1638ORDINANCE NO. 1638 (#12-2020)
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ,IMC § 15.04. TO PROVIDE MODIFICATION OF
THE CITY'S FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION PROGRAM; AMENDING JMC §
15.12.030 (RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION); AMENDING JMC § 15.12.040
(COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION); DECLARING AN EMERGENCY; AND, FOR
OTHER PURPOSES.
WHEREAS, the Arkansas State Legislature has, in ACA §14-258-101 et.seq.,
delegated responsibility to local governments for adoption of regulations to minimize flood
losses, and;
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the revised policies are more efficient and
better meet the needs and requirements of the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED AND ENACTED BY THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS, THAT:
SECTION ONE: JMC § 15.12.030 (Residential Construction) is hereby
approved to read as follows:
New construction or substantial improvements of any residential structure
shall have the lowest floor, including basement level, elevated a minimum of Two
Feet (2') above the base flood elevation of the area. A registered professional
engineer, architect, or land surveyor shall submit a certification to the City Engineer
that the provisions of this Section are satisfied in full.
SECTION TWO: JMC § 15.12.040 (Commercial Construction) is hereby
approved to include the following:
New construction or substantial improvements of any commercial, industrial,
or other non-residential structure(s) shall have the lowest floor, including basement
level, elevated to a minimum of Two Feet (2') above the base flood elevation or,
together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, be designed so that below base
flood level all portions of the structure are watertight with walls substantially
impermeable to passage of water and with structural components having the
capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic Loads and effects of buoyancy.
A registered professional engineer or architect shall develop and/or review structural
design, specifications, and plans for the construction as well as certify that the design
and methods of construction are in accordance with accepted industry standards and
are compliant with the provisions of this Code. A record of such certification, which
includes the specific elevation (in relation to mean sea level) to which such structures
are flood proofed, shall be maintained by the City Engineer's Office.
SECTION THREE:. Emergency Clause
It is hereby found and declared that severe flooding has occurred in the past within
the City's jurisdiction and will certainly occur within the future and that flooding may result
in infliction of serious personal injury or death and is likely to result in substantial injury or
destruction of property within the City and its jurisdiction. In order to effectively comply
with minimum standards for coverage under National Flood Insurance Program and in order
to effectively remedy the situation described herein, it is necessary that this Ordinance
become effective immediately.
Therefore, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, and this Ordinance, being
necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, shall be in
full force and effect from and after its passage and approval.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 20TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2020.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
i-....•,
BOB JOHNSON MAYOR
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM: A
SUSAN DATT, CITY CLERK
STEP FRIEDMAN, CITY ATTORNEY