Title
Ordinance to amend and re-enact Article 4 of Chapter 9 of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Hampton, Virginia Entitled “O-FZ District - Flood Zone Overlay” by striking and readopting the O-FZ District
Purpose
Background Statement:
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is a federal program enabling property owners in participating communities to purchase flood insurance in exchange for community floodplain management regulations that reduce flood damages. Hampton has participated in the NFIP since the early 1970s. As a participant, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) periodically assesses flood hazards in Hampton and provides them to the city in the form of a Flood Insurance Study (FIS) and Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). It is the city’s responsibility to use these products in conjunction with its flood zone ordinance to regulate development in the floodplain in a manner consistent with NFIP standards.
In 2010, FEMA initiated a study to produce new FIRMs for coastal communities to better estimate flood hazards. The study produced a more accurate FIS and FIRM for Hampton that was provided to the city in preliminary form in 2014. At that time, extensive outreach efforts were made by staff to inform the community about the new maps and answer questions from residents. Postcards were mailed to every property in the floodplain and an open house was held at the Hampton Roads Convention Center.
In November 2015, FEMA finalized Hampton’s FIS and FIRM and notified the city that the new maps will become effective in May 2016. This amendment incorporates the new FIS and FIRM into the zoning ordinance, brings the ordinance into alignment with requirements for participation in the NFIP primarily by codifying the role of the Floodplain Administrator, and clarifies regulations pertaining to the 500-year floodplain. While use of the new maps will change flood zone boundaries and flood elevations in certain areas, no new policies will be implemente...
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