4.7 SR 06-01-2020 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Sherburne County Multi -Hazard Mitigation Plan, 2020 Sherburne County adopted Countywide Zoning in 3-971. and Building Code in 1972 so structures built since then have been required to meet code, ensuring that they are better able to withstand severe weather and disaster events. In the last 20 years the Planning & Zoning Department has developed a very comprehensive permit review program that includes review of the FEMA Flood insurance maps and we always ensure that new structures meet the Floodplain rules. With heavy development pressures this has prevented allowing construction that would be at risk for flooding. In the last 5 years this program has only become better as we have gotten better aerial mapping and more accurate flood mapping. We had a comprehensive flood study done with maps approved in 2011. New residential and commercial development is required to meet MPCA stormwater standards and are required to obtain and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and the county requires a copy of this before approvals are granted. All the townships have drainage standards that meet or exceed the required rainfall events. Each project has to provide the county with a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) before the county grants approval through the platting process. The county keeps employees on staff that are qualified through training to review these plans. The County Board agreed to delaying the septic compliance requirements for permits with the Zoning Office being able to issue permits for damage repair with agreements with property owners that septic compliances would be done by June 1st. This enabled faster repairs. 3. In the past 5 years, has anything, especially related to zoning or development, changed that you feel has increased your community's vulnerability to future severe weather or disaster events? Sherburne County experienced high volumes of development in the 199o's and again picking up in the last 5 years. With increased populations there is a higher risk of damage, but we feel that with strict stormwater requirements the risk is reduced. Development that has occurred in Sherburne County's unincorporated areas in the last 25 years has had to meet a three-foot minimum separation from the highest known water table in an effort to prevent structure flooding in high volume rain events. This has also kept structure back from wetland areas that could also create onsite flooding. In Shoreland areas, the county has a 25% impervious surface rule per the State Rules, but there has been an increase of variances applied for and granted in the last 5 years. Staff urges the maintenance of this rule. 4. What concerns do you have / what mitigation actions do you think would help your community to reduce or eliminate risk against future severe weather or disaster events? We would like to upgrade the county outdoor warning system. We have started to contact vendors regarding siren types, and the best option for our county. Page I K - 3