Flood Zone Building Code Adopted in Brick; 'A First Step,' Officials Say

Three weeks after it was endorsed by the township's planning board, the zoning laws for the township's newly-expanded flood zones under the Federal Emergency Management Agency's flood maps was approved on second reading by the Brick Township council Tuesday night.

"By putting this out right now, this will help a lot of people," said Councilman Domenick Brando, explaining that the ordinance will allow residents to begin the task of rebuilding their homes following Superstorm Sandy.

The ordinance will take effect March 25, township attorney Jean Cipriani said.

Council members unanimously voted in favor of adopting the building code following a public hearing, though they also acknowledged the ordinance will likely have to be changed as issues crop up.

The building codes require those in flood zones to raise their homes one foot above FEMA's advisory base flood elevations. But for the cheapest flood insurance rates, homeowners will have to be elevated three feet above the base elevation.

Those wishing to raise their homes more than one foot above the base would need a variance from the township's planning board, though council members and township land use officials said they are in the process of streamlining that process for those raising their homes so that they do not have to come in for a formal hearing and present testimony before the Board of Adjustment.

They would, however, have to pay $350 for their case to be reviewed.

Some residents had reservations about the process.

"You're telling us to take a leap of faith that this will be a streamlined process," said resident Ron Jampel. "We're hearing from the government, 'trust us.'"

Township Engineer Elissa Commins said the $350 figure was calculated by the time it would take for staff to review plans and an attorney to draw up a resolution that would have to be passed by the planning board – even though the applicant may not have to actually appear.

Jampel said he would like to have seen larger allowances for porches outside homes. But another resident, George Scott, said the ordinance could allow for homes to be too close together, as equipment like central air conditioning units could protrude out close to neighbors' windows.

Under the new flood zone requirements, heaters and air conditioning units must be elevated along with the house.

"I think that really could infringe on the other house," said Scott. "You'll have an air conditioner one foot from your bedroom window."

"It's something that can be given [re]consideration," said Commins, regarding the placement of mechanical units.

"It's a good starting point," said Councilwoman Susan Lydecker, referencing the ordinance. "I feel very confident in that."

"I would imagine within the next couple of months is when we're going to see a lot of these applications," said Cipriani.

"It is a first step, and it certainly is an ordinance that can be changed," she said.