The Stone Harbor Borough Council passed on first reading an ordinance that attempts to create uniform building regulations in the community based on the new flood maps recently released by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.  The new regulations address chapters 300 and 560 and will result in a new base elevation of nine feet and an extra foot of freeboard.  The new measure now advances to the Stone Harbor Planning and Zoning Board for consideration before it undergoes a final public review at the October 15th meeting of the Stone Harbor Borough Council.

“These new building regulations make practical sense and encourages uniformity for the Borough as we adapt to the new flood maps released by FEMA”, said Stone Harbor Mayor Suzanne Walters.  “This new ordinance will create a set of regulations that will result in conformity to the new flood maps while also providing the Borough with additional points in the Community Rating System that may result in a higher flood insurance discount for all property owners in our community”.

A presentation was made by OSK Design Partners, PA of Stone Harbor, New Jersey on proposed changes to the construction ordinance.  The presentation outlined many benefits of adding an extra foot of freeboard, which include an area for HVAC ducts and other mechanicals to be placed in a crawlspace above the base flood elevation.  Additionally, buildings located in coastal “A” zones throughout the Borough would experience improved protection.

A base flood elevation of nine feet would provide a consistent and uniform datum to measure the height of all buildings, regardless of top of curb elevation.  The datum of nine feet is the same, or higher, than the base flood elevation for all flood hazard zones except for the “V”, or velocity zones.  Fewer than 100 properties are in “V” zones according to the latest flood maps released by FEMA.

By implementing these new building regulations, the Borough may earn enough points in the Community Rating System that would result in a higher classification and a greater discount on flood insurance for all property owners.

Stone Harbor Building Height Power Point Presentation Oct 1 2013