Matthew Simons

Background

About Matthew Simons

Project/Program Manager for the Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) flood risk reduction project for the City of Norfolk's Office of Resilience; nonfederal sponsor. The Norfolk CSRM is a 10-year+ program with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Norfolk District). Matt provides technical and policy guidance for CSRM funding, design and construction; integrating structural (floodwalls, levees, etc), and nonstructural (raising homes, floodproofing, etc.), and Natural and Nature-Based Features (NNBFs), producing resilient layers of defense for Norfolk, VA (world leader in #CoastalResilence). Served as the City’s Principal Floodplain Planner, Floodplain Administrator and Community Rating System (CRS) Coordinator; a division of the National Flood Insurance Program. Norfolk is a CRS (Class 5) community; provides flood insurance premium discounts (25%) to Norfolk’s citizens and businesses. Working to achieve Class 3 (35% discount). Coordinates with Grants and emergency managers to process Hazard Mitigation Assistance grants to assist homeowners with home elevation projects and other flood hazard mitigation projects. Presents directly to various public and private Boards and Commissions, including the City Planning Commission, City Council, Coastal Management Review Board, and various civic and business organizations at requested. AICP Certified Planner - American Planning Association Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM)- Association of State Flood Plan Managers Virginia Floodplain Managers Association - Board Member (2021-2023) Prior responsibilities include processing Current Planning requests: Change of Zoning, Conditional Use Permits Requests for Zoning Text Amendments Requests for Zoning Variances/Appeals Residential and Commercial Site Plan Review