Early Notice and Public Review of a Proposed Activity in a 100-Year/500- year Floodplain and Wetland - 18450 Residences Drives in Shenandoah

SHENANDOAH, TX -- All interested Federal, State, and Local Agencies Groups and Individuals

This is to give notice that the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) under 24 CFR part 50 has determined that the following proposed action under Section 221(d)(4) of the National Housing Act (FHA# 114-35857) is located in the floodplain as determined by HUD’s Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) and wetland, and HUD will be identifying and evaluating practicable alternatives to locating the action in the FFRMS floodplain and wetland and the potential impacts on the FFRMS floodplain and wetland from the proposed action, as required by Executive Orders 11988 and 11990, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Protection of Wetlands.

The 6.27-acre subject property located at 18450 Residences Drives in Shenandoah, Texas currently consists of undeveloped grassy land, with a pad-mounted transformer, other utility features, sub-surface stormwater drainage features, and a small section of concrete in the northwest corner. The multifamily community to be known as Residences at Metropark is planned to consist of two (2) four-story buildings to house a total of 307 apartment units and would include a ground-floor commercial tenant space. The proposed structures would share a five-story parking garage, located between the two residential buildings. Each building would also contain courtyard area exterior congregating spaces. The buildings would be surrounded by landscaping and limited surface parking. A total of 0.1449 acres of FFRMS floodplain, including 0.1244 acres of 100-year floodplain, occur on the subject property. The area of floodplain on the property has limited functional value in capturing stormwater and attenuating pollutants due to its small area on the property. Although FEMA maps most of the site as occurring in the 100-year floodplain, fill material was previously added to the existing site to raise the elevation above the 100-year floodplain and the Borrower has filed a current request for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMR-F) with FEMA to reflect the changes to existing topography and petition that areas of the site above the Base Flood Elevation for the 0.1% chance storm event be removed.

The subject property would utilize the 13.79-acre open water pond wetland on the east adjoining property for stormwater management. A total of 0.05 acres of FFFRMS would be filled with 75 CY of fill material to raise the parking lot elevation. No impacts would occur within the 100-year floodplain. The offsite open water wetland to the east primarily functions to retain stormwater and filter sediment and pollutants.

There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in floodplains and wetlands and those who have an interest in the protection of the natural environment should be given an opportunity to express their concerns and provide information about these areas. Commenters are encouraged to offer alternative sites outside of the floodplains and wetlands, alternative methods to serve the same project purpose, and methods to minimize and mitigate impacts. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about floodplains and wetlands can facilitate and enhance Federal efforts to reduce the risks and impacts associated with the occupancy and modification of these special areas. Third, as a matter of fairness, when the Federal government determines it will participate in actions taking place in floodplains and wetlands, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.

Written comments must be received by HUD at the following address on or before March 4, 2025: HUD Multifamily Southwest Region, 400 State Avenue, Suite 200, Kansas City, KS 66101-2406; and phone 913-551-5821; Attention: Kristina Stine, Construction Analyst. A full description of the project may also be reviewed from 8am to 5pm at the same address as above. Comments may also be submitted via email at Kristina.M.Stine@hud.gov.