Notice of Early Public Review of a Proposed Activity in an FFRMS Floodplain

Notice of Early Public Review of a Proposed Activity in an FFRMS Floodplain 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 development, under Section 221(d)(4) of the National Housing Act, action will be in a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) floodplain. HUD will be identifying and evaluating practicable alternatives to locating this development in the FFRMS floodplain and the potential impacts on the floodplain from the proposed action, as required by Executive Order 11988, and in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Protection of Wetlands. The subject property, proposed to be named La Ventana at Canyon West – Phase 2, is located at 4501 Milwaukee Avenue in Lubbock, Lubbock County, Texas, which involves the 2nd phase of development of an existing apartment complex. The proposed action will consist of the new construction of a ten (10) building, 104-unit multi-family apartment complex. It should be additionally noted that a small southern central adjacent area of land associated with a proposed stormwater drainage extension is included in the Environmental Review due to HUD's aggregation requirements. According to FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) #48303C-0290G dated February 3, 2017, as confirmed by the Texas A&M FEMA Flood Zones mapper, the majority of the subject property is located in Unshaded Zone X, designated as an area outside the 100 and 500-year floodplain. The southern portion of the subject property is located in Zone AE, designated as an area inside the 100-year floodplain associated with Playa System E1, Playa 39, with a base flood elevation (BFE) of 3,270 feet. 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. In order to determine the FFRMS floodplain for this project, the nearest flooding sources were evaluated to identify whether the associated 500-year floodplain has been mapped/defined by FEMA, thus allowing the project to utilize the 0.2% Annual Chance Flood Approach (0.2PFA). The nearest flooding source is Playa System E1, Playa 39 to the south for which the 500-year floodplain has been mapped/defined, according to the FEMA FIRM and FEMA Flood Insurance Study (FIS) #48303C-V000C dated February 3, 2017. Therefore, the extent of the FFRMS floodplain via 0.2PFA corresponds to the mapped/defined 500-year floodplain. According to the effective FEMA FIS Flood Profile for the relevant section of Playa System E1, Playa 39, the 500-year/FFRMS floodplain elevation is listed as 3,270.3 feet. The next nearest flooding sources are Playa 39A approximately 2,592 feet to the southwest, the Canyon West Channel approximately 1,848 feet to the southeast, and the Ironton Drainage Channel approximately 730 feet to the east of the subject property, for which the 500-year floodplain has been mapped/defined, according to the FEMA FIRM #48303C-0290G dated February 3, 2017, which do not extend onto the subject property. According to the civil plan bid set prepared by AMD Engineering, LLC dated May 12, 2025, one (1) garage structure (2nd floor residential unit), several sidewalks, and a portion of the outdoor seating/cornhole amenity, pickleball courts, outdoor chess/BBQ amenity, and dog park are proposed within the FFRMS floodplain, as well as the small southern central adjacent area of land associated with a proposed stormwater drainage extension. It should be noted that the garage structure is listed with a finished floor elevation (FFE) of 3,271.65 feet, above the FFRMS floodplain elevation of 3,270.3 feet. Since the project involves new construction in the FFRMS floodplain, it is subject to the 8-Step Process outlined in 24 CFR 55.20, including elevation requirements outlined in 24 CFR 55.20(e)(1), which requires residential spaces to be elevated to the FFRMS floodplain elevation and non-residential spaces to be either elevated to or floodproofed to the FFRMS floodplain elevation. Approximately 0.72 acres of the FFRMS floodplain encroaches onto the subject property boundaries. The floodplain under consideration is currently not known to have any archaeological, historic, or recreational value of public interest. There are three (3) primary purposes for this notice: People who may be affected by activities in the floodplain area 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 this area. Commenters are encouraged to offer alternative sites outside of the floodplain area, alternative methods to serve the same project purpose, and methods to minimize and mitigate impacts. An adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about floodplains can facilitate and enhance Federal efforts to reduce the risks and impacts associated with the occupancy and modification of these special areas As a matter of fairness, when the Federal government determines it will participate in actions taking place in floodplains, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk. Written comments must be received by HUD at the following address no later than 15 days after the date of this notice. Comments should be addressed to Michael Buis, 307 W. 7th Street, Suite 1000, Fort Worth, TX 76102, 817-978-5809. 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. October 2 2025 LACO0381189