bluffs along lake erie

Bluffs along Pennsylvania's Lake Erie Coast.

Establish Zoning and Erosion Overlay Districts

Case Studies:

Overview:

Local governments can pass zoning ordinances or create special erosion overlay districts, which are laid over existing land use regulations and ordinances, to limit development within erosion-prone areas. Based on the severity of the erosion threat, the overlay district could establish different quotas for how much and what type of development (high-rises vs. small single-family homes) can be established within these high-risk areas. Not only can overlay districts be used to limit development, but they can also be used to require greater set-back or buffer standards, prevent clearing of native vegetation within the buffer zone, or stipulate the type of shoreline stabilization method that would be allowable.

Benefits: Enables a more holistic regional/drift cell approach to shoreline management instead of a piecemeal, parcel by parcel approach. By identifying high-risk erosion areas where significant development and/or shoreline stabilization should not be allowed, zoning overlays can reduce the need for costly erosion control structures and can minimize property damage. Establishes clear guidelines when, where, and if, different types of stabilization techniques can be used. Targets more restrictive practices only to areas where they are needed.

Drawbacks: Need to have mechanism for local government to establish overlay districts. Requires good scientific data to effectively determine when and where different types of erosion control approaches should be used and where high-risk erosion areas are located. May get into "takings" issues if overlay districts limit the type or amount of development allowed in specific shoreline areas. Restricting the type of shoreline stabilization technique allowed may also be politically unpopular, especially where existing structures already exist.

Case Study:

Pennsylvania's Bluff Recession and Setback Act

The Pennsylvania Bluff Recession and Setback Act (BRSA) was passed in 1980 and prohibits any new development (residential or commercial) within designated bluff recession hazard areas along the Lake Erie coastline. To implement the Act, all lakefront municipalities with bluff recession hazard areas were required to adopt ordinances to establish bluff setbacks to ensure new development did not occur within these high hazard areas. In all, eight municipalities have designated bluff recession hazard areas and have enacted setback ordinances for these areas. To help municipalities meet the BRSA requirements, the Pennsylvania Coastal Management Program developed a model ordinance for the municipalities to follow. Coastal counties also provide financial and technical assistance to administer and enforce the BRSA at the local level.

 

 

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