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

Notice of Early Public Review of a Proposed Activity in an FFRMS Floodplain and Wetland 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 (development), under Section 221(d)(4) New Construction of the National Housing Act will be located in a FEMA designated FFRMS floodplain and a designated wetland area. HUD will be identifying and evaluating practicable alternatives to locating this development in the floodplain and wetland areas and the potential impacts on those floodplains and wetlands from the proposed development, as required by Executive Orders 11988, 11990, and 13690 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 is located at 270 Berwick Boulevard in Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia (Latitude, 32.033771/Longitude, -81.228760) and consists of a 12.092-acre parcel of undeveloped wooded land. The subject property is the proposed location of a five (5) building, 234-unit multi-family apartment complex with one (1) clubhouse/leasing office structure and two (2) garage structures. According to Flood Insurance Rate Map #13051C-0140G dated August 16, 2018, and as confirmed by the Georgia Flood MAP - Flood Risk Viewer, the northern portion of the subject property is located in Unshaded Zone X, designated as an area outside the 100-year and 500-year floodplain, and the southern portion of the subject property is located in Shaded Zone X, designated as an area within the 500-year floodplain associated with the Quacco Canal. According to the FEMA Flood Map Service Center, there are no preliminary or pending FIRMs for the subject property. With the 500-year floodplain mapped/defined, that is the extent of the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) floodplain for this project under the 0.2% Annual Chance Flood Approach (0.2PFA). In order to determine the FFRMS floodplain elevation, D3G reviewed the FEMA Flood Insurance Study (FIS) #13051C-V001D dated August 16, 2018 and the Preliminary FIS #13051C-V001E with a revised preliminary date of September 19, 2024. The 500-year floodplain elevation has not been defined for the Quacco Canal. Therefore, the FFRMS floodplain should be determined by the Freeboard Value Approach (FVA). According to FEMA FIRM #13051C-0140G, the 100-year floodplain base flood elevation (BFE) is listed as 8 feet. Under FVA, the FFRMS elevation was calculated at 10 feet, corresponding to the BFE of 8 feet, plus 2 feet of freeboard. According to a Floodplain Exhibit prepared by Thomas & Hutton dated June 2025, roadways, parking areas, two (2) garage structures, and portions of two (2) residential structures (Building 2 and Building 3) are proposed to be located within the FFRMS Floodplain. However, according to a Finished Floor Elevations (FFE) Exhibit created by Thomas & Hutton, dated August 2025, the residential structure FFEs will be 14.80 feet and 14.50 feet, respectively, which are above the FFRMS floodplain of 10 feet. In addition, the FFEs of the garage structures will be at 14.00 feet, above the FFRMS floodplain of 10 feet. According to the USFWS National Wetlands Inventory Layer, there are mapped wetland areas on the subject property. According to a Nationwide Permit application prepared by Sligh Environmental Consultants, Inc (Sligh) dated June 14, 2019, approximately 1.85 acres of wetlands have been identified on the southern portion of the subject property. The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) concurs with the boundaries of the identified wetlands per the Nationwide Permit (NWP) 29, dated August 11, 2020. According to a USACE Preconstruction Notification Verification, dated May 12, 2025, the proposed development is authorized to impact 0.46 acres of the identified wetlands (SAS-2019-00442). In order to mitigate the loss of 0.46 acres of wetlands, the developer will purchase 2.76 wetland mitigation credits from Yam Grandy Wetland & Stream Mitigation Bank to meet the compensatory mitigation requirements of Corps Permit SAS-2019-00442. Soil erosion and sediment control devices will be installed prior to construction and will be maintained until construction ends and the site is permanently stabilized. In addition, in order to provide water quality treatment and water storage to reduce post-development runoff, the construction of a stormwater management system is proposed to serve the subject property. Floodplains and wetlands provide natural and beneficial values by acting as natural filters, providing water storage, and recharging ground water aquifers. They can also provide habitat for a variety of biologically unique flora and fauna, including wetland-specific micro-invertebrates. The specific functions that may be impacted by the proposed development include water storage, water quality, and habitat. There are three (3) primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in the floodplain and wetland areas 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 wetland areas, 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 February 4, 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. January 19 2026 LGSC0441329