ZA-2020-002

This application is for proposed amendments to Milwaukie Municipal Code (MMC) Title 18 Flood Hazard Regulations.  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires that communities keep their local flood hazard regulations current with federal standards in order to maintain eligibility for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).  The City has participated in the NFIP for a long time, which allows property owners within the city limits to purchase flood insurance policies that are federally subsidized and therefore more affordable than flood insurance provided by the private sector. 

The proposed amendments are largely administrative and policy-neutral in nature and are specifically designed to ensure that City ordinances relating to development in designated flood hazard areas continue to be consistent with applicable federal regulations for flood management.  The Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) is facilitating this effort and has provided a model ordinance as a guide.  The proposal is to repeal the existing MMC Title 18 and replace it with very similar language based on DLCD’s model ordinance.  (The current code is based on an earlier version of a model ordinance created for the same purpose.)

The primary package of amendments to Title 18 was adopted by the City Council on March 2, 2021. Following the adoption, DLCD informed City staff that two additional minor adjustments are required to maintain compliance with applicable federal standards. The required changes are related to language that was in the original version of MMC Title 18 but was mistakenly removed from or changed in the amended version adopted by Council on March 2. The language to be restored addresses general standards for construction in flood hazard areas (MMC Section 18.20.040). A public hearing with Council to adopt these required changes is scheduled for April 20, 2021.”

Application Type(s)
Zoning Text Amendment

Hearing Date(s)
Planning Commission Hearing January 12, 2021
City Council Hearing March 2, 2021
City Council Hearing April 20, 2021

Current Status
Approved

Staff Contact
Brett Kelver, Associate Planner
503-786-7657
kelverb@milwaukieoregon.gov