Proposed Flood Hazard changes - An opinion

By Steve Cook

April 4, 2019 11:25 a.m.

As you probably know, the City of Fernandina Beach is considering changes to the ordinance governing flood hazards. (Ordinance 2018-18) The ostensive reason for this is to theoretically allow for some savings on flood insurance. The amount of these savings is under debate, but what is not in question is that there are serious additional dollars, extra effort, and additional complexity that these changes would bring.

Sometimes in our efforts to move forward, we create more complexity and costs. As an Architect and General Contractor, what I have always believed is that we need to simplify our laws, provide clarity, and enforce evenly what already exists!

FEMA encourages local communities to modify the original boiler-plate ordinance to fit local conditions. The attempt to modify this ordinance was well intended, but developed by a severely understaffed building department with the help from a $30,000 contract to a FEMA Bureaucratic consultant.

When this was brought up to the Commission, it turned out that these changes had not been vetted with our local citizens, building owners, architects, realtors or even the local industries. The Commission wisely postponed the adoption of this ordinance and is currently seeking input from our community.

There are potential significant costs to the community if this ordinance is adopted as presented. Review this ordinance and let your voices be heard.

To email city commissioners, click here.

To review City schedules of informational sessions on flood hazards, insurance, and building responsibly, click here.

Editor's Note: Steve Cook is a retired Architect and Licenced General Contractor who recently moved to Fernandina Beach. Previous to retiring, he handled planning, design and construction as a VP for the 8th largest non -profit Retirement Community Organization in the US, working in over 21 communities in Florida.