ATTENTION:
OPEN HOUSE for the Rock County Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps and Flood Insurance Study
OPEN HOUSE for the Rock County Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps and Flood Insurance Study
Do you know your local flood risk? Local and County officials are hosting a Flood Risk Open House to provide citizens in Rock County with an opportunity to learn more about the newly updated floodplain maps, known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). Both Rock County and community officials, as well as FEMA representatives will be on hand to answer citizens’ questions about the updated maps, the mapping process, flood risk, and flood insurance.
The Open House is schedules for Thursday, December 1st at the Rock County courthouse. Attend the event any time between the hours of 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Residents are encouraged to bring their flood insurance policy and/or elevation certificates to the Open House in order to get the most accurate information regarding how the new flood maps will affect them. Residents will be able to locate their property on the updates maps and view the changes as compared to the current FIRM. Once residents view this information, they can talk to members of the flood hazard mapping team, flood insurance specialists, and local, county, and state officials about the maps, the process, and flood insurance.
Flooding is a major natural disaster in Minnesota. It is vital to property owners to understand their risk and take advantage of tools and programs available to them, including flood insurance, to help reduce flooding impacts. The new maps in Rock County are an update of the existing FIRM, which dates back over 30 years in some places. The FIRM and the associated Flood Insurance Study (FIS) provide the basis for communicating and identifying risks and for floodplain management measures. Rock County is required to adopt updated maps to continue participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which makes flood insurance available to the community.
As a result of the map updates, some buildings in Rock County may, for the first time, be included in a high-risk flood zone, known as the Special Flood Hazard Area, or SFHA. This may result in those affected property owners being required to purchase flood insurance.
The Open House is schedules for Thursday, December 1st at the Rock County courthouse. Attend the event any time between the hours of 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Residents are encouraged to bring their flood insurance policy and/or elevation certificates to the Open House in order to get the most accurate information regarding how the new flood maps will affect them. Residents will be able to locate their property on the updates maps and view the changes as compared to the current FIRM. Once residents view this information, they can talk to members of the flood hazard mapping team, flood insurance specialists, and local, county, and state officials about the maps, the process, and flood insurance.
Flooding is a major natural disaster in Minnesota. It is vital to property owners to understand their risk and take advantage of tools and programs available to them, including flood insurance, to help reduce flooding impacts. The new maps in Rock County are an update of the existing FIRM, which dates back over 30 years in some places. The FIRM and the associated Flood Insurance Study (FIS) provide the basis for communicating and identifying risks and for floodplain management measures. Rock County is required to adopt updated maps to continue participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which makes flood insurance available to the community.
As a result of the map updates, some buildings in Rock County may, for the first time, be included in a high-risk flood zone, known as the Special Flood Hazard Area, or SFHA. This may result in those affected property owners being required to purchase flood insurance.
Land Use (Building) Permit:
A Land Use Permit is required for:
1) Any new structure or accessory structure. Such structures include but are not limited to: house, garage, storage sheds, decks (enclosed or with a roof), signs, grain bins, grain legs and barns.
2) Moving a structure from one location to another.
A Land Use Permit is not required for:
1) A deck that is not enclosed and does not have a roof.
2) New siding, windows, shingles and interior remodeling. Outside dimensions of the structure are not altered.
Setbacks:
1) Township road: 65' from the centerline of the road.
2) County road or state highway: 130' from the centerline of the road.
3) Side and backyard setbacks for property zoned A-2 General Ag: 15 side yard; 30 backyard
4) Side and backyard setbacks for property zoned A-1 Restricted Ag: 30 side yard; 30 back yard
1) Any new structure or accessory structure. Such structures include but are not limited to: house, garage, storage sheds, decks (enclosed or with a roof), signs, grain bins, grain legs and barns.
2) Moving a structure from one location to another.
A Land Use Permit is not required for:
1) A deck that is not enclosed and does not have a roof.
2) New siding, windows, shingles and interior remodeling. Outside dimensions of the structure are not altered.
Setbacks:
1) Township road: 65' from the centerline of the road.
2) County road or state highway: 130' from the centerline of the road.
3) Side and backyard setbacks for property zoned A-2 General Ag: 15 side yard; 30 backyard
4) Side and backyard setbacks for property zoned A-1 Restricted Ag: 30 side yard; 30 back yard
Variance:
Occasionally a piece of land can not be developed under the current zoning ordinances. Perhaps the lot is an unusual shape or is situated in such a way that a building can not be erected within the zoning ordinance. In order to develop the land, the owner must ask for a zoning variance, which is a one time exemption to the current zoning laws.
While anyone can apply for a variance on his/her land, simply asking for a variance doesn't mean that it will be automatically granted. However, variances are usually granted when a property owner can demonstrate an undue hardship that was not of his own doing and that the variance will not negatively impact neighboring properties.
A variance application is subject to a public hearing to be held by Planning and Zoning Board of Adjustments. Upon receipt of the application and associated fees the Zoning Administrator shall serve notice of time, place and purpose of the public hearing to be given by publication in the official county newspaper at least ten (10) days before the hearing. Written notice shall be sent to all affected property owners within the required setbacks. Notice shall also be given to the affected township supervisor. The Board of Adjustments shall place any conditions or restrictions upon the permit at it deems necessary to protect the public interest. The Board of Adjustments, upon a majority vote, has the authority to grant or deny the variance.
For more information on the public hearing process or assistance in applying for a variance, please contact our office.
While anyone can apply for a variance on his/her land, simply asking for a variance doesn't mean that it will be automatically granted. However, variances are usually granted when a property owner can demonstrate an undue hardship that was not of his own doing and that the variance will not negatively impact neighboring properties.
A variance application is subject to a public hearing to be held by Planning and Zoning Board of Adjustments. Upon receipt of the application and associated fees the Zoning Administrator shall serve notice of time, place and purpose of the public hearing to be given by publication in the official county newspaper at least ten (10) days before the hearing. Written notice shall be sent to all affected property owners within the required setbacks. Notice shall also be given to the affected township supervisor. The Board of Adjustments shall place any conditions or restrictions upon the permit at it deems necessary to protect the public interest. The Board of Adjustments, upon a majority vote, has the authority to grant or deny the variance.
For more information on the public hearing process or assistance in applying for a variance, please contact our office.
Conditional Use Permit:
A conditional use is a use or activity that may be allowed in a zoning district only upon showing that such use or activity can or will comply with all criteria and standards as outlined in the zoning ordinance. Such activities may include gravel pit operations, feedlot expansions, towers, salvage yards and small businesses such as nurseries or dog kennels.
A conditional use application is subject to a public hearing to be held by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Upon receipt of the application and associated fees the Zoning Administrator shall serve notice of time, place and purpose of the public hearing shall be given by publication in the official county newspaper at least ten (10) days before the hearing. Written notice shall be sent to all affected property owners within the required setbacks. Notice shall also be given to the affected township supervisor. The Planning and Zoning Commission shall report its findings and recommendations, including conditions or restrictions to be placed upon the permit, to the County Board of Commissioners. The County Board of Commissioners shall hold whatever public hearings it deems advisable and shall make a decision upon the proposal to grant or deny a Conditional Use Permit.
For more information on the public hearing process or assistance in applying for a Conditional Use Permit, please contact our office.
A conditional use application is subject to a public hearing to be held by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Upon receipt of the application and associated fees the Zoning Administrator shall serve notice of time, place and purpose of the public hearing shall be given by publication in the official county newspaper at least ten (10) days before the hearing. Written notice shall be sent to all affected property owners within the required setbacks. Notice shall also be given to the affected township supervisor. The Planning and Zoning Commission shall report its findings and recommendations, including conditions or restrictions to be placed upon the permit, to the County Board of Commissioners. The County Board of Commissioners shall hold whatever public hearings it deems advisable and shall make a decision upon the proposal to grant or deny a Conditional Use Permit.
For more information on the public hearing process or assistance in applying for a Conditional Use Permit, please contact our office.
Zoning Amendment:
A Zoning Amendment is a request, by the property owner, to have the zoning district for a designated property re-zoned. A zoning amendment is subject to a public hearing to be held by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Upon receipt of the application and associated fees the Zoning Administrator shall serve notice of time, place and purpose of the public hearing shall be given by publication in the official county newspaper at least ten (10) days before the hearing. Written notice shall be sent to all affected property owners within the required setbacks. Notice shall also be given to the affected township supervisor. Recommendation will be made by the Planning and Zoning Commission to the County Board of Commissioners. The County Board of Commissioners may hold a public hearing as it deems advisable and adopt the amendment or any part thereof. The amendment shall be affective only if four/fifths (4/5) of all the members of the Board of Commissioners concur in its passage.
