Final Notice and Public Explanation of a Proposed Activity in a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard Designated Floodplain

Final Notice and Public Explanation of a Proposed Activity in a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard Designated Floodplain To: All interested Agencies, including all Federal, State, and Local agencies, Groups and Individuals This is to give notice that HUD under 24 CFR Part 50 has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Orders 11988, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 in Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Wetlands Protection. The activity is funded under the HUD Multifamily Accelerated Processing (MAP) 241 Program, FHA #064-10021. The proposed project is located at 5530 Ambassador Caffery Parkway in Youngsville, Lafayette Parish, Louisiana 70592, and is located in the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) Floodplain. The extent of the FFRMS Floodplain was determined using a 0.2 percent flood approach. This notice fulfills Step 7 (Final Notice and Public Explanation) of HUD's 8-Step decision-making process under 24 CFR 55.20. HUD is considering providing financial assistance for the third phase of multifamily development associated with the Reserve at River Place multifamily apartment complex. The existing FHA collateral, Phase I, consists of ten (10) three-story multifamily apartment structures containing a total of 240 residential dwelling units, one (1) single-story community structure, one (1) single-story pool house building, and eight (8) single-story detached garage buildings constructed in 2019 situated on 12.648 acres of land. Phase III of the development, located north of Phase I, currently consists of 3.103 acres of undeveloped grassland. The third phase of development consists of the new construction of two (2) three-story multi-family apartment structures containing a total of forty-eight (48) residential dwelling units, and four (4) single-story garage structures on the northern, undeveloped portion of the subject property. The proposed action is not a critical action as defined by 24 CFR 55.2(b)(3). Proposed interior repairs at Phase I of the development consist of the installation of scald and abrasion protection at the community room sink, hardware and threshold adjustments to comply with federal accessibility standards, reconfiguration of select unit kitchens, installation of counter-depth refrigerators in select units, installation of electric cover plates, installation of smoke detectors, and investigating and remediating the potential presence of mildew in select dwelling unit bathrooms. Proposed exterior repairs at Phase I of the development consist of replacement of the exterior lighting pole fixture near Building K and the exit lighting fixture at Building H, repair of the brickwork at the corner of Garage G1 and G2, installation of a compliant access aisle and curb access at the dog park, installation of a striped access aisle to the trash compactor from Building E, from Building H to Building G, and Building A to Building B, repair/replacement of the lock at the swimming pool access gate, repair of tripping hazards at concrete walkways, proper installation of the TPR valve discharge piping, and repair of a conduit. According FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) #22055C-0170J dated December 21, 2018, and as confirmed by the Louisiana Floodplain Map accessed at http://maps.lsuagcenter.com/floodmaps/, the northern portion of the subject property, which includes all of Phase III of the proposed development and the existing Garage Buildings 1-4 at Phase I of the development, are located in Unshaded Zone X, designated as an area outside the 100-year and 500-year floodplain. The southern portion of the subject property, which encompasses the existing Phase I of the development, is located in Shaded Zone X and Zone AE, designated as areas within the 500-year and 100-year floodplain, respectively, associated with the Isaac Verot Coulee Lateral 3. The southeastern portion of ingress/egress on the subject property off of Dua Lane is located within the regulatory floodway associated with the Isaac Verot Coulee Lateral 3. According to the FEMA Flood Map Service Center (MSC) accessed at https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home, there are no preliminary or pending FIRMs for the subject property. Under the 0.2 percent floodplain approach (0.2PFA), the FFRMS Floodplain corresponds to the mapped 500-year floodplain. The FEMA Flood Insurance Study (FIS) #22055C-V002A dated December 21, 2018 was reviewed to determine the FFRMS Floodplain Elevation. According to the relevant Flood Profile for the Isaac Verot Coulee Lateral 3, the 500-year floodplain elevation at cross section B at the proposed undertaking is listed as 25.9 feet. No proposed structures will be located within the FFRMS Floodplain per the 0.2PFA. According to FEMA Letter of Map Revision Based on Fill (LOMR-F) Case No. 19-06-3775A dated October 15, 2019, residential structures A through K and the clubhouse structure at Phase I of the development were removed from the 100-year floodplain/Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), and are now located in Unshaded Zone X, designated as an area outside the 100-year and 500-year floodplain. According to LOMR-F Case No. 21-06-0489A dated January 19, 2021, Garage Buildings 5-8 at Phase I of the development were removed from the 100-year floodplain/SFHA, and are now located in Shaded Zone X, designated as an area within the 500-year floodplain. Based on the LOMR Cases, existing structures located within the FFRMS Floodplain include the pool house building and Garages 5-8. Elevation Certificates were prepared by C. Mistric Surveyors Inc. dated November 5, 2020 and May 6, 2019 for Garages 5-8 and the pool house building, respectively. The elevation certificates indicate that all of the lowest floor elevations (LFEs) are above their respective FFRMS Floodplain elevations. As the LFEs are above the FFRMS elevation, the structures are in compliance with elevation requirements as outlined in 24 CFR 55.20(e)(1)(ii)(A). A southeastern portion of ingress/egress on the subject property is located within the regulatory floodway associated with the Isaac Verot Coulee Lateral 3, which would preclude the project from the regulatory floodway exemption outlined in 24 CFR 55.8(a)(1). With improvements within the regulatory floodway over and above those limitations outlined in 24 CFR 55.8(a)(1), the project must seek the "Alternate processing for existing nonconforming sites" outlined in 24 CFR 55.21 and further defined in HUD's Environmental Review FAQ accessed at https://www.hudexchange.info/faqs/4349/is-newhud-assistance-or-mortgage-insurance-for-substantial-improvement/. Given the proposed new construction activities at the subject property and the areas of ingress/egress that are located within the regulatory floodway, compliance with Executive Order 11988, "Floodplain Management," is required by implementing procedures contained in 24 CFR Part 55.21 (Alternate processing for existing nonconforming sites, which includes completion of the 8-Step Process). This 8-Step Process is intended to address the requirements of EO 11988, as well as the requirements of Federal Register 24 CFR Parts 50 and 55. Floodplains provide natural and beneficial values by acting as natural filters, providing water storage, and recharging groundwater aquifers. They can also provide habitat for a variety of biologically unique flora and fauna. HUD has considered the following alternatives and mitigation measures to minimize adverse impacts and to restore and preserve natural and beneficial functions and intrinsic values of the existing floodplain: (i) Sufficient demand exists in the market area to support the proposed development. According to the Market Feasibility Analysis prepared by Real Property Research Group (RPRG) dated November 14, 2025, this area of southern Lafayette is growing. Lafayette Parish's labor force increased by 8% in the first three-quarters of 2025. The Market Area experienced strong population household growth from 2010 to 2025, a trend projected to continue over the next five years. The market area population in the Parish experienced annual growth rates of 0.8% among population and 1.2% among households from 2010 to 2025. The Reserve Market Area has experienced strong household growth over the past 15 years, a trend projected to continue over the next five years. During this time, renter households are projected to account for 33.2 percent of net household growth, slightly higher than the previous 15-year trend. Furthermore, 28% of households in the Market Area were renters as of 2025. It is projected that renter households will account for 33.2% of net household growth over the next five (5) years, matching the overall parish's trend from 2010 to 2025. The subject property's affordability capture rate of 0.9% indicates a sufficient number of income qualified renter households will exist within the projected target income range. There is suitable demand and supporting uses for the subject property, making it desirable for multifamily development. (ii) The option to approve the project with modifications to further reduce floodplain impacts was rejected based upon the results of the following analysis: It was recommended that the regulatory floodway, and possibly the entire southeastern section of roadway/ingress/egress, be subdivided off of the FHA collateral in order to utilize the regulatory floodway exemption outlined in 24 CFR 55.8(a)(1). This option cannot be pursued because the driveway in question counts towards the project's frontage for zoning purposes. The City of Youngsville would not permit a subdivision of the southeastern driveway. The ingress/egress in the FFRMS Floodplain is needed for access and more than one (1) area of ingress/egress for the facility is required for safety reasons. Additionally, as the sewer main runs along Babcock Road, the sewer line connection must run through the FFRMS Floodplain.Avoid or relocate construction in the floodplain. The proposed new construction and ground-disturbing activities are limited to the undeveloped parcel (Phase III of the development), and these activities will not take place in, or impact, the FFRMS Floodplain or regulatory floodway areas on the subject property. The project cannot be practicably modified for the proposed Phase III of the development, as all of the proposed improvements and structures for Phase III will be located outside the FFRMS Floodplain. Furthermore, the proposed Finished Floor Elevation (FFE) of the residential structures at Phase III is 29.00 feet, which is above the FFRMS Elevation of 25.9 feet. Modifications resulting in avoidance or minimization of activities within the FFRMS Floodplain at Phase I of the development could consist of reducing the scope of the project's repair activities to avoid any repairs. However, this would not address the outstanding compliance issues associated with accessibility standards, would jeopardize the health and safety of the residents, and therefore is not a practicable modification.Proposed stormwater drainage methods at Phase III of the development will consist of installing roof downspouts, and connecting the roof downspouts below grade to connect to the proposed storm system. Stormwater will drain to Phase I of the development, where excess stormwater runoff flows to the off-site retention pond to the south of the subject property. According to a letter from the Lafayette Community Development and Planning Department dated December 20, 2023 that was issued as part of the Preliminary Plat for Phase III of the development, a drainage impact analysis was required. The proposed development site (Phase III) was designed in accordance with the master drainage study for The Reserve at River Place that was initially submitted on May 13, 2015. The existing pond constructed during Phase I of the apartment complex accounts for the proposed development of Phase III. The subject property tract of land discharges to the existing storm network within the adjacent private streets that ultimately outfalls to the existing pond. The reports previously submitted account for the additional flow that will originate from the subject property into the existing network. Therefore, the development as planned is needed to accommodate the existing housing demand. The "No-Action" Alternative was rejected based upon the results of the following analysis: If the selected alternative was to not develop the Phase III portion of the existing apartment complex, it would not satisfy the current need for rental housing as outlined in the Market Study Report prepared by Real Property Research Group (RPRG) dated November 14, 2025. The proposed development would provide a safe and decent housing community for residents and would increase the real estate tax base. Therefore, the no-action alternative would not achieve any of the benefits attributed to the proposed activities. (iii) The proposed site design for Phase III of the development does not impact the FFRMS Floodplain area. There are on-site regulatory floodway areas, however, the proposed action does not involve any activities in the regulatory floodway. Minimal exterior work will occur in the FFRMS Floodplain areas of Phase I of the development. Therefore, the proposed site design minimizes the size of the floodplain impact to the maximum extent practicable. The specific floodplain functions that may be impacted by the proposed undertaking are water storage and attenuation. The proposed development intends to balances these impacts through avoidance and mitigation measures including: development of an evacuation plan and resident notification to effectively communicate hazard preparedness measures to the residents at the community and facilitate efficient evacuation measures in the event of a flooding event; mitigation of potential flooding impacts to lives and property by avoiding construction of the new structures and improvements within the FFRMS Floodplain and regulatory floodway; carrying flood insurance on the pool house building located within the Special Flood Hazard Area; and providing stormwater runoff mitigation through utilizing the existing Phase I of the development, where excess stormwater runoff flows to the off-site retention pond to the south of the subject property, which was designed to be in compliance with all local, state, and federal requirements through innovative stormwater designs. Furthermore, the only structures located within the FFRMS Floodplain are the pool house building and Garage Buildings 5, 6, 7, and 8 at Phase I of the development. Elevation Certificates were prepared by C. Mistric Surveyors, Inc. dated November 5, 2020 for Garage Buildings 5-8 and dated May 6, 2019 for the pool house building. According to the provided Elevation Certificates, the LFEs for all of the structures are above the FFRMS elevation, and as such, the structures are in compliance with elevation requirements as outlined in 24 CFR 55.20(e)(1)(ii)(A) and no further floodproofing or mitigation measures are required. Construction activities will be completed in accordance with all applicable state and local regulations. Appropriate erosion and sediment control measures, including silt barriers, will be maintained during construction. HUD has reevaluated alternatives to building in the floodplain and has determined that it has no practicable alternative to floodplain development. Environmental files documenting compliance with Executive Order 11988, are available for public inspection, review and copying upon request at the times and location delineated in the last paragraph of this notice for receipt of comments. There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in floodplain 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. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about floodplain 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 floodplain, 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 7, 2026 [a minimum 7 calendar day comment period will begin the day after the publication and end on the 8th day after the publication]: HUD, 307 West 7th Street, Suite 1000, Fort Worth, Texas 76102 and 817-978-5809. Attention: Michael Buis, Southwest Region, Technical Branch Chief, HUD Multifamily Housing. A full description of the project may also be reviewed from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm at the address listed above. Comments may also be submitted via email at Michael.A.Buis@hud.gov. Date: February 27, 2026 February 27 2026 LLOU0467391