PRESENTER: Presenter
Jeff Jewell, Economic and Community Development Director
Body
SUBJECT: Title
Presentation and discussion on a proposed project expenditure to fund the Dry Comal Creek Remapping Project, an effort to support business development and expansion.
Header
DEPARTMENT: Economic and Community Development
Body
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 1, 4 & 5
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Dry Comal Creek is a major waterway through New Braunfels and a major source of flooding. It was last modeled and mapped in 2003 (in city limits) and 2005 (upstream of city limits). With projects, development and changes in hydrology in the watershed, the models and mapped floodplains are outdated. This hinders both development in the city as well as floodplain management because flood risk along the creek is uncertain. In addition, it is challenging to implement flood improvement projects along any of the tributaries to the creek because the tailwater effects of the Dry Comal Creek are unclear.
The purpose of this project is to update the FEMA effective floodplain mapping along Dry Comal Creek and a portion of Upper Dry Comal Creek, from the confluence of Dry Comal Creek and Guadalupe River to the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) Site Number 2 Reservoir:
A proposed expenditure of $200,000 would update the flood models and likely lead to floodplain map revisions. There is a chance (though not guaranteed) the study could formally document mitigated flood risk in and around the Dry Comal Creek, leading to lower insurance rates and an increase in developable property. The request originated out of the pre-development issues arising from the development of an office park adjacent to the existing floodplain maps of the Dry Comal Creek.
ISSUE:
A study to reevaluate floodplain limits along the Dry Comal Creek.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
☒Economic Mobility ☐Enhanced Connectivity ☐Community Identity
☐Organizational Excellence ☒Community Well-Being ☐N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
Up to $200,000
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff is requesting direction on the proposed expenditure to study the floodplain.