July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Variance is needed for jail project
The county is taking legal precautions in preparation to build the Jay County expansion in a flood plain.
The Jay County Commissioners signed a petition for a variance this morning, asking the Portland Board of Zoning Appeals for permission to build the jail expansion within a flood plain, which the Federal Emergency Management Agency-approved maps of the city show including the site.
Although the old maps, which were approved in the 1970s, show the site within a flood zone, newer information from city surveys done in the 1990s show that area is now elevated out of potential high water. The newer Portland maps, however, have never been approved by FEMA, so the older maps are still used as the official source for building projects.
Building in a flood plain usually means an owner must carry flood insurance to garner financing. But since the jail will be bonded and the county doesn't carry that insurance on any other building, the requirement is a somewhat of a moot point.
"Because we don't need FEMA's approval ... we don't need flood insurance," said Jeff Badders of SchenkelShultz about the expansion.
Badders said, however, that ignoring the requirements, while likely having no repercussions for the county, could create problems down the line for the designing firm if FEMA wanted to press the issue.
After speaking with Jay/Portland Building and Zoning director Bill Milligan and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, they were all in agreement that any legal issues should be resolved and all parties should be protected by simply filing the variance.
"Everyone agrees the City of Portland is no longer in flood danger," Badders said. "The state's already said we meet the variance."
"This is going to make everyone happy," Milligan said, stating the variance "just references the fact that better information is available" than the outdated flood maps.
Milligan had briefly discussed the outdated flood maps with the Jay County Board of Zoning Appeals on Thursday, and said he hopes that the county will have new, validated flood maps within the next couple years, since better technology and further land development have drastically changed the drainage situation in the county over the last 30 years.
The variance will be heard by the Portland Board of Zoning Appeals at its next meeting on May 12.
In other business this morning, the commissioners:
•Signed an emergency claim for $40 to pay for a legal notice advertising the county's intent to file for a variance.
•Were thanked by rural Portland resident Carter Leonard for the work done in passing new requirements for animal waste lagoon setbacks. The commissioners approved the new zoning regulations at last week's meeting.
•Granted permission for local Hispanic group CASA de Portland to use the courthouse auditorium for an early Cinco de Mayo celebration on May 2 from 3 to 5 p.m.[[In-content Ad]]
The Jay County Commissioners signed a petition for a variance this morning, asking the Portland Board of Zoning Appeals for permission to build the jail expansion within a flood plain, which the Federal Emergency Management Agency-approved maps of the city show including the site.
Although the old maps, which were approved in the 1970s, show the site within a flood zone, newer information from city surveys done in the 1990s show that area is now elevated out of potential high water. The newer Portland maps, however, have never been approved by FEMA, so the older maps are still used as the official source for building projects.
Building in a flood plain usually means an owner must carry flood insurance to garner financing. But since the jail will be bonded and the county doesn't carry that insurance on any other building, the requirement is a somewhat of a moot point.
"Because we don't need FEMA's approval ... we don't need flood insurance," said Jeff Badders of SchenkelShultz about the expansion.
Badders said, however, that ignoring the requirements, while likely having no repercussions for the county, could create problems down the line for the designing firm if FEMA wanted to press the issue.
After speaking with Jay/Portland Building and Zoning director Bill Milligan and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, they were all in agreement that any legal issues should be resolved and all parties should be protected by simply filing the variance.
"Everyone agrees the City of Portland is no longer in flood danger," Badders said. "The state's already said we meet the variance."
"This is going to make everyone happy," Milligan said, stating the variance "just references the fact that better information is available" than the outdated flood maps.
Milligan had briefly discussed the outdated flood maps with the Jay County Board of Zoning Appeals on Thursday, and said he hopes that the county will have new, validated flood maps within the next couple years, since better technology and further land development have drastically changed the drainage situation in the county over the last 30 years.
The variance will be heard by the Portland Board of Zoning Appeals at its next meeting on May 12.
In other business this morning, the commissioners:
•Signed an emergency claim for $40 to pay for a legal notice advertising the county's intent to file for a variance.
•Were thanked by rural Portland resident Carter Leonard for the work done in passing new requirements for animal waste lagoon setbacks. The commissioners approved the new zoning regulations at last week's meeting.
•Granted permission for local Hispanic group CASA de Portland to use the courthouse auditorium for an early Cinco de Mayo celebration on May 2 from 3 to 5 p.m.[[In-content Ad]]
Top Stories
9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit
Chartwells marketing
September 17, 2024 7:36 a.m.
Events
250 X 250 AD