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Commissioner raises lot-coverage, pools and "substantial improvement" questions; staff to follow up
Summary
Commissioner Wesley asked the commission to re-examine how lot coverage is calculated—highlighting that pools are treated as pervious while pool decks count as impervious—and questioned whether generators, batteries and solar installations should be included in substantial-improvement calculations under FEMA guidance.
Commissioner Wesley asked the commission to examine how the city determines lot coverage, arguing some rules appear inconsistent and could affect flood mitigation. On pools and decks he said, "Which seems just completely backwards," after staff explained the ordinance treats a pool body as pervious while the pool deck counts toward lot coverage. Christian Summers explained that the municipal ordinance treats pools as pervious and that earlier code changes considered decks and equipment differently.
Wesley also asked whether outdoor equipment such as generators should be counted toward "substantial improvement" when those items are not covered by flood insurance; Summers cited FEMA guidance and said "It was a new definition and a rereading of FEMA's P 2 13" and that some utilities serving a home (e.g., elevated air conditioners) may still require analysis. Commissioners agreed staff would research statutory and FEMA guidance and bring clarifying language back to a future meeting.
