Stephanie Holtey, Floodplain Manager, introduced herself and said that the purpose of the meeting this evening is to discuss the proposed legislative code amendments to Chapter 8.24, Flood Damage Prevention. The purpose of these code amendments, Stephanie advised, is to stay compliant with the National Flood Insurance Program (IVFIP) requirements. The provisions in the code help to reduce flood damages, as well as the rates for flood insurance for the citizens of Central Point who are located in high risk areas. Stephanie reviewed the new flood map and explained the flood zone definitions as she illustrated the location of the high risk flood hazard areas. She explained changes to the flood risk impact on properties since the adoption of the 1982 map. The maps, Stephanie pointed out, are intended to update our awareness of flood risk. The mandatory flood insurance purchase requirement is a federal requirement that is enforced by the lending industry. Stephanie explained that the City currently has a limited program to purchase FEMA Elevation Certificates for impacted properties and that these certificates are used by insurance companies to rate flood insurance policies. This Elevation Certificate acquisition program is part of agrant-funded hazard mitigation planning effort that aims to quantify risk of natural hazards and identify actions to reduce the risk before a disaster occurs. If a property is located in a high risk area, and does not have an Elevation Certificte on file with the city, a property owner is eligible to participate in the program. When queried by members of the audience concerning the reasons behind the change in flood maps, Stephanie explained that flood hazards have been re-evaluated based on improved topographical information and the best available science and engineering modeling available to improve our awareness of flood risk. If a property owner felt that they were not located in a high risk area as indicated on the map, they could apply for a "Letter of Map Amendment" from FEMA. A presentation of the proposed code amendments ensued. These amendments, Stephanie explained, utilized the revised State model code and are consistent with the State building codes for easier reference and access. New sections have been added to CPMC 8.24 concerning stream setback requirements, drainage provisions, accessory structures, below-grade crawlspaces and fences. Section 17.57 of the existing code will refer all floodplain fence provisions to CPMC Section 8.24. The Oregon Department of Transportation has requested clarification of procedural requirements, and these will be made prior to forwarding the new ordinance to the City Council. Planning Commission Minuses February 1, 2011 Page 3 The City, according to Stephanie, will continue its efforts to mitigate the potential for damage by completing and recommending implementation of flood hazard mitigation projects, such as upgrading culverts and bridge crossings. Tom Humphrey, Community Development Director, added that when the City replaced the box culvert on Scenic Avenue with moneys received from Douglas County, a bridge was put in that allowed for more capacity. Over time, with the results of maps and recommendations of consultants, the City will be able to replace other culverts in order to mitigate potential harm. Commissioners took a short five minute break at 6:50 p.m. and afforded those persons in the audience the opportunity to visit with staff and ask questions about the new FEMA map. The meeting was resumed at 6:55 p.m. There were no conflicts or ex pane communications to disclose. The public hearing was then opened and as no one came forward to speak either for or against the business at hand, the public hearing was closed. Justin Hurley made a motion to approve Resolution 779 forwarding a favorable recommendation to the City Council for the City of Central Point to consider amendments to Municipal Code Chapter 8.24, Flood Damage Prevention. Pat Beck seconded the motion. ROLL CALL: Moczygemba, yes; Hurley, yes; Beck, yes; Schmeusser, yes; and Samuelson, yes. Motion passed. Justin Hurley made a motion to approve Resolution 780 forwarding a favorable recommendation to the City Council for the City of Central Point to consider amendments to Municipal Code Chapter 17.57, Fences. Tim Schmeusser seconded the motion. ROLL CALL: Moczygemba, yes; Hurley, yes; Beck, yes; Schmeusser, yes; and Samuelson, yes. Motion passed. VIII. ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEWS 1X. MISCELLANEOUS X. ADJOURNMENT Tim Schmeusser made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Rick Samuelson, Jr. seconded the motion. Meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m. Planning Commission Minuses February 1, 2011 Page 4 The foregoing minutes of the February 1, 2011 Planning Commission meeting were approved by the Planning Commission at its meeting on the _____ day of 2011. Planning Commission Chair