Hurricane Sandy

Council Approves Height Waiver for New and Existing Homes

Structures can exceed 35 feet from base flood elevation, according to ordinance

A revision to an ordinance waiving height restriction for Superstorm Sandy-damaged homes was amended to apply the new rules to both new and existing structures.  In flood zones, property owners raising their homes now can be built up to 35 feet tall when measured from FEMA Base Flood Elevation, whether it is a new or existing structure. This will ensure that building heights among neighboring homes remain consistent, Township Engineer Robert Chankalian said after the Township Council approved the ordinance amendment Tuesday.  "You could end up with up-and-down, so we said 'let's treat everyone the same,'" Chankalian said. "It makes it fair. Everyone gets the same sized house." Councilman Jeffrey Carr, who is the chairman of the land use …

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Ordinance Creating Variance Process for Flood Map Appeals Approved by Planners

But granting of variances could jeopardize township participation in insurance program

Planning Board members have given their approval to a proposed ordinance that creates a variance process for property owners who want to contest their Advisory Base Flood Elevation status.  The proposed ordinance, which now must be adopted by the Township Council, establishes that the Planning Board would function as an appeals body for that process. But obtaining a variance is expected to be difficult, according to Assistant Township Planner Erika Stahl. "Any variance that may be granted by the board would impact our National Flood Insurance Program participation. So we would have to be very, very careful with what variances are granted. That will be something you guys will have to consider," she told the board last week. The township is …

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Sam

8:50 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013

Yes! Karen M and If Biggert-Waters was passed in JULY of 2012. And it clearly states that our rates were going up! WAY-UP!! Even before SANDY!! Who knew this?? And When? AND when was someone going to tell us?? My insurance premiums will cause more damage than SANDY!!   more ›