18A.50.060 Variances – Flood hazard overlay.
A. Variances may be issued for the reconstruction, rehabilitation, or restoration of structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places or the State Inventory of Historic Places, without regard to the procedures set forth in this section.
B. Variances shall not be issued within a designated floodway if the proposed development would result in any increase in flood levels during the base flood discharge.
C. Variances shall only be issued upon a determination that the variance is the minimum necessary, considering the flood hazard, to afford relief.
D. Variances shall only be issued upon:
1. A showing of good and sufficient cause.
2. A determination that failure to grant the variance would result in exceptional hardship to the applicant.
3. A determination that the granting of a variance will not result in increased flood heights, additional threats to public safety, extraordinary public expense, create nuisances, cause fraud on or victimization of the public, or conflict with existing local laws or ordinances.
E. Any applicant to whom a variance is granted shall be given written notice of the required lowest floor elevation stated in feet below the base flood elevation. Applicants shall be made aware that the cost of flood insurance will be commensurate with the risk resulting from the reduced lowest flood elevation.
F. Variance Time Limit. Authorization of a variance shall be void after six (6) months unless the new construction, substantial improvement or approved activity has taken place. However, the Director may, at his discretion, extend authorization for one (1) additional six (6) month period upon request. [Ord. 726 § 2 (Exh. B), 2019.]