The proposed ordinance amendment seeks to update the City's Floodplain Administration Ordinance by adding new Community Rating System (CRS) Class 8 prerequisites announced by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) last year for communities to obtain and/or retain Class 8 or better CRS rating. The Florida Department of Emergency Management, State Floodplain Management Office has recommended several changes to the City's ordinance as follows:

(1) to allow for accessory structures used for parking and storage to be permitted below BFE only when meeting certain conditions as outlined in the proposed ordinance, and 

(2)  to require all new, replacement, and substantially improved manufactured homes to be elevated at least BFE + 1 foot.

The CRS is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management practices that exceed the minimum requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).  In CRS communities, flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from the community's efforts that address the three goals of the program: 1) reduce and avoid flood damage to insurable properties, 2) strengthen and enforce the insurance aspects of the National Flood Insurance Program, and 3) foster comprehensive floodplain management.

The City of Crystal River is a CRS Class 7 community.  The City is scheduled for a CRS cycle visit in 2021.  The proposed ordinance amendment will assist the City in maintaining its Class 7 rating or better.