AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Consider approval of Ordinance 2020-87, on the first of two readings, amending Chapter 39 of the San Marcos City Code regarding flood damage prevention by providing for enhanced flood damage prevention and mitigation standards; providing a savings clause; providing for the repeal of any conflicting provisions; and providing an effective date.
Body
Meeting date: December 2, 2020
Department: Engineering & CIP
Amount & Source of Funding
Funds Required: NA
Account Number: NA
Funds Available: NA
Account Name: NA
Fiscal Note:
Prior Council Action: NA
City Council Strategic Initiative: [Please select from the dropdown menu below]
Sustainability
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☐ Environment & Resource Protection - Population Prepared for and resilient to Man-Made & Natural Disasters
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Master Plan: [Please select the corresponding Master Plan from the dropdown menu below (if applicable)]
Flood Protection Master Plan
Background Information:
This is an update to the City Code of Ordinances Chapter 39: Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance to adopt the latest Flood Insurance Rate Maps for Caldwell and Guadalupe Counties. As part of the City’s participation in the National Flood Insurance Program the City’s Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance regulates the flood hazard areas based on the adopted Flood Insurance Rate Maps and Flood Insurance Study. The current ordinance reads as follows:
(1) "Flood Insurance Study for Hays County, Texas, and Incorporated Areas," dated September 2, 2005, with accompanying flood insurance rate maps and any revisions thereto;
(2) "Flood Insurance Study for Caldwell County, Texas, Unincorporated Areas," dated June 19, 2012, with accompanying flood insurance rate maps and any revisions thereto;
(3) "Flood Insurance Study for Guadalupe County, Texas, and Incorporated Areas," dated November 2, 2007, with accompanying flood insurance rate maps and any revisions thereto;
(4) "Flood Insurance Study for Comal County. Texas, and Incorporated Areas," dated September 2, 2009, with accompanying flood insurance rate maps and any revisions thereto; are hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this chapter; and,
The Flood Insurance Rate Maps and Flood Insurance Study for Caldwell and Guadalupe Counties have been revised and the City is therefore responsible to update the ordinance with the adoption of these updates changing the effective dates to December 30, 2020. The process did include public notification of the map changes as well as an Appeal and Comment period.
The revised maps and studies are the result of updates conducted after the 2015 Floods. These revisions did result in floodplain increases throughout, but Caldwell and Guadalupe County maps only cover a small undeveloped portion of the City limits; however, the Hays County maps are in the final stages of the process thru FEMA to complete those revisions and adoption is anticipated within the next 6 months.
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
NA
Alternatives:
NA
Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval