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City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
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| | | | | | | | | | Item 14.
COMMITTEE MEMORANDUM | | | |
| | | | | | | | TO: Land Use and Sustainability Committee
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| FROM: Alina T. Hudak, City Manager
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| DATE: March 4, 2022
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| | | | | | | | | TITLE: | DISCUSS THE RAISING OF PRIVATE HOMES |
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| | | | | | | | HISTORY:
| | On January 20, 2022, at the request of Commissioner Mark Samuelian, the City Commission referred the subject discussion item to the Land Use and Sustainability Committee (C4 AA). The sponsor has indicated that some residents have expressed interest in raising their homes to address flooding and sea level rise, as well as a lack of awareness and understanding of relevant City rules. |
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| | | | | | | | ANALYSIS:
| As part of this referral, the sponsor has requested that the following be discussed:
• Examples of where property owners have been able to receive federal funding from FEMA under certain circumstances for raising / elevating homes.
• Relevant City rules (City Code / FBC / FEMA)
• Opportunities to secure federal/ state funding.
Additionally, FEMA Guidelines pertaining to this subject are attached.
As it pertains to property owners receiving federal funding for raising / elevating homes, there is no record of any Miami Beach homeowner who has been successful in receiving a federal grant for home elevation.
The following is a summary of the applicable sections of the Florida Building Code (FBC) that would apply to the elevation and relocation of a home:
Section 609 Retrofitting
609.1 Scope
Retrofitting of buildings, as defined in Chapter 2, includes work of a voluntary nature for the purposes of improving the ability of the building or building elements or building components to better serve the purpose for which they were originally intended or the purpose that current building codes intend. Retrofit work shall not include repair work as defined in Chapter 2 and described in Chapter 4.
[A] REPAIR. The reconstruction or renewal of any part of an existing building for the purpose of its maintenance or to correct damage.
RETROFIT. The voluntary process of strengthening or improving buildings or structures, or individual components of buildings or structures, for the purpose of making existing conditions better serve the purpose for which they were originally intended or the purpose that current building codes intend.
Section 1302 Requirements
1302.0
Residential buildings or structures moved into or within a county or municipality shall not be required to be brought into compliance with the state minimum building code in force at the time the building or structure is moved, provided:
1. The building or structure is structurally sound and in occupiable condition for its intended use;
2. The occupancy use classification for the building or structure is not changed as a result of the move;
3. The building is not substantially remodeled;
4. Current fire code requirements for ingress and egress are met;
5. Electrical, gas and plumbing systems meet the code in force at the time of construction and are operational and safe for reconnection; and
6. Foundation plans are sealed by a professional engineer or architect licensed to practice in this state, if required by the Florida Building Code, Building for all residential buildings or structures of the same occupancy class.
7. Moving of buildings shall be in accordance with the Florida Building Code, Building.
[BS] 1302.3 Wind Loads
Buildings shall comply with Florida Building Code, Building.
Exceptions:
1. Detached one- and two-family dwellings and Group U occupancies where wind loads at the new location are not higher than those at the previous location.
2. Structural elements whose stress is not increased by more than 10 percent.
In addition to the above, all mechanical, electrical and plumbing equipment would need to be elevated. Finally, in order to elevate a structure, the FBC requires that the new foundations and structure be designed to current code and that existing structure, when undergoing a substantial structural improvement (over 30%) be brought into compliance with wind requirements of the current building code.
FEMA also requires that any substantial improvement to a property be elevated to a minimum of base flood +1 foot and all new residential construction must also comply. The FEMA flood maps have changed, but those maps have not been finalized and are still in the 90-day appeal process.
Regarding future funding opportunities for private homes to be raised, the City’s grants administration Division continually looks for funding opportunities related to sea level rise and climate change. Another potential funding opportunity is the FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Grant, which can be used for home elevation. The following is a summary of this grant program:
OVERVIEW:
The FMA Program is a competitive grant program that provides funding to states, local communities, federally recognized tribes and territories. Funds can be used for projects that reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings insured by the National Flood Insurance Program.
• FEMA chooses recipients based on the applicant’s ranking of the project and the eligibility and cost-effectiveness of the project.
• FEMA requires state, local, tribal and territorial governments to develop and adopt hazard mitigation plans as a condition for receiving certain types of non-emergency disaster assistance, including funding for hazard mitigation assistance projects. For more information, go to the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Guidance.
REQUIREMENTS:
• The State applies for FMA funding; a City of Miami Beach application would go to the Florida Division of Emergency Management, Mitigation Division.
• The City, as a sub-applicant, would submit all eligible properties as part of one application.
• If awarded, the City would be in charge of administering funds—FEMA will not provide funds directly to property owner—and the City would be in charge of seeking reimbursement.
• Cost sharing is required and is generally 75% federal/25% non-federal.
• FEMA may contribute up to 100% of the federal cost share for severe repetitive loss properties and 90% for repetitive loss properties.
• Projects should be cost-effective as demonstrated by a benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 1.0 or higher using a FEMA approved BCA methodology
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| | | | | | | | CONCLUSION:
| | The Administration recommends that the Land Use and Sustainability Committee discuss the item and provide any applicable recommendations to the City Commission. |
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| | | | | | | | | Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item, pursuant to City Code Section 2-14? | | Does this item utilize G.O. Bond Funds? | | | Yes | | No | |
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