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(1) The director shall administer, interpret, and enforce the provisions of this Chapter.

(2) Applications for Floodplain Development Permits are subject to the following requirements:

(a) Application for a development permit shall be made by the property owner or his authorized agent and filed with the director on forms provided by the city. The application for a development permit shall be accompanied by required fees. The fees for a development permit shall be set by Resolution of the City Council. The development permit fee is not refundable. The development permit and fee required herein shall be in addition to any other permit and fee required by this Code.

(b) The application for a Floodplain Development Permit shall include all information required for any other development application with which it may be filed, and a copy of the construction drawings and elevations and three (3) copies, [one (1) reproducible] no larger than 8-1/2" X 14" of the site plan, drawn to scale, and showing lot lines and dimensions of existing and proposed structures, landscaping, fences or walls, ground elevations of the area, proposed fill or grading, storage of materials, drainage facilities and any other information deemed necessary by the director in order to fulfill the objectives of this Chapter. The following specific information is always required:

(i) the elevation in relation to mean sea level of the lowest floor, including basement, of existing and proposed structures;

(ii) the elevation in relation to mean sea level to which any structure has been or is proposed to be floodproofed; and,

(iii) a description of the extent to which any water course will be altered or relocated, as a result of a proposed development.

(3) Applications for the development permit shall be processed jointly with the application for any and all other permits required by this Code.

(4) The decision of the director to issue, deny, or conditionally issue a permit may be appealed to the hearing examiner.

(5) The director shall

(a) review all development permits to assure compliance with the requirements of this Chapter;

(b) review all development permits to determine that all necessary permits have been obtained from those federal, state, or local governmental agencies from which prior approval is required;

(c) review all development permits to determine if the proposed development is located in the floodway. If located in the floodway, the director shall assure that the provisions of 17.100.060 are met;

(d) obtain and maintain information on

(i) Where base flood elevation data is provided through the Flood Insurance Study, or FIRM, obtain and record the actual (as-built) elevation (in relation to mean sea level) of the lowest floor (including basement) of all new or substantially improved structures, and whether or not the structure contains a basement.

(ii) For all new or substantially improved floodproofed nonresidential structures where base flood elevation data is provided through the FIS, or FIRM

1. Obtain and record the elevation (in relation to mean sea level) to which the structure was floodproofed.

2. Maintain the floodproofing certifications as required in Section 17.100.050(4)(f)

(iii) Maintain for public inspection all records pertaining to the provisions of this ordinance.

(e) notify Whitman County and the Department of Ecology prior to any alteration or relocation of a watercourse, and submit evidence of such notification to the Federal Insurance Administration;

(f) require the applicant to provide maintenance within the altered or relocated portion of said watercourse so that the flood-carrying capacity is not diminished;

(g) interpret the Floodplain Boundary Map and as necessary, make interpretations as to the exact location of the boundaries of the areas of floodway and floodplain. For example, an interpretation would be necessary where there appears to be a conflict between a mapped boundary and actual field conditions. A permit applicant must make a written request to the director for an interpretation of location of the boundary. The director shall, within thirty (30) days, respond to the request with a written determination of the location of the boundary. The written determination shall cite supporting data and maps. The permit applicant may appeal to the hearing examiner.

(h) in cooperation with the director of public safety, prepare an evacuation plan indicating alternate vehicular access and evacuation routes for all residents living in areas located below base flood level or having principal access below the base flood level;

(i) submit an annual report to the Federal Insurance Administration concerning the city’s participation in the program and the development and implementation of floodplain management regulations;

(j) notify the Federal Insurance Administration whenever the boundaries of the city have been modified by annexation or the city has otherwise assumed or no longer has authority to adopt or enforce floodplain management regulations for a certain area. A copy of a map, suitable for reproduction, clearly delineating the new corporate limits or area for which the city has assumed responsibility, shall be included. (Ord. 22-2 §8, 2022; Ord. 10-2 §3, 2010; Ord. 89-1 §3, 1989; Ord. 87-9 §1, 1987).