Possible Points: 1,330 for the element.
Learn from the experiences of a community that was successful in earning credit for this CRS element! Check out the Success Story for Pierce County, WA.
Purpose of Element: The overall goal of element 432.a. Development Limitations (DL) is to reward communities for passing and enforcing regulations that limit development in the floodplain. This element has four sub-elements for which credit is granted, each of these 4 sub-elements grant credit for different types of restrictions on floodplain development.
- DL1a. provides up to 280 credit points for prohibiting developers and government agencies from placing fill in the floodplain. This applies to fill that would be placed for everything from a private residential development to the construction of public infrastructure like roads and bridges.
- DL1b. provides up to 195 points for requiring developers who use fill to provide storage which offsets the adverse impacts of fill in the floodplain.
- DL2. provides up 1,000 credit points for communities that prohibit the construction of all new buildings such as commercial buildings and residences in the floodplain, and do not allow Letters of Map Revision Based on Fill (LOMR-Fs), otherwise credit is limited to just 100 points. And,
- DL3. provides up to 50 credit points for communities that do not allow the outdoor storage of materials in the floodplain.
One important note regarding these sub elements is that credit can be earned for either sub-element DL1a. or DL1b., but not both. For more information on this element reference pages 430-6 - 430-11 in the CRS Coordinator’s Manual.
Impact Adjustment: Yes. The impact adjustment is calculated by taking the ratio of the land area impacted by the communities creditable DL regulations (excluding areas preserved as open space) relative to the area of the SFHA. In addition, some sub-elements of this element only apply to undeveloped areas. For more information see page 430-10 of the CRS Coordinator’s Manual.
Potential to Double Count Credit: Yes. Areas that are subject to development limitations may be eligible for credit under two elements of Activity 420, Open Space Preservation, element 422.f. Open Space Incentives and element 422.g. Low Density Zoning.
Degree of Difficulty - Documentation: Low. The only pieces of documentation that communities are required to assemble in order to take credit for this element are an impact adjustment map, copies of relevant ordinances, and proof that those ordinances are being enforced. For communities with access to a GIS professional, creating and assembling the required documentation should be fairly simple.
Degree of Difficulty - Implementation: Medium. Passing regulations which limit individuals’ ability to construct new buildings in the floodplain will require the buy-in of local-officials and stakeholders. These include members of: city council, county boards, planning commissions, the real-estate and development community, impacted residents and potentially neighborhood associations. Without their buy-in it is likely that the regulation will not garner enough support to be adopted.
Co-Benefits Associated with this Element: Preventing development or requiring the impacts of new development to be offset by the inclusion of flood storage can reduce loss of life and property by preventing or holding development in the floodplain to a higher regulatory standard. Furthermore, by preventing the storage of hazardous materials in the floodplain risk is reduced. In addition to the more obvious benefits associated with flood risk reduction, some development limitations credited under this element protect floodplain areas from future development. In doing this, protected areas of the floodplain are able to function as they would in nature.
Floodplains perform functions that support healthy ecosystems. In riverine areas, floodplains provide critical habitat for fish and wildlife, filter nutrients and other pollutants out of runoff, and replenish soil-nutrients when flooding occurs (Task Force on the Natural and Beneficial Functions of Floodplains, 2002). In coastal areas, floodplains protect inland development by reducing wave energy and provide critical habitat for estuarine and marine fisheries (Task Force on the Natural and Beneficial Functions of Floodplains, 2002). Floodplains are also vital recreational and cultural resources, which when preserved in their natural state can be used and enjoyed by the general public (Task Force on the Natural and Beneficial Functions of Floodplains, 2002). Development limitations help to ensure that areas that are currently undisturbed can remain in that condition for future generations.