FLOOD PLAINS - DUP E FLOOD PLAINS
ubdiyi si on. The division of a lot tract or Farce? of l?r.. r}?
-� _
7 0t -} Sz tpfi o„ div, 3'^n� of !and i_n si,zch ? ?"?aYl'.'_e� as t0
vri �-n fo— � 0�,,,pn} f0,, �na4+ !��Y":O,ip •;phat:inr 1,-'�!G' 'atF'
1 �Ijs r%r f'"L I.LU', Of:in n r�r �7�i1 ai �r r ra'*ea� O?�T-Sa?s1 ~ ^h_o �.enrr?� ";ubIJ_vi_43ionIt
;^ rnI -.�tirq to -f-0 i~'7„aS�p� rf .�aLi V' C?lj?cr O" i O already sur..
.�i Zr� r�G+� .•1 r-.9'•i ar. Y`('.)`.^•� ��6 �O 1ti.rs ...n.,-•'F f�_i
"Yl.`;' so--cal ea a.,tO.,,o}�; n };-^^;l are -n7b.'_�e 1tOrr'?S Or
C017ch ?r�c11) ��,n7 a,-nst 1�0'"t Witr- cture, r."•-'7n' -7 of C�f_nveyan^e
r„' 1re 2 r'Z e sC �'1''" ' -�nr? �}�^ +COT?^t �".'^.�'.d., altere' l or r''J:'t'??'tr'd n any
n, ,. r a s to -permit occit...anc•, th:,,-_ ,�of for dw,..7.ly _ or sleepin _ nurpo'aes.
aracre. Anv bu;l�lirrr, '•711erei_'. i4 kept or stored one Or more
r-rotor vehicles including among o tners a public or 7r vate garage,
motor vehicle repair soon or paint shop, service Station, lubritorium,
or any building used for sim- filar purposes.
Vebicle. Anything in or on :•r'aich a person or thin] is or_- may be
carrip(l or anu moving cri?nnort Or cn-+t- nrar f'nr 'TIn rlrm rR?`r,,1P+a obtill-_ , objects.
Rest home, nursing hone or convalescent homer An establishment
for the recuDera.tion or treatment of invalid or convalescent ' nersons,
Off-street narking space, space of one hiLn- dyed forty-four
louare feet or more within a structure or in the open for the
narking of a t-notor vehi--Ie or an-,,., land ovrned.r rented or leased for
S-ac 1 nurposes .
Flood. A temnora_zTy rise in stream flow that results in dater
toppin; its banks and inundatin..- areas adjacent to the channel or
fl oo.d nlai.n,
Flood Plain. The -land adjacent to a body of water which has beer,
or may be hereafter covered by flood water,
Floodway. The channel of a stream and those portions of the
flood plain adjoining the channel that are required to carry and
discharge the flood water or flood flows of any river or. stream.
Flood Fringe. The area of t?he flood plai.'i outside of the
floodway ;here water may- stand briefly at the height of a flood, but
does not move with significant citrrent.
Ordinary High .!ater P1ark. T- e highest point on the bank of a
floodway or flood plain at uhich the water level has been for a.
suffici ant nerl orb of time to leave a definite mark.
Stora-,e Capanity o.f a. Flood P1ai.n. The volume of space above an
CP
area of flood plain that can be occupied by flood '.later of a gi cn
Stage at ? given ti e,regardless of w'_rlether the teeter is moving.
Buoyemt Material. A ma eri al Lrhi ch diSnla ces an amount of water
e-M tl to its ;riei giit; capable of floating.
Parr, 71 ,
Substantial improvemen s !n the flood plain means I-ny r2oa—ny
roc(}rs—''.?"�..�^"t`i on, or lm?rpvet? imt of a stt_uct'.re, the cost of L.''_qj '.h eruals
0-- t'. c :jr.�'`zr� � + h assessed value of he structure
tt tv/nnt:7 c :�t of the 4. e t st.�z.� tu_
fel.th.., r �:1 7 bef'orn' the .;mrn.rr)v?'? n-rit i:; s"L;'-?.7't,r el, or -t'�r�
has be-n? r',am-,!70 6 an , is [.`ram:, rP_sto,_.p- 11-fore the r?amage �
. .- --- occurr._d.
YP r' �n al -•�" e.m 's -1 'r tto n -t- d 7 c a1.tP,_'? 4' _n
...... ,--at n'� _, .. 1:� .r� �:�'c n .b ir.st ..t.zon oE
q - 4 ctu ? 1 7? ?.'^1 eJ �thZe bn l 7iy17 f 0"�'?eTln?>.
20-1�. '?i sty"r , ' adont�,on c_ buiId -t; T one�ma;�.
For t':'!t -purrose of this chz,?ter, the tovm shall be divided
into ten classes Of districts as .follows:
Residence A-1 Districts,
Residence A--2 Districts.
Residence A-3 Districts,
Residence A-4 Districts.
i Cv . i: j, $_S_ -1_ Rt tV .
Agriculture Distrusts.
Business A Districts.
Business B. Districts,
Industrial Distracts A.
Industrial Districts B.
The bo�wndaries of each district are hereby established as-
shovm .on the building zone map entitled Zone ?'saps Toim
o_r a ca:aam, I'Iassachusetts, Agawam P2?mni ng Bo rd, Scale 9 inch '
7rmuals 400 feet" which is hereby declared to be a part of this charter.
Such shall be hereinafter referred to as the building zone MaD.
Page
71
a,
r 4
acre dirt area and h,ving not less than one hundred fifty feel frontage
on a street. -
1`o t 7o:r:' t'i=.'.n are Ar:re5istered motor vehicle shall be- allowed on
any parcel of l W noel i a g soli e 01107 station; provi ?ed
'.lowei-er, Viat az)y `lif'1 yaso1-ine filling station having an automobile
Oiler ' s er ' s permit chill be governed by the nrovisi ons of such :?ermit.
RTALF A. P,a7p`i ati on of the Flood Plain.
Sec. 20-62, Purposes.
The Flood Plain 'Zone and the regulations herein have been
established for the 'following puoposes:
mo. protect and preserve the water courses and their adjoining
flood plain; to reduce the hazards of floods upon the public health,
safety and general welfare; to protect flood plain occupants from a
flood that is or may be caused by their own land use and that is or ,
may be i-ndertL ken without full realization of the dangprs therein;
to protect the public from the burden of extraordinary *inIncial
e�mend7 Lures for flood control and relief; to protect the capacity
of the .flood plain; to absorb, transmit and store run-off; to -
assure retention of sufficient floodway area to convey flows which
can reasonably by expected to occur.
Sec. 20-63. Location of .Flood Plain, µ
All land delineated on map entitled ''To%::n of Agawam Mass.'
Flood Insurance and Flood Hazard. i,'an" being part of the Flood Plain
Submission to HUD dated December 22, 1971 , shall be included in the
.Flood Plain Zone. These areas are described in general terms as that
land adjacent to the Westfield and Connecticut Rivers which lie at
or below the level of the elevation of the 100 year flood as
determined by the Federal Insurance Administrator. The flood plain
zone shall be considered to be superimposed over the other zones
shown on the zoning map, as a recognition of the special hazards
which exist it such areas.
Sec. 20-64. Permitted Uses.
In those portions of the -Town so designated in paragraph 20-63
'the folloVing uses of land shall be permitted:
64.1 Conservation of yater, plants and wild .life.
64.2 Legally permitted outdoor -recreation not requiring development
or landscape alteration in conflict with the purpose of this zone.
Page 99.
64.3 Grazing, forestro other farms or agricult"onsistent with
the purposes of the zone.
64.4 Dwellings lawfully existing prior to the adoption of these
provisions , however , no building permits for substantial
alteraticns or ext6nsions sbali be granted unless a Special
Permit is granted by the Board of Appeals.
64.5 Proper operation and maintenance of dams and other water con-
trol devices.
64.6 The following uses if determined to be consistent with the pur-
poses of this zone, said determination to be made by the Board
Of Appeals following petition of the Landowner or owners:
a. Developed recreation facilities.
b. Utility lines and facilities.
C. Dams and other water control facilities if in aA'
authorized plan by public agency or if built to
create porius iut. recreational or agricultural use.
d. Minor buildings incidental to permitted flood con-
trol , recreation, agricultural, etc. uses, and not
exceeding 200 square feet in ground coverage, or
large structures if constructed as to not obstruct
natural hydrological features.
e. in the flood fringe the development of structures •
for residence use only if the lowest floor (in- '
cluding basement) is elevated to or above- the
level of the 100 year -flood, the structures for
nor.-residence use shall have the lowest floor
including basement elevation to or above the
level of the 100 year flood or the structure to- .
gether with the attending utility and sanitary fa-
cilities is flood-proofed up to the level of the
100 year flood.
Sec :'20-b5 Prohibited Uses
in those portions of the Town so specified in Section 20-63 as
Flood Plain, ,-the following uses of land shall be prohibited:
65.1 Erection, construction or other creation or installation of
any building, dam or other structure.
65.2 The bulk storage of bouyant , flammable, explosive or toxic
materials. ,
65.3 The addition, removal , or transfer of such quantities of
material, including trees, shrubs, and ground cover, that
would reduce the water storage capacity of the flood plain,
obstruct the flow of flood waters in a' floodway, or other-
wise adversely affect the nati:ral hydrology of the area.
Page 100.
.`65.4 The digging or d ng of a well intended as rce of.
domestic crater.
65.5 The installation of septic tank or leaching fields.
Sec. 20 -66 Board of ADDea s - Special Permits
66.1 if any land in th;, Flood Plain D.strict is found by the Board
of Appeals not in fact to be. subject to seasonal or periodic
flooding or unsuitable because of drainage conditions , and if
the proposed action, is consistent with the purpose of thie By-
law, Vie Board- of Appeals ray grant , after a public hearing
with due notice, a special permit for the use of such land and
for the construction and erection of a building or structure
for any purpose permitted- in the underlying district subject
to reasonable conditions and safeguards.
66.2 The application for a special permit shall include a plan pre-
paged and certified by a professional engineer or land 'sur-
veyor, registered in the commonwealth of Massacnusetts. This
plan will show all proposed and existing buildings, structures,
roads, waystdrainage facilities, .and landscape features (in-
cluding wetlands, trees, and the like) - and other engineering
and hydrological data the Board finds necessary. The plan will
show all existing and proposed finished ground contours at two
foot intervals.
66.3 The application for a Special Permit shall also include an -en= ---
vironmeatal' impact- statement'-prepa.red' by-an environmentally
qualified registered professional engineer. This statement will
describe the impact upon the physical environment of the pro-
posed ,use.
66.4 . The Board of Appeals may waive the requirements of paragraph .3
if it determines that the probable impact upon the physical en-
vironment of the proposed use is io be minimal and that envi-
ronmental impact statement is not necessary to its considera-
tion of-the. application.
66.5. The applicant shall provide the Board with an original -and
sevenz,copies of the request and of any plan and/or environ-
mental impact statement required under paragraphs .2 and. '.-3
above: The Board of Appeals shall within seven days forward
one- copy- of- each to the Building Inspector, Planning Board,
Board of Health ,. and Conservation Commission. These agencies ,
may file written recommendations with the Board of Appeals
within •thirty days of receipt of notification. the Board of
Appeals shall not grant approval of an application for a She--
vial Permit until these recommendations have been received or
until expiration of the said thirty day period.
Page 101 _.
66. 6 The Board of App "may issue a permit under ORSection if
it finder that:
The proposed use o.` the premises will not endanger the
health and safety of the occupants of land within the
flood plain or the public , or it may issue a permit
with such conditions as it deems necessary to protect
health and safety of the occupants and the public or
provide proper flood control or protection , or it may
deny the application. The burden of showing that the _
proposed development will not endanger health and safe-
ty and that it will be an appropriate use of the land
shall rest upon the developer , who shall provide such
additional engineering and hydrological data as the
Board of Appeals deems necessary. The Board shall, as
a condition of approval, require that effective notice
be giver to prospective purchasers or existing land-
owners by signs , notation on plans and permits, or
otherwise, of past flooding of said premises , and the
steps undertaken by the petitioner or his successor
i» +i +1 tr% a l I ebtvj t` th^ `f fArta n.F t}.4 ,a=—
66.7 Without limiting the denerality of the foregoing, the Board
shall insure:
a. That new construction or substantial improvements of
residential structures within the flood plain zone _
will -have the lowest floor (including basement ) 'ele-
vated to or above the level of the 100 year flood. -
b. That new construction or substantial improvements of
non -residential structures in«ended for human occupan-
cy or employment, excluding open-walled shelters for
temporary use by outdoor recreationists, within the
flood plain zone will have the .lowest float (includ-
ing- baserient) elevated to or above the level of the
100 year flood or, together with attendant utility
and- sah tary facilities, be flood-proofed up to the
level of- the 100 year flood.
c. That new or replacement -water supply systems and/or
sanitary- sewerage systems to be located in -the flood
:.Plain:.zone•:.shall be•�designed -t6-%faidimize or'eliminate•-
infiltration of flood waters into the systems and
discharges from the systems into flood waters, and
on-site'*waste disposal systems shall be located so as
to- avoid impairment of them or contamination from
them during flooding.
d. That no-.use or structure shall be located in the
designated floodway which would raise the level of -
the 100 year flood more than, 1 foot at any point.
No fill- or encroachments within the designated
floodway shall be- permitted- that would irapair its
ability to carry and discharge the waters result-
ing from the 100 year flood, except where the ef-
fect on flood heights is fully offset by strea:a ,
improvements.
Page 102
sec. 20-67 General SAWtians
67.1 A subdivision , filed with the Planning Board under Chapter 41
of the General Laws .of Massachusetts, shall meet the Rules -and
Regulations of the of
Board as they apply to Floott Plain
management . The subdivision as approved by the Planning Board
may be considered a single application when submitted to the
Board of Appeals ender this ordinance. (The action of the
Punning Board shall in no way limit the Board of Appeals in
their decision and setting of conditions. )
67.2 Nothing contained in this ordinance shall limit the authority
of the Board of Health with respect to premises in the Flood-
Plain zone or "affect the applicability of the building code
to any building in the Flood plain zone.
67.3 A building permit issued by the Building . Inspector before the
effective date of this ordinance shall be deemed to be a per-
mit hereunder.
67.4 Any plans or applications submitted to any Board, Agent, or
n.4.Uori 4y o the Town which concerns land within the Flood
Plain -shall- be noted: "This proposal is for land which lies in
the Flood--Plain and meets the reguirement,s of the Flood Plain
Ordinance."
67.5 Any existing nonconforming uses or structures in the desig-
nated floodway shall not be substantially expanded but may
be modified, altered, repaired, or reconstructed, subject to
regulations pertaining to nonconforming uses, to incorporate
floodoroofing Measures, provided such measures or such nodi-
fication, alteration , repair , or reconstruction do not raise
the level of the 100 ,year flood at any point.
67.6 No new construction, alteration, or extension of structures
for human occupancy as permitted under Section 20-66 shall
be allowed"beyond the foundation stage, until the elevation
o; the' lovrest floor (including basement) has been checked and
certified -in writing to the Building Inspector as being the
elevation as stated on the approved plans or higher. All
final grades or any change in topography shall be checked and
certified" in writing as being according to the approved plans.
Inspection and certification shall be made by a registered
professional engineer or land surveyor. All costs incurred
under this section shall be borne by the applicant.
Page 103
0 d.
0! L
Subdivision. The division of a lot, tract or parcel of land into
two or more lots, sites or divisions of land G such a manner as to
nequire provision -for a .street for the purpose, whether immediate
or future, of sale or building development. ThQ ' , ord ;subdivision"
in relating to the tr?ves:se^ of Mlividing or to land already sub-
'ivi ded .,rt.;en appropriate to the content,
T701er, Any so-called antonobile trailer, mobile homes or
trailer coach inciu'?.iQ any :portable structure, means of conveyance
or vehicle so Qvi ned or constructed, altered or converted in any
manner as to permit occupancy thereof for dwelling or sleeping purposes,
Garage. Any building, i!;herein is kept or stored one or more
motor vehicles including among others a -public or private garage,
motor vehicle repair shop or paint shop, service station., lubritorium,
. or any building used for LL similar purposes.
Vehicle. Anything in or on which .a person or thing .is or may be
carried or any moving support. or container for the conveyance of
bulky objects.
Rest home, nursing home or convalescent home. An establishment
for the recuperation or treatment of invalid or convalescent persons.
Off-street parking space. A space of one hundred forty-four
square feet or more within a structure or in the open for the
parking of a motor vehicle or any land orn.ed, rented or leased .for
such purposes.
Flood. A temporary rise in stream flow that results .in water
topping its banks and inundating areas adjacent to the channel or
flood plain,
Flood Plain. The land adjacent to a body of water which has ,been
or may be hereafter covered by flood -rater,
Floodway. The channel of a stream and those portions of the
; .� flood plain adjoining the channel that are required to carry and
discharge the flood water or flood flows of any river or stream.
Flood Fringe. The area of the .flood plain outside of the
''floodway where water may stand briefly at the height of a flood, but
does not move with significant current.
Ordinary High Water Mark. The highest point on the bank of a
floodway or flood plain at which the water level has been for a
sufficient period of time to leave a definite mark.
Q, Storage Capacity of a Flood Plain. The volume of space above an
area of flood plain that can be occupied by flood water of a given
tage at a given time,regardless of whether the neater is moving.
Buoyant Material. A material which displaces an amount of water
equal to its weight; capable of floating.
►-4 page 71 . _
�t CL "17 / D
Substantial Improvement. In the flood plain means any repair,
reconstruction, or improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals
or exceeds tvin tv-five -percent of the assessed value of the structure
either '(a) before tale lm.provcmQnt is started, or (b) i f' thr structure
has bee-n fl.a p e (Ina,- 0CC1 ' ' , r urred.
Sgbs,tantiai imnrovement is darted v.,hon the first alteration of any
structural_ past of the bails ing con-mences.
Sec. 20-? P.i t-;i cts; adontion of build in;zone_-gars
For the -6urpo^e of this chapter, the toirn shall be divided
into ten classes of districts as follows:
Residence A-1 Districts,
Residence A--2 Districts,
Residence A-3 Districts.
Residence _n-4 Districts.
Residence B. Districts.
Agriculture Districts.
Business A Districts.
Business B. Districts.
Industrial Districts A.
Industrial Districts B.
The bo,.ndaries of each district are hereby established as _
shoi.rn on the building zone map entitled '=Building Zone Map, Toirn
of Agawam, Massachusetts, Agawam Planning Board, Scale 1 inch
s,nua.ls 400 feet" which is hereby declared to be a part of this chapter.
Such shall be hereinafter referred to as the building zone man.
Page -71 a.
acre in area and having not less than one hundred fifty feet frontage
on a street.
Not More than one unregistered motor vehicle shall be allowed on
any parcel of lani used as a gasoline filling station; provided,
however. , that any .such 7a3oline filling station having; an automobile
dealer' s permit shall be governed by the provisions of such hermit.
ARTICLE XI . Regilat.ion of the Flood .Plain.
Sec. 20-62, Purposes.
The Flood Plain Zone and the regulations herein have been
established .for the following purposes:
To protect and preserve the water courses and their adjoining'
flood plain; to reduce the hazards of floods upon the public health,
. safety and general welfare; to protect flood plain occupants from a
flood that is or may be caused by their o%%m land use and .that is or
may be undertaken without full realization of the dangers therein;
to protect the _public from the burden of extraordinary financial
e.:_penditures for flood control and relief; to. -protect the capacity
of the _flood plain; to- absorb, transmit and store run-off; to
assure retention of sufficient .floodway area to convey flows which
can reasonably by exvected to -occur.
Sec. 20-63. Location of Flood Plain,
All Land delineated on man entitled "Town of. Agawam Mass. -"
Flood Insurance and Flood Hazard Map" being part of the Flood Plain
Submission to HUD dated December 22, 1971 , shall be included in the
Flood Plain Zone. These areas are described in general terms as that
land adjacent to the Westfield and Connecticut Rivers which lie at
or below the level of the elevation of the 100 year flood as
determined by the Federal Insurance Administrator, The flood plain
zone shall. be considered to be superimposed over the other zones
shotirn on the zoning map, as a recognition of the special hazards
which exist ixi such areas,
Sec. 20-64. Permitted Uses.
In those -portions of the Town so designated in paragraph 20-63 ;
:the following uses of land shall be permitted:
s 64. 1 Conservdtion -of water, plants and wild life.
64.2 Legally permitted outdoor recreation not requiring development
or landscape .alteration in conflict with the purpose of this , zone.
Page 99. .'
` 64.3 Grazing , forestry and other farms or agriculture consistent with
the purposes of the zone.
64.4 Dwellings lawfully existing prior to the adoption of these
provisions; however , no building permits for substantial
alterations or extensions shall be granted unless a Special
Permit is granted by the Board 'of Appeals.
64.5 Proper operation and maintenance of dams and other water con-
trol devices.
64.6 The following uses if determined to be consistent with the pur-
poses of this zone, said determination to be made by the Board
of Appeals following petition of the Landowner or owners:
a. Developed recreation facilities.
b. Utility lines and facilities.
C. Dams and other water control facilities if in an
authorized plan by public agency or if built to
create ponds for recreational or agricultural use.
d. Minor buildings incidental to permitted flood con-
trol, recreation, agricultural, etc. uses, and .not
exceeding 200 square feet in ground coverage, or
large structures if constructed as to not obstruct
natural hydrological features.
e.,- Tn -th'e flood fringe the development of structures
for residence use only if the lowest floor (in-
cluding basement) is elevated to or above the
level of the 100 year flood, the structures for
non-residence use shall have the lowest floor
including basement elevation to or above the
level of the 100 year flood or the structure to-
gether with the attending utility and sanitary fa-
cilities is .flood-proofed up to the level of the
100 year flood.
sec:-7.20-65 Prohibited Uses
"in those- portions of the Town so specified in section 20-63 as
Flood Plain, the following uses of- land shall be prohibited:
65.1 Brection; •construction or other creation or installation of
4 ••
any building, dam or other structure.
65.2 The bulk storage of bouyant , flammable, explosive or toxic
materials.
65.3 The addition, removal, or transfer of such quantities of
material, including trees, shrubs, and ground cover, that
would reduce -the water storage capacity of the flood plain,
obstruct the flow of flood waters in a fioodway, or other-
wise adversely affect the natural hydrology of the area.
Page 100.
N
-.`65.4 - The digging or drilling of a well intended as a source of
domestic water. .
65.5 The installation of septic tank or leaching fields.
Sec. 20-66 Board of Ap eals - Special permits
66'.1 if any land in the Flood Plain district is found by the Board
of Appeals not in fact to be subject to seasonal or periodic
flooding or unsuitable because of drainage conditions , and if
the proposed action is consistent with the purpose of thie By-
law, the Board of Appeals may grant, after a public hearing
with due notice, .a special permit for the use of such land and
for the construction and erection of a building or structure
for any purpose permitted in the underlying district subject
to reasonable conditions and safeguards.
66.2 The application for a special permit shall include a plan pre-
pared and certified by a professional engineer for .land sur-
veyor , registered in the. commonwealth of Massacnas etts. This
plan will show all proposed and existing buildings, structures,
roads , ways drainage facilities, and landscape features (in-
cluding wetlands, trees-, and the like) and other engineering
and hydrological data the Board finds necessary. The plan will
show all existing and proposed finished ground contours at two
foot intervals.
66.3 The application for a Special Permit shall also include an .en• _
vironmental; impact• statement" prepared`by'an. eniri'ronmentally
qualified registered professional engineer. This statement will
describe the impact upon the physical environment of the pro-
posed use.
66.4 The Board of Appeals may waive the requirements of paragraph .3
if it determines that the probable impact upon the physical en-
vironment of the proposed use is to be minimal and, that envi
ronmental impact statement is not necessary to its considera-
tion of-the application.
66.5. The applicant shall provide the Board with an original and
seven-copies of the request and of any plan and/or environ
mental' impact statementrequired under paragraphs - .2 and. '-3
above. The Board of Appeals shall, within seven days forward
one copy- of- each to the Building Inspector, Planning Board,
Board of Health, and Conservation Commission. These agencies - g'
may file written recommendations with the Board of Appeals
within -thirty days of -receipt of notification. The Board of
Appeals shall not grant approval of an application for a Spe
vial Permit until these recommendations have been received or
untiI-.expiration of the said thirty day period. ;.
.Page 101
.-66.6 The Board of Appeals may . issue a permit under this Section if
it finds that:
The proposed use of the premises will not endanger the
health and safety of the occupants of land within the
. flood plain or the- public, or- it nay issue a permit
with such conditions as it deems necessary to protect
health and safety of the occupants and the public or
provide proper .flood control or protection, or it may
deny the application. The burden of showing that the
'proposed development will not endanger health and safe-
ty and that it will .be an appropriate use of the land
shall -rest upon the developer , who shall provide such
additional engineering and hydrological data as the
Board of Appeals deems necessary. The Board shall , as
a condition of approval, require that effective notice
be given to prospective purchasers or existing land-
owners by signs , notation on plans and permits, or
otherwise, of past flooding of said premises, and the
steps undertaken by the petitioner or his successor
in title to alleviate the effects of the same.
66.7 Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Board
shall insure;
a. That ,new construction or substantial improvements of
residential structures within the flood plain zone
wily have the lowest floor (including basement ) ele-
vated- to or above the level of the 100 year flood. - -
b. That new construction or substantial improvements of
non-residential structures intended for human occupan-
cy or employment, excluding open-walled shelters for
temporary use by outdoor recreationists, within the
flood plain zone will have the lowest floor (includ-
ing-.baserzent) elevated to or above the level of the
100-year flood or, together with attendant utility
and'sanitary facilities, be flood-proofed up to the
level of the 100 year flood.
C. That new or replacement water supply systems and/or
sanitary• •sewerage systems to be 'located in the flood
••.Plai3n.;,zonb xshall be-,,designed -to-aminimize or-'eliminate--
infiltration of flood waters into the systems and
discharges from the systems into flood waters, and
on-site•,waste disposal systems shall be located so as
to avoid impairment of them or contamination from
them during flooding. r..
d. That no -use or structure shall be located in the
designated floodway which would .raise the level of ,-
the 100 year flood more than l 'foot at any point.
No fill- or encroachments within the designated
floodway shall be-permitted- that would impair its
ability to carry and discharge the waters result-
ing from the 100 year flood, except where the ef-
fect on flood heights is fully offset by stream
improvements.
Page 102
..Sec. 20-67 Genera? 5tleulations
67.1 A subdivision , filed with the Planning Board under Chapter 41
of the-General Laws of Massachusetts , shall rreet the Rules-and`.
Regulations of the Planning Board as they apply to Flood Plain
management. The subdivision as approved by the Planning Board
may be considered a single application when submitted to the
Board of Appeals under this ordinance. (The action of the
Planning Board shall in no way limit the Board of Appeals in
their decision and setting of conditions. )
67•.2 Nothing contained in this ordinance shall limit the authority
of the Board of Health with respect to premises in the Flood,
Plain zone or affect the applicability of the building code
to any building in the Flood Plain zone.
67.3 A building- permit issued by the Building Inspector before the
effective date of this ordinance shall be deemed to be a per-
mit hereunder. '
67.4 Any plans or applications submitted to any Board, Agent, or
Authority of the Town which concerns land within the Flood
Plain-,shall- be noted: "This proposal is for land which lies in
the Flood-Plain and meets the requirements of the Flood Plain
Ordinance."-
67.5 Any existing nonconforming uses or structures in the desig-
nated floodway shall not be substantially expanded but may
be modified,, altered, repaired, or reconstructed, subject to
regulations pertaining to nonconforming uses, to incorporate
floodproofing measures , provided such measures or such modi-
fication-, alteration, repair , or reconstruction do not raise
the level of the 100 year flood- at any point.
67.6 No new- construction, alteration, or extension of structures
for human occupancy as permitted under Section 20-66 shall
be allowed-beyond the foundation stage, until the elevation
of the lowest floor (including basement) has been checked and
certified-'in writing to the Building Inspector as being the
elevation as.•stated on the approved plans or higher. All
final grades or any change in topography shall be checked and
;r certified inkwriting as being according to the approved plans.
Inspection and certification shall 'be made by a registered
professional" engineer or land surveyor. All costs incurred
sunder this section .shall be borne by the applicant.
Page 103 _
.,i
FAG 12)
� TOWN OF AGAWAM
•
��,, -��.. - • .36 MAIN STREET AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS 01001
Tel. 4I3-786-0400
June 6, 1974
Mr. Edward Caba Council, Clerk
Agawam,'Mass.. .
�. Re: Flood Plain Ordinance #1037
Dear Mr. Caba: .'
In compliance with the extension of time granted by the Council in`
memorandum dated April 19, 1974, the Bla.rming Board herewith submits . '
• their final reco=endation for an Ordinance to control development .
of the flood plain.
_ Very truly yours'.
AGAWAM PLANNING BOARD
C/1
• cc Mr. Westman
. r
.,Y�� +1 �!i ii li YillL In - •+.+_ r-r-=•_�� -' "' "— _�
Ad O
DZFINITICNIS
Flood a temporar-
y rise in stream flow that results in water
topping its banks and inundating areas adiacent to the
... channel or flood plain.
Fula d Plain -. the land ad jacent to a body .of water which has been -
or may be hereafter covered by flood water.
Floodway - the channel of a stream and those portions of the flood
- _ plain adjoining the channel that are required to carry and
'. discharge the flood water or flood flows of any river or
stream. :.. . .. ... . ... _ . . - .-
Flood Fringe -- the area of the flood plain outside of the .floodway
where water may stand briefly at the height of a flood, but
- - does not_move with significant current.
Ordinary High Water Mark _ the highest point on the bank of a floodway
or flood plain at which the water level has been for a .suffi- _
_ cient period oft e' to eave a.definite mark. -
Storage Canacitj of a Flood Plain - the volume of space above an area
of-flood plain land that can be occupied by flood water of a '
given stage at a given time, regardless of whether the water
is moving.