2015 Spring Newsletter Updated - Laserfiche WebLink

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Spring 2015 6 As we head into winter, staff wants to remind everyone portions of Louisville are prone to flooding, including areas along Coal Creek, near drain- age facilities, irrigation ditches, and some City streets. Louisville participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The NFIP makes federally backed flood insurance available for all buildings, whether they are in a designated floodplain or not. Flood insurance covers direct losses caused by surface flooding, due to either a creek overflowing its banks or a local drainage event. Regular homeowner’s insurance does not cover damage caused by floods. If your property is in a flood- plain, there is a 26% chance of a flood occurring during a 30 year mortgage. You can find out if your property is located in a floodplain by calling the Planning Division at 303.335.4592. Any property is eligible for flood in- surance, regardless if it is in a floodplain. Louisville residents are eligible for a discount on insurance premi- ums. Renters should also buy flood insurance for their contents. For more information on flooding and flood insurance, go to www.floodsmart.gov. The City has worked hard to reduce the threat of and damage from flooding by recognizing that floodplains have natural and beneficial functions if they are pre- served and maintained properly. If you are in the flood- plain or have experienced frequent flooding, or drainage issues, City staff is available to conduct site visits to suggest possible improvements. Please call 303.335.4608 to arrange a site visit. Keeping floodplains open and natural minimizes flood damage by allowing water to spread over a larger area. Any construction on a property in a floodplain must have a floodplain development permit, including minor residential improvements such as a deck. If the improvements you make to your home or commercial building exceed more than 50% of the value of the building, it must be elevated above the base flood eleva- tion as part of the construction. Homeowners, realtors, lenders, and insurance agents can obtain photocopies of floodplain maps and Eleva- tion Certificates at the Planning Division. Additional information can be obtained from the Federal Emergen- cy Management Agency website, www.fema.gov/hazard/ flood/info. flood inSurance maPPing and regulationS a friendly reminder to keeP your SidewalkS clear We like to remind homeowners, both as a cour- tesy and for the safety of those using the side- walk, that you are REQUIRED to keep your sidewalks clear to allow walkers, runners, and children complete access to the sidewalk. This requirement includes all of the following: Shovel your walk in a timely manner after a snow storm. City code requires that your sidewalks be cleared of snow and ice within 24 hours after it stops snowing. You don't have to shovel in the middle of a blizzard, but be sure to get it done soon after it stops snowing. If you plan to be out of town in the winter, it is helpful to have a neighbor or friend on call to clear your walk in your absence. Clear any low hanging branches or other garden materials that have grown into the sidewalk. Pedestrians should be able to walk without trees and shrubs forc- ing them to walk in the street or to duck under branches. Additionally, if you live at an intersection, please be sure to clear any trees that block the sight line of cars turning the corner. Trash cans and recycling containers should NOT be on the sidewalk for pick up; instead, place them in the street at the curb, away from driveways and mailboxes. We appreciate everyone’s help in making our side- walks both safer and easier to use. Thank you. Creating a Lush LandsCape - 4 seasons of Beauty thursday, apriL 23, 6 - 8 pM reCreation Center, 900 West Via appia Join the Center for Resource Conservation for this water-wise landscape seminar from design- er Curtis Manning. No registration required, questions, call 303.999.3820 ext. 222.