William C. Sullivan, Jr.
Partner
201-896-7215 wsullivan@sh-law.comAuthor: William C. Sullivan, Jr.|February 14, 2013
The new regulations also amended the Flood Hazard Area Control Act (“FHACA”) regulations in light of the devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy. In summary, these regulations accomplish the following:
As explained by the Governor’s Office, elevating buildings out of the “A” or “V” zones as depicted on these maps will save the average property owner tens of thousands of dollars in flood insurance premiums.
Although these maps are advisory from FEMA’s perspective and are to be finalized within the next year, they are being used by the State as the foundation for these new regulations. The maps can be viewed at www.region2coastal.com.
NJDEP did not amend the existing regulatory prohibition of multi-family residential development or the discouragement of commercial development in the “V zone.” The new maps include significant areas of new “V zone” in places as diverse as downtown Jersey City and Bay Head. This new linkage between the existing limit on development and the FEMA maps could affect waterfront redevelopment and downtown business recovery from Sandy, unless the regulation or the maps are modified. Property owners can petition FEMA informally, before the maps are final, to alter the V-zone boundary as to their property on the grounds that site-specific conditions would prevent a three-foot wave from striking their building; e.g. if there is another structure between the petitioner’s building and the water body. FEMA has acknowledged that they have not yet fully vetted the V-zone boundaries – it was one of the reasons why FEMA has not finalized the map adoption.
The emergency rules were effective on January 24, 2013 and will be published in the February 19, 2013 New Jersey Register. Nevertheless, because they are intended to be adopted as final regulations, a public hearing is scheduled for March 7, 2013 at the Council Chambers in Long Branch at 5:30 p.m and written comments will be due 30 days from publication in the Register.
These new regulations and maps could have a dramatic effect on rebuilding and other development in New Jersey. Property owners and municipalities should immediately review the maps and evaluate how to best protect their interests under these unprecedented circumstances.
Partner
201-896-7215 wsullivan@sh-law.comThe new regulations also amended the Flood Hazard Area Control Act (“FHACA”) regulations in light of the devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy. In summary, these regulations accomplish the following:
As explained by the Governor’s Office, elevating buildings out of the “A” or “V” zones as depicted on these maps will save the average property owner tens of thousands of dollars in flood insurance premiums.
Although these maps are advisory from FEMA’s perspective and are to be finalized within the next year, they are being used by the State as the foundation for these new regulations. The maps can be viewed at www.region2coastal.com.
NJDEP did not amend the existing regulatory prohibition of multi-family residential development or the discouragement of commercial development in the “V zone.” The new maps include significant areas of new “V zone” in places as diverse as downtown Jersey City and Bay Head. This new linkage between the existing limit on development and the FEMA maps could affect waterfront redevelopment and downtown business recovery from Sandy, unless the regulation or the maps are modified. Property owners can petition FEMA informally, before the maps are final, to alter the V-zone boundary as to their property on the grounds that site-specific conditions would prevent a three-foot wave from striking their building; e.g. if there is another structure between the petitioner’s building and the water body. FEMA has acknowledged that they have not yet fully vetted the V-zone boundaries – it was one of the reasons why FEMA has not finalized the map adoption.
The emergency rules were effective on January 24, 2013 and will be published in the February 19, 2013 New Jersey Register. Nevertheless, because they are intended to be adopted as final regulations, a public hearing is scheduled for March 7, 2013 at the Council Chambers in Long Branch at 5:30 p.m and written comments will be due 30 days from publication in the Register.
These new regulations and maps could have a dramatic effect on rebuilding and other development in New Jersey. Property owners and municipalities should immediately review the maps and evaluate how to best protect their interests under these unprecedented circumstances.
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