Early Notice and Public Review of a Proposed Activity in a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard Designated Floodplain and Wetland 

Early Notice and Public Review of a Proposed Activity in a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard Designated Floodplain and Wetland To: All interested Agencies including all Federal, State, and Local, Groups and Individuals This is to give notice that HUD under 24 CFR Part 50 has determined that the following proposed action under the HUD MAP 221 (d)(4) Program, FHA #054-35950, is located in the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) floodplain and contains wetlands, and HUD will be identifying and evaluating practicable alternatives to locating the action within the floodplain and wetlands, and the potential impacts on the floodplain and wetlands from the proposed action, as required by Executive Order 11988, as amended by Executive Order 13690 and Executive Order 11990, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 in Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Protection of Wetlands. This notice fulfills Step 2 (Early Public Notice) of HUD's 8-Step decision-making process under 24 CFR 55.20. The proposed undertaking, to be known as Towne Park Apartment Homes, is located at US 25 and Bracken Road in Piedmont, Greenville County, South Carolina 29673 (subject property). The FHA collateral is located on Greenville County Tax Map No. 0407000101100 at Latitude, 34.749773 and Longitude, 82.393194 and consists of approximately 21.287 acres of undeveloped wooded land. A cemetery is located on the northwestern portion of the subject property. In addition, an intermittent tributary of Grove Creek and associated wetland areas transect the central portion of the subject property from east to west. HUD is considering providing financial assistance for the project under the HUD MAP 221(d)(4) Program, consisting of the new construction of nine (9) three-story multi-family apartment structures containing 216 residential dwelling units. The development will also include a clubhouse building, six (6) standalone garage buildings, a pool, a dog park, and playground area. It should additionally be noted that the eastern and southern adjacent tracts of land associated with off-collateral ingress/egress, grading, and utility connections, and the western adjacent tract of land associated with an off-collateral sewer extension and grading activities, are located within the proposed undertaking's boundaries, due to HUD's aggregation requirements. According to FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) #45045C-0394E and #45045C-0457E, both dated January 18, 2019, and as confirmed by Greenville County's GIS System and Floodplain Administration Department (864-467-7523) the FHA collateral is located in Unshaded Zone X, designated as an area outside the 100-year and 500-year floodplain. An off-collateral area associated with proposed grading activities and a sewer line extension is located in Shaded Zone X, designated as an area within the 500-year floodplain, Zone AE, designated as an area within the 100-year floodplain, and the regulatory floodway associated with Grove Creek. According to the FEMA Flood Map Service Center accessed at https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home, there are no preliminary or pending FIRMs for the subject property. With the 500-year floodplain mapped and defined by FEMA, that is the extent of the FFRMS floodplain under the 0.2% Annual Chance Flood Approach (0.2PFA). Grove Creek is located approximately 1,237 feet northwest of the FHA collateral and does not extend onto the FHA collateral. However, according to the Overall Utility Plan and Overall Offsite Plan prepared by Kimley Horn dated December 10, 2025, an extension of sanitary sewer line in support of the HUD project is proposed to the west of the FHA collateral and extends into the 100-year and 500-year floodplain and regulatory floodway associated with Grove Creek. The proposed undertaking involves impacts to the identified FFRMS floodplain areas, consisting of allowed utility lines (sanitary sewer line extension) within the regulatory floodway in accordance with 24 CFR 55.8(a)(1)(ii)(A). Approximately 0.31 total acres of the FFRMS floodplain will be impacted by the proposed sanitary sewer line extension. According to the Comprehensive Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (C-SWPPP) prepared by Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. dated September 6, 2024, in order to meet local and state stormwater requirements, the development is proposing to utilize a network of underground detention systems. The site will utilize two (2) underground Advanced Drainage System (ADS) detention systems to treat and detain stormwater runoff. The underground systems aid to reduce the net limits of disturbance needed and maintain appropriate buffers from on-site wetland features. One (1) stormwater control structure will be placed on either side of the stream that bisects the site to maintain existing drainage patterns and flows as required by Greenville County. The proposed stormwater conveyance network has been designed to convey the 10-year, 24-hour storm events. FFRMS floodplain areas impacted by the construction of the sanitary sewer line will be returned to their original condition, following construction. Kimley Horn completed an Aquatic Resources Delineation of the subject property, including the off-collateral areas, in May 2024. According to a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Delineation Concurrence (SAC-2023-01212) letter dated August 5, 2024, a perennial stream (S1), a 0.19-acre wetland (Wetland 1), and a 0.1-acre open water feature (OW1) are located on the FHA collateral. Additional perennial streams and a 0.67-acre wetland (Wetland 2) were delineated off-site. Per a letter prepared by Kimley-Horn, dated February 11, 2025, and the Overall Site Plan dated December 10, 2025, no wetland impacts will occur on the FHA collateral; however, off-collateral wetland impacts will occur due to the installation of the sanitary sewer line. Wetlands provide the functions of water storage and flora/fauna habitat. A Threatened and Endangered Species Habitat Review and Biological Assessment was completed for the proposed undertaking. The wetland vegetation community in Wetland 1 on the FHA collateral is dominated by red maple, sweetgum, tag alder, netted chainfern, and Japanese honeysuckle. Wetland 1 is a depressional wetland along a stream. Based upon the sampled area data, it appears the soils are at least saturated for a long enough duration during the growing season to establish hydric soil conditions and wetland vegetation communities. In order to protect and preserve the on-site wetland, Wetland 1 will be protected within a buffer zone during construction activities and is proposed to remain undisturbed on the subject property. The proposed project has received a USACE Nationwide Permit 29 for Residential Developments for temporary impacts to 0.16 acres of wetlands for installation of the sanitary sewer extension. It should additionally be noted that as part of the permit, the project was authorized for 0.006 acres of temporary impacts to construct a temporary stream crossing for construction equipment, and 0.014 acres of permanent impacts to other waters for the construction of a retaining wall. The project has been issued a Section 401 Water Quality Certification (WQC) from the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES). Under compliance, a WQC General Permit reasonably assures that the project will not cause or contribute to a significant impairment of waters or fish and wildlife resources. According to the Certification, the impounding of water and creating of lakes or ponds is not authorized, the project is not certified for activities located in or adjacent to water defined as Outstanding National Resource Waters (ONRW), Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW), Trout Waters, or SCDNR designated State Scenic Rivers, and the project is not certified for activities that cause the loss of more than 300 linear feet of stream bed. Floodplains and wetlands provide natural and beneficial values by acting as natural filters, providing water storage and attenuation for stormwater runoff and floodwaters, and recharging groundwater aquifers. They can also provide habitat for a variety of biologically unique flora and fauna. Furthermore, one (1) historic resource at the subject property, Payne Cemetery, is identified as eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The identified cemetery is recommended to be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places based on Criterion A and C. The cemetery will be protected by a buffer during construction activities, and is to remain undisturbed. According to the NRCS Farmlands Classification Map, portions of the property are classified as "farmland of statewide importance" and "prime farmland". The proposed development will involve conversion of these areas to non-agricultural uses. There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in the floodplain 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 floodplain and wetlands, alternative methods to serve the same project purpose, and methods to minimize and mitigate project impacts on the floodplain and wetlands. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about floodplain 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 a floodplain and wetland, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk. HUD has not made a final decision and will consider public comments prior to completing the floodplain and evaluation. Written comments must be received by HUD at the following address on or before May 17, 2026 [a minimum 15 calendar day comment period will begin the day after the publication and end on the 16th day after the publication]: HUD, 400 W Bay Street, Suite 1015, Jacksonville, Florida 32202, Attention: Mark Malec, Branch Chief, Technical Team. Mark Malec's direct phone number is (904) 208-6054 and email is Mark.E.Malec@hud.gov. 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 southeast.production@hud.gov. Jonathan Mosley, acting in his capacity as Production Division Director of the HUD Multifamily Southeast Regional Center, is the HUD Approving Official. Persons requiring special accommodations, including those with disabilities or limited English proficiency, may contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development at the contact information provided above to request assistance in reviewing project materials or submitting comments. If translation services are available through local procedures, that may also be referenced, but detailed translation protocols are not required within the notice. Date: May 1, 2026 May 1 2026 LGSC0509392