Lacey Adopts 'Unreasonably Burdensome' FEMA Maps

The Lacey Township Committee adopted an ordinance that refers to the FEMA elevation maps as “unreasonably burdensome.”

Though Lacey Township Committee members said they don't agree with the interim FEMA flood elevation maps, in March they approved the first reading of the ordinance to adopt the guidelines as not to jeopardize federal and other funding.

While the elevation recommendations may be high, not adopting the ordinance could sacrifice funding for Increased Cost of Compliance, Mayor David Most previously said.

The known flood risk has changed since the last effective community Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for communities in New Jersey. FEMA has created Advisory Base Flood Elevations (ABFEs) to show a more current picture of flood risk.

The maps provide elevation levels that residents should raise their homes to protect them from future storms and avoid high insurance premiums, Most had said

FEMA designated flood prone areas as zone A Approximate flood zones. Zone A is based on FEMA's best guess of where flooding would occur in a 100-year flood event. The V zone designates a Coastal Velocity Zone, where the hazards of flooding increase because of wave velocity. Homes in a V zone must be raised higher than those in an A zone.

Residents are advised to elevate to the recommended heights, plus one foot, as mandated by the state. Failing to adopt an ordinance accepting the maps would put township residents in jeopardy of not receiving funding to make repairs, rebuild or elevate.

Residents whose homes were more than 50 percent damaged will have to rebuild to these new standards, Most previously said. Those with less than 50 percent in damage do not need to elevate but will be subject to hikes in insurance premiums.

The ordinance calls the ABFE standards "unreasonably burdensome" to the residents of Lacey.

Failing to adopt the ordinance would not only impair the ability of property owners to receive compliance funds from the FEMA flood insurance program, but could lead to Lacey residents building to outdated FEMA standards, ultimately leading to "crushing" flood insurance premium rates, the ordinance says.

The town will continue to oppose the maps by any means available, the ordinance says.

"Whereas, the Township of Lacey vigorously opposes many of the flood area designations, height requirements and building standards applicable to structures located within the Township under the ABFEs in their current form," the ordinance says.

In addition to adopting the maps, the ordinance amends Cahpter 185, entitled "Flood Hazard Areas" updating definitions, development permit requirements and standards. A copy of the ordinance is attached to this story as a PDF.

In Superstorm Sandy's wake, Gov. Chris Christie announced in late January that the state would adopt the Advisory Base Flood Elevation maps, which supersedes any municipal ordinances. FEMA officials have said the maps are on the conservative side and could be amended before their final adoption.

Once finalized, the Committee will have to adopt a new ordinance.