Local Policy I

1. Local Policy I Session Outline • I. Introduction • What Do We Mean By “Local Policy” • General Police Power Session Name: Local Policy I Coastal Hazards Management Course Slide 35.1

2. Local Policy I Session Outline • II. Fundamental Powers of Local Governments • Regulation • Acquisition • Taxation • Spending • Education • III. Planning Session Name: Local Policy I Coastal Hazards Management Course Slide 35.2

3. Local Policy I Session Outline • IV. Types of Land Use Regulations • Zoning Ordinances • Subdivision Ordinances • Building Codes • Flood Damage Prevention Ordinances • V. Acquisition and Management of Land Session Name: Local Policy I Coastal Hazards Management Course Slide 35.3

4. Local Policy I Session Outline • VI. Taxation and Fees • Real Property • Special Assessments • Impact Fees • Federal Internal Revenue Code • VII. Spending • Capital Improvement Programs and Budgets • Urban Service Boundaries • Public Investment for Growth Management • Government Buildings and Facilities Slide 35.4 Session Name: Local Policy I Coastal Hazards Management Course

5. Local Policy I Session Outline • VIII. Education • The Need for Hazard Awareness • Real Estate Disclosure • Community Awareness Programs • Hazard Maps • Disaster Warning • IX. “Living with the Shore” Session Name: Local Policy I Coastal Hazards Management Course Slide 35.5

6. Local Policy I General Police Power • Local governments enact and enforce regulations that protect the public • Health • Safety • General Welfare • Local government power is derivative (Delegated by the State) Session Name: Local Policy I Coastal Hazards Management Course Slide 35.6

7. Local Policy I Fundamental Powers of Local Government • Regulation • Acquisition • Taxation • Spending • Education Session Name: Local Policy I Coastal Hazards Management Course Slide 35.7

8. Local Policy I Types of Local Plans • Emergency Response Plans • Open Space and Recreational Plans • Capital Improvement Plans • Area Plans • Comprehensive Plan • Land Use Plan • Floodplain Management Plans • Stormwater Management Plans Session Name: Local Policy I Coastal Hazards Management Course Slide 35.8

9. Local Policy I Zoning • Divides the community into districts (zones) • Zoning Ordinance Consists of: • Zoning Map • Text Session Name: Local Policy I Coastal Hazards Management Course Slide 35.9

10. Local Policy I Zone District Map Session Name: Local Policy I Coastal Hazards Management Course Slide 35.10

11. Local Policy I Types of Use • Zoning ordinance defines types of use allowed in each district • Residential • Multi-Family • Single Family • Commercial • Industrial • Public • Schools • Government • Utilities • Semi-Public • Churches Session Name: Local Policy I Coastal Hazards Management Course Slide 35.11

12. Local Policy I Zoning District Requirements • Zoning ordinance dictates specifications for use. • Lot size • Building height • Set backs • Parking spaces • Density Session Name: Local Policy I Coastal Hazards Management Course Slide 35.12

13. Local Policy I Zoning for Hazard Mitigation • Strengths: • Affects Characteristics of Future Development • Designate Hazard Areas for Low-Intensity Uses • Designate Safer Areas for Higher-Intensity Uses • Conserve Natural Areas Session Name: Local Policy I Coastal Hazards Management Course Slide 35.13

14. Local Policy I Zoning for Hazard Mitigation • Strengths: • Lower Densities in Hazard Area • Safeguard local tax base • Population matches shelter capacity • Decrease Evacuation Times • Ease development pressures (easier to acquire) • Prevent large structures from being built in high-hazard zones • Prohibit Hazardous Materials in Floodplains Session Name: Local Policy I Coastal Hazards Management Course Slide 35.14

15. Local Policy I Zoning for Hazard Mitigation • Weaknesses: • Ineffective for protecting existing development in hazard areas • Zoning is effective only if hazard maps are accurate • Zoning is subject to legal and political challenges • Lower density may mean lower tax revenues • Lower density may increase cost of public services • Zoning may change with political change • Zoning must be strictly enforced to be effective Session Name: Local Policy I Coastal Hazards Management Course Slide 35.15

16. Local Policy I Subdivision Regulations • Control the division of land into parcels for development or sale • Set construction and location standards within subdivisions Session Name: Local Policy I Coastal Hazards Management Course Slide 35.16

17. Local Policy I Typical Subdivision Source: Julie Stein Session Name: Local Policy I Coastal Hazards Management Course Slide 35.17

18. Local Policy I Provisions of Subdivision Regulations: • Lot siting • Stormwater management • Sediment control • Amount of impervious surfaces • Open spaces • Emergency access • Hydrological/geologic/engineering studies • Street Design • Infrastructure Design Session Name: Local Policy I Coastal Hazards Management Course Slide 35.18

19. Local Policy I Subdivision Regulations Require Project Improvements: • Streets • Sidewalks • Drainage control • Dedication of Land • Impact Fees Session Name: Local Policy I Coastal Hazards Management Course Slide 35.19

20. Local Policy I Building Codes • Laws that set standards and requirements for building construction: • Structural integrity • Design • Construction materials and methods • State or local adoption • Uniform codes v. local codes Session Name: Local Policy I Coastal Hazards Management Course Slide 35.20

21. Local Policy I Building Codes can address hazard elements: • Fire resistance • Seismic safety • Floodproofing • High-wind resilience Session Name: Local Policy I Coastal Hazards Management Course Slide 35.21

22. Local Policy I Building Code Enforcement • Must be strict, especially following disaster • Inspection and enforcement often a local responsibility • Post-storm moratoria allow proper damage assessment Session Name: Local Policy I Coastal Hazards Management Course Slide 35.22

23. Local Policy I Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance • Prohibit or establish conditions for development in high risk areas • Often prepared pursuant to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) • Regulations often pertain only to areas shown on Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Session Name: Local Policy I Coastal Hazards Management Course Slide 35.23

24. Local Policy I Minimum NFIP Flood Prevention Ordinance Standards • Floodway must be free of obstructions • All development in 100 year floodplain must obtain a permit • New residential buildings must be elevated or floodproofed • Nonresidential structures must be elevated above 100 year flood • Post-storm reconstruction must meet current regulations Session Name: Local Policy I Coastal Hazards Management Course Slide 35.24

25. Local Policy I Acquisition of Hazard-Prone Property • Removes property from the development stream • Homeowners and business owners are relocated out of harm’s way • Land remains open space/recreation/greenway in perpetuity • Less expensive in the long run than repeated reconstruction Session Name: Local Policy I Coastal Hazards Management Course Slide 35.25

26. Local Policy I Federal Funding Programs for Acquisition and Relocation • Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) • Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program (PDM) • Flood Mitigation Assistance Program (FMA) • Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) Session Name: Local Policy I Coastal Hazards Management Course Slide 35.26