Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 4 as proposed by the Planning Board for the Hampton Zoning Ordinance as follows?
Amend Article II – Districts. Floodplain Management Ordinance Section 2.4.9 Structure Requirements- #1 Elevation Requirements to allow a property owner to elevate their structure an additional 1 or 2 feet beyond the required 1 foot above base flood elevation. Also, to adjust the maximum height requirement provided in Article IV – Dimensional Requirements (Section 4.4) to less than or equal to the selected amount above base flood elevation. The maximum height shall not exceed a total of 3 feet.
What it means: If a property owner wishes to raise a structure an additional 1 or 2 feet above the required base flood elevation, this Article will allow them up to 2 feet above the maximum height restriction – without seeking a variance for that height difference. A height variance would not be required if the added height of the structure is no more than 3 feet.
Those in favor say: Homes in the Floodplain area need the additional height to be able to protect their properties and reduce the cost of flood insurance. This Article will allow them to raise their homes for up to 2 additional feet without getting a variance. This will enable people to make structures already in the Wetlands Conservation District more resilient.
Those against say:One person spoke against this warrant article, and is opposed to any construction of any type in the Wetlands Conservation District, even to elevate existing structures. (ITKH Note: Whether this Article passes or fails will not affect the ability to construct or renovate a home in the Wetlands Conservation District.)
Fiscal impact: No tax impact.