Attachments:
City Projects Director Tye Chighizola provided a brief overview of a request for a
variance to reduce the base flood elevation from 83.1 feet to 78.1 feet for the property
located at 3713 SE 8th Street (Parcel # 27711-000-00); approximately .49 acres. During
a severe storm in June 2023, a tree fell on the house, causing significant damage and
injuring an occupant. The family had to temporarily move into Recreational Vehicles on
the property until the house was repaired or rebuilt. In October 2023, it was determined
that the house was beyond repair, and the homeowner, facing a challenging situation,
submitted plans to rebuild the house with a footprint of 63 feet wide by 49 feet deep.
City Engineer Director, Flood Plain Administrator Sean Lanier stated that
topographically it is difficult to work with flood ordinances on a half acre lot. If a
property is elevated five feet, the property owner would need to provide compensatory
storage.
Mr. Juergens asked if FEMA flood plains reports changes every 5-6 months. Mr. Lanier
replied no, they come through every so often. Mr. Lanier provided a brief history of the
A zone area and stated that the goal is to get everyone out of the flood hazard area. Mr.
Lanier mentioned that a long-term solution may include expanding the existing water
retention facilities and submitting a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) to remove the
properties from the floodplain.
Mr. Chighizola said the customer has a temporary C.O. (Certificate of Occupancy)
because of the circumstance process, but that is why there is a request for a variance.
Mr. Magamoll asked if the problem was the expedited permitting process. Mr.
Chighizola replied yes, it came through permitting as a rebuild and should have been
looked at when the new plans came into the department. Mr. Carrasco asked if the
applicant had to pay for permit fees. Mr. Chighizola replied the City covered the
permitting fees.
Michael W. Chuchian, 3726 SE 7th Street, Ocala, FL, said he lives in the neighborhood
and in 2010 he went through the same scenario and the variance was denied. The house
caught on fire and was demolished. Mr. Chuchian said the applicant is not required to
have flood insurance, but everyone else does. A owner/builder permit should not exceed
$75,000.00 and he has $200,000.00 in value. The house was 2,032 square feet and now it
is 3,108 square feet and all the fees were waived. Mr. Chuchian said he built his house
out of the flood zone because the City would not allow to build on that property, so he
brought 300 hundred loads of dirt and a stone wall to be able to build on his property.
Mr. Carrasco stated that the Board should move forward with the application and let the
