How flood variance applications are reviewed

The director of public works shall review variance applications and shall consider all technical evaluations, relevant factors, standards specified in other sections of this chapter, and: (a) The danger that materials may be swept onto other lands to the injury of others; (b) The danger of life and property due to flooding or erosion damage; (c) The susceptibility of the proposed facility and its contents to flood damage and the effect of such damage on the existing individual owner and future owners of the property; (d) The importance of the services provided by the proposed facility to the community; (e) The necessity to the facility of a waterfront location, where applicable; (f) The availability of alternative locations for the proposed use which are not subject to flooding or erosion damage; (g) The compatibility of the proposed use with existing and anticipated development; (h) The relationship of the proposed use to the comprehensive plan and floodplain management program, if any, for that area; (i) The safety of access to the property in time of flood for ordinary and emergency vehicles; (j) The expected heights, velocity, duration, rate of rise, and sediment transport of the flood waters expected at the site; and (k) The costs of providing governmental services during and after flood conditions, including maintenance and repair of public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical, and water system, and streets and bridges. (l) Upon consideration of the factors of paragraphs 27-29(a) through 27-29(k) and the purposes of this chapter, the director of public works may attach such conditions to the granting of variances as it deems necessary to further the purposes of this chapter. (1993, ord 93-78, sec 3; am 2001, ord 01-108, sec 1.)27-29