Southampton Village officials have presented the first law aimed at amending the village zoning code to restrict the heights of elevated homes in Federal Emergency Management Agency flood zones.
The changes would apply to homes required to be elevated because they are in flood zones, and would specifically apply to front and side yard setbacks. The changes are rooted in the angles in which a person standing at the edge of the property would be able to see the top of the proposed house. Under the new code, homes would not be able to exceed a 33-degree angle from the new elevated FEMA-determined ground level.
The proposed law also sets guidelines for the sizes of roof features that do not contribute to living space, and states that although a home is abiding by those requirements, it cannot exceed the maximum height limitations set by other parts of the zoning code.
A public hearing on the proposed changes will take place Thursday, August 13, at 6 p.m. at Village Hall.
Village Attorney Richard DePetris said that it is important for the village to approve the law next month, as a moratorium on new home construction that was imposed while the code changes were being considered expires August 15.
“We need to move forward with something, so hopefully we can have something in place by our August 13 meeting,” Mr. DePetris said.
Alyssa Melillo on Jul 10, 2015