Board Council Holds Off Voting On Flood Plain Ordinance

AVALON — Council defeated an ordinance dealing with revisions to definitions and regulations pertaining to advisory base flood elevations and flood hazard protections during the regular meeting on Oct. 23.
“If you remember two weeks ago, we got into a lot of discussions about the flood plain ordinance and some discussion about this ordinance, and we had some conflicting definitions,” said Vice President Charles Covington. “There’s a serious enough difference between what we introduced and what the planning board provided us that we’re taking a second look.”
“Because of that we will not be passing this ordinance tonight,” explained Covington, while adding that a revised ordinance will be introduced during the Nov. 13 meeting. “There’s also a companion ordinance, which is the flood plain management ordinance, so there’s verbiage in both ordinances that have got to be in sync. We’ve got to make sure that they’re compatible.”
Earlier in the work session, council discussed the cost and scope of work involved with the upcoming Armacost Park National Resource, Restoration and Enhancement Project. Windward Environmental Solutions will provide project management consultation services on the project. The proposed feasibility study will cost $10,600 and involves approaching federal and state agencies to discuss and possibly revise the conceptual design plans for the park. Avalon Environmental Commission Chairman Dr. Brian Reynolds and Joe Lomax, of Lomax Consulting, will assist with the project.
Lomax said agencies at all levels of the state would be involved in the report, so an interagency meeting regarding technical guidance and regulatory considerations would be helpful. “They would be able to tell us immediately if we do X then we’re going to need these permits,” said Lomax. “So that helps in really fleshing out the feasibility.”
Finally, council passed a resolution confirming Mayor Martin L. Pagliughi’s appointment of alternate members to the Planning and Zoning Board. James Lutz and James Fleischmann will each begin a 13 month long term on Nov. 1.
“I know both gentlemen and I think they’re good choices,” said Covington.