17.76.100 Duties and responsibilities of the public works director.
Duties of the public works director shall include, but not be limited to:
A. Permit Review.
1. Review all development permits to determine that the permit requirements of this chapter have been satisfied.
2. Review all development permits to determine if the proposed development adversely affects the flood carrying capacity of the area of special flood hazard. For the purposes of this chapter, “adversely affects” means damage to adjacent properties because of rises in flood stages attributed to physical changes of the channel and the adjacent overbank areas.
a. If it is determined that there is no adverse effect, then the permit shall be granted consistent with the provisions of this chapter.
b. If it is determined that there is adverse effect, then flood damage mitigation measures shall be made a condition of the permit.
3. 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.
4. Where elevation data is not available either through the Flood Insurance Study, FIRM, or from another authoritative source, applications for building permits shall be reviewed to assure that proposed construction will be reasonably safe from flooding. The test of reasonableness is a local judgment and includes use of historical data, high water marks, photographs of past flooding, etc., where available. Failure to elevate at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade in these zones may result in higher insurance rates.
B. Use of Other Base Flood Data. When base flood elevation data has not been provided (in A or V zones) in accordance with BMC 17.76.030, the public works director shall obtain, review and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation data and floodway data available from a federal, state or other source in order to administer BMC 17.76.170 through 17.76.210.
C. Information to Be Obtained and Maintained.
1. Obtain and record the actual 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.
2. For all new or substantially improved floodproofed structures:
a. Obtain and record the actual elevation (in relation to mean sea level) to which the structure has been floodproofed;
b. Maintain the floodproofing certifications required in BMC 17.76.080(B)(3).
3. Maintain for public inspection all records pertaining to the provisions of this chapter.
D. Alteration of Watercourses.
1. Notify adjacent communities and the State Department of Ecology prior to any alteration or relocation of a watercourse, and submit evidence of such notification to the Federal Insurance Administration.
2. Require that maintenance is provided within the altered or relocated portion of said watercourse so that the flood-carrying capacity is not diminished.
E. Interpretation of FIRM Boundaries. Make interpretations where needed, as to the exact location of the boundaries of the areas of special flood hazards (for example, where there appears to be a conflict between a mapped boundary and actual field conditions). [Ord. 2018-07-012 § 4; Ord. 2003-08-055 § 3; Ord. 9969 § 2, 1989; Ord. 9136 § 3(C), 1982].