Council to Consider Revised Elevation Guidelines Tonight

City Council has a full agenda for its public meeting 7 p.m. tonight (Feb. 28) at the Ocean City Free Public Library.

But details on one proposed ordinance were released on Wednesday.

Council will consider amendments to zoning ordinances that address building heights and elevations. The ordinance is especially relevant in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy as homeowners repair damage and consider elevating their homes.

The full text of the proposed ordinance is attached to this story as a PDF, but here is the summary of the changes provided by the city:

Ordinance #13-07
Summary
2013 Residential Mechanical

Section 1 –

Permits buildings with nonconforming setbacks to elevate to BFE/ZFE without variance approval

Section 2 –

Redefines Attic as non-habitable space

BFE is revised to include ABFE and other maps as may be adopted

Redefines Nonhabitable Building Area to include: Porches, Decks, balconies, Attic, unfinished area below BFE, Carport, Garage, Crawlspace, stairwell, elevator, Storage Room

Clarifies that residential Building Height is measured from ZFE

Removes Carport from being calculated as a Story

Redefines Floor Area Ratio to exclude Crawl Spaces

Specifies that Garage with 8’ ceiling is non-habitable space

 “V Zone” exception removed from Zoning Flood Elevation

Story term/definition will be deleted if determined that this control is no longer needed

Section 3 –

Permits HVAC equipment in the Riviera to be elevated to BFE

Section 4 –

Permits HVAC equipment in the Bayou to be elevated to BFE

Section 5 –

As a Design Incentive, removes 6’ height limitation and permits steps and landings within 6” of property line

Section 6 –

As a front yard Encroachment, removes 6’ height limitation and permits steps and landings, and terraced walkways within 6” of property line

As a permitted rear yard Encroachment, permits steps and landings to Lowest Floor without height limitation

As a permitted side yard Encroachment, permits HVAC equipment to be elevated to BFE

As a permitted corner lot side yard Encroachment, permits terraced walkways

Section 7 -

FAR is applied to the Habitable Building Area only 

2/27/13