Council questions 'adding levels' rule as flood changes may affect housing affordability
Councilors pressed staff on how the revised 'substantial improvement' rule — which can trigger elevation when a homeowner adds a level — could block smaller homeowners from adding space. Staff said FEMA policy and insurance implications justify the threshold.
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Councilor Susan (speaker 5) raised affordability concerns during the Dec. 2 hearing on PA 24‑01, asking whether the amendment’s test for substantial improvement would prevent homeowners who cannot afford full elevation from adding a second story. “They can't afford they don't wanna build out because they know it's gonna trigger having to elevate the home to base flood elevation,” she said.
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