Resolution 533-2000
Commissioner Murray Nelson
RESOLUTION NO. 533 -2000
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, OPPOSING DEMOLITION OF "DOWNSTAIRS
ENCLOSURES" AND INVITING RENEWED DISCUSSIONS WITH FEMA
CONCERNING ITS POLICY
WHEREAS, the recently-elected County Commissioners received strong electoral
support from Monroe County voters, on platforms challenging the policy of mandatory
removal of below base flood elevation primary residential structures ("downstairs
enclosures"); and
WHEREAS, the BOCC, by Resolution No. 346-1999, found that:
. FEMA's new inspection procedure "will certainly result in the elimination of
hundreds of residential units now existing below BFE" (Base Flood Elevation).
. "Many below BFE residential units are occupied as affordable housing, a
commodity which is already undersupplied."
. "The loss of numerous affordable housing units through enforcement of flood
plain management policies will cause great hardship to many working families in
Monroe County and will create adverse economic consequences by exacerbating
existing labor shortages."
. "The NFIP objective of preventing avoidable catastrophic property damage is
difficult to reconcile with enforcement measures which will result in destruction
of hundreds of dwelling units."; and
WHEREAS, after adoption of Resolution No. 346-1999, representatives of Monroe
County were cordially received, together with members of the Ocean Reef Community,
by FEMA Director lames Lee Witt, and were assured that alternatives to demolition of
downstairs enclosures, particularly the flood proofing of residences, would be
evaluated; and
WHEREAS, the entire Board of County Commissioners desires to work with FEMA
to solve our common problems; and
WHEREAS, the great majority of federal flood relief expense is incurred in
response to flood events on rivers and tributaries, not sea coasts; and
WHEREAS, downstairs enclosures not sited in V zones are unlikely to sustain
wave impacts sufficient to threaten the integrity of the main building; and
WHEREAS, federal flood relief was recently provided to the City of Sweetwater,
Florida in which several hundred homes were flooded, notwithstanding their lack of
flood insurance; and
WHEREAS, according to Monroe County Growth Management estimates, as many
as 4000 downstairs enclosures may face demolition as a result of FEMA's inspection
procedure, unless an alternative to demolition is identified and approved; and
WHEREAS, commercial property owners are now allowed to obtain flood
insurance if they flood-proof their downstairs enclosures, but residential property
owners are denied this remedy; and
WHEREAS, a FEMA response to Resolution No. 346-1999, and to the questions
raised in Monroe County's meeting with Director Witt, is long awaited; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE
COUNTY, FLORIDA, that:
Section 1. Monroe County respectfully requests a meeting with FEMA in order
to review the NFIP policies concerning floodproofing and other alternatives to removal
of downstairs enclosures, as well as of NFIP underwriting policies applicable to flood
insurance for Florida Keys residential properties.
Section 2. The Clerk will send copies of this Resolution to Monroe County's
federal and state legislative delegation, to Governor Jeb Bush and to FEMA Director
James Lee Witt.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,
Florida, at a regular meeting of said Board held on the 13th day of December, 2000.
Mayor George Neugent
Mayor Pro Tem Nora Williams
issioner Murray Nelson
sioner Dixie Spehar
. oner Charles McCoy
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Deputy Clerk
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BOARD Of COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
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.KOLHAGE, Clerk
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