Discussion and Review of Tiffin Municipal Code Revisions – Preparation for Setting the Public Hearing — Tiffin City Code - DRAFT

CHAPTER 160 FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT and shall be constructed or aligned to present the minimum possible resistance to flood flows. E. Structures, if permitted, shall have a low flood damage potential and shall not be for human habitation. F. Storage of materials or equipment that are buoyant, flammable, explosive, or injurious to human, animal, or plant life is prohibited. Storage of other material may be allowed if readily removable from the floodway within the time available after flood warning. G. Watercourse alterations or relocations (channel changes and modifications) must be designed to maintain the flood carrying capacity within the altered or relocated portion. In addition, such alterations or relocations must be approved by the Department of Natural Resources. H. Any fill allowed in the floodway must be shown to have some beneficial purpose and shall be limited to the minimum amount necessary. I. Pipeline river or stream crossings shall be buried in the streambed and banks or otherwise sufficiently protected to prevent rupture due to channel degradation and meandering or due to the action of flood flows. 160.06 VARIANCE PROCEDURES. 1. The Board of Appeals may authorize upon request in specific cases such Variances from the terms of this chapter that will not be contrary to the public interest where, owing to special conditions, a literal enforcement of the provisions of this chapter will result in unnecessary hardship. Variances granted must meet the following applicable standards. A. Variances shall only be granted upon: (1) A showing of good and sufficient cause; (2) A determination that failure to grant the Variance would result in exceptional hardship to the applicant; and (3) A determination that the granting of the Variance will not result in increased flood heights, additional threats to public safety, extraordinary public expense, create nuisances, cause fraud on or victimization of the public or conflict with existing local codes or ordinances. B. Variances shall not be issued within any designated floodway if any increase in flood levels during the base flood would result. Consideration of the effects of any development on flood levels shall be based upon the assumption that an equal degree of development would be allowed for similarly situated lands. C. Variances shall only be granted upon a determination that the Variance is the minimum necessary, considering the flood hazard, to afford relief. D. In cases where the Variance involves a lower level of flood protection for structures than what is ordinarily required by this chapter, the applicant shall be notified in writing over the signature of the Administrator that: CODE OF ORDINANCES, TIFFIN, IOWA - 1417 -