§ 14-8. Variances and appeals.

(a)

Upon the submission of a written application to the director of the department of sustainable development, the variance committee consisting of the director of the department of sustainable development, the floodplain administrator, the building official and the director of public works or their designees, shall hear and make recommendations to the city commission regarding requests for variances from the requirements of this chapter pursuant to F.S. § 553.73(5). The city commission shall, upon consideration of the variance committee's recommendation, hear and decide on requests for appeals and requests for variances from the strict application of the flood resistant construction requirements of the Florida Building Code. This section does not apply to Section 3109 of the Florida Building Code, Building.

(b)

Appeals. The city commission shall hear and decide appeals when it is alleged there is an error in any requirement, decision, or determination made by the floodplain administrator in the administration and enforcement of this chapter. Any person aggrieved by the decision of city commission may appeal such decision to the Circuit Court, as provided by Florida Statutes.

(c)

Limitations on authority to grant variances. The city commission shall base its decisions on variances on technical justifications submitted by applicants, the considerations for issuance in section 14-8(f) of this chapter, the conditions of issuance set forth in section 14-8(g) of this chapter, and the comments and recommendations of the variance committee. The city commission has the right to attach such conditions as it deems necessary to further the purposes and objectives of this chapter.

(d)

Historic buildings. A variance is authorized to be issued for the repair, improvement, or rehabilitation of a historic building that is determined eligible for the exception to the flood resistant construction requirements of the Florida Building Code, Existing Building, Chapter 11 Historic Buildings, upon a determination that the proposed repair, improvement, or rehabilitation will not preclude the building's continued designation as a historic building and the variance is the minimum necessary to preserve the historic character and design of the building. If the proposed work precludes the building's continued designation as a historic building, a variance shall not be granted and the building and any repair, improvement, and rehabilitation shall be subject to the requirements of the Florida Building Code.

(e)

Functionally dependent uses. A variance is authorized to be issued for the construction or substantial improvement necessary for the conduct of a functionally dependent use, as defined in this chapter, is the minimum necessary considering the flood hazard, and all due consideration has been given to use of methods and materials that minimize flood damage during occurrence of the base flood.

(f)

Considerations for issuance of variances. In reviewing requests for variances, the city commission shall consider the recommendation of the variance committee, all technical evaluations, all relevant factors, all other applicable provisions of the Florida Building Code, this chapter, and the following:

(1)

The danger that materials and debris may be swept onto other lands resulting in further injury or damage;

(2)

The danger to life and property due to flooding or erosion damage;

(3)

The susceptibility of the proposed development, including contents, to flood damage and the effect of such damage on current and future owners;

(4)

The importance of the services provided by the proposed development to the community;

(5)

The availability of alternate locations for the proposed development that are subject to lower risk of flooding or erosion;

(6)

The compatibility of the proposed development with existing and anticipated development;

(7)

The relationship of the proposed development to the comprehensive plan and floodplain management program for the area;

(8)

The safety of access to the property in times of flooding for ordinary and emergency vehicles;

(9)

The expected heights, velocity, duration, rate of rise and debris and sediment transport of the floodwaters and the effects of wave action, if applicable, expected at the site; and

(10)

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 systems, streets and bridges.

(g)

Conditions for issuance of variances. Variances shall be issued only upon:

(1)

Submission by the applicant, of a showing of good and sufficient cause that the unique characteristics of the size, configuration, or topography of the site limit compliance with any provision of this chapter or the required elevation standards;

(2)

Determination by the city commission that:

a.

Failure to grant the variance would result in exceptional hardship due to the physical characteristics of the land that render the lot undevelopable; increased costs to satisfy the requirements or inconvenience do not constitute hardship;

b.

The granting of a variance will not result in increased flood heights, additional threats to public safety, extraordinary public expense, nor create nuisances, cause fraud on or victimization of the public or conflict with existing local laws and ordinances; and

c.

The variance is the minimum necessary, considering the flood hazard, to afford relief;

(3)

Receipt of a signed statement by the applicant that the variance, if granted, shall be recorded in the office of the clerk of the court in such a manner that it appears in the chain of title of the affected parcel of land; and

(h)

If the request is for a variance to allow construction of the lowest floor of a new building, or substantial improvement of a building, below the required elevation, a copy in the record of a written notice from the floodplain administrator to the applicant for the variance, specifying the difference between the base flood elevation and the proposed elevation of the lowest floor, stating that the cost of federal flood insurance will be commensurate with the increased risk resulting from the reduced floor elevation (up to amounts as high as twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for one hundred dollars ($100.00) of insurance coverage), and stating that construction below the base flood elevation increases risks to life and property.

( Ord. No. C-14-26, § 2, 6-17-14 )