Community Development Department Ryan DeVore, Interim Director of Community Development Scot Mende, Principal Planner Bill Busath, Interim Director of Utilities Connie Perkins, Senior Engineer, Floodplain Manager Ordinance - Development Restrictions Under A99 Flood Zone in Natomas Sacramento City Council March 31, 2015
Overview: Where we ve been Where we are now Our recommendation for moving forward
Where we ve been: 2005: US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) revised levee criteria and the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA) commissioned a levee study. December 29, 2006: FEMA issued a letter to the City stating that they planned to update the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for the Natomas area. December 8, 2008: The revised FIRM became effective, beginning the de-facto construction moratorium (elevation to 33 ft). No new building or substantial improvements (50% or greater of structure value) permitted unless elevated.
Where we ve been: Milestones required to obtain an A99 flood zone from FEMA, necessary to lift the moratorium: 1. 50% of the levee improvement project completed 2. 50% of the total project cost expended 3. 60% of the project cost appropriated 4. 100% of the project authorized 2012: SAFCA completes 18 miles of levee improvements with primarily local property tax assessments (Items #1,2 & 3 satisfied) June 10, 2014: President Obama signs the Water Resources Reform & Development Act into law (Item #4 satisfied). We send a letter to FEMA the same day. Late July 2014: FEMA sends an A99 letter of approval
Where we ve been: It took a lot of work to get here. Special thanks to: The Mayor, City Council and Mayor Pro Tem for their resolve and leadership Congresswoman Matsui SAFCA FEMA Army Corps of Engineers City staff (CMO, CAO, CDD, DOU, Finance and others)
Where we are now: Waiting for a Letter of Final Determination (LFD) from FEMA We expect the LFD to confirm an effective map date of June 16, 2015. We may issue permits once the maps become effective We are prepared to begin accepting plans for review tomorrow The last half of the levee repairs will occur over the next 5-10 years. Once the levees are complete, the Natomas Basin will have 200- year flood protection (0.5% chance of flooding in a given year) Current development status in Natomas: 1. Substantially damaged homes (from a fire) cannot be rebuilt. 2. Unfinished neighborhoods 3. Discontinuous commercial development 4. Incomplete public facilities
Levee construction progress
Natomas Field: Arena Blvd & East Commerce
Office complex: Del Paso & East Commerce
Office complex: Garden Hwy at River Plaza Dr.
South Natomas Community Center Park: Truxel & Pebblestone North Natomas Regional Park: Del Paso & Via Ingoglia
Recommendation: Criteria considered: 1. Level of overall flood risk (currently greater than 1% in any given year) 2. Desire to complete neighborhoods and provide public services 3. The levee project s dependence on annual congressional appropriations 4. FEMA requires no development restrictions in an A99 zone 5. Flood insurance is required until the levee work is complete 6. The City will require that a risk notification/hold-harmless agreement be signed for each structure built 7. The City s Comprehensive Flood Management Plan requires that development within rescue areas meet evacuation location standards 8. Good coordination with FEMA An advanced warning evacuation system A public outreach campaign Two Community Development staff obtained Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) designations
Recommendation: 1. Restrict residential development as follows: No more than 1,000 single-family units issued per calendar year (no more than 2,000 total by the end of the 2 nd year) No more than 500 multi-family units issued per calendar year (no more than 1,000 total by the end of the 2 nd year) 2. No restrictions on commercial development 3. Provide priority processing to substantially damaged homes (fires), public facilities, and community enhancing projects. 4. Staff will present an annual report to council which details the levee improvement progress and development activity
Recommendation: How we arrived at the numbers: 1. Historical data shows that about 2,800 single-family home permits were issued in 2003, the peak of activity in Natomas (nearly a third of the regional total). 3,000 housing permits were issued in the region in 2014 2. Residential development presents a higher risk than commercial development 3. The North Natomas Community Plan provides for 2/3 singlefamily, 1/3 multi-family development 4. Market demand appears consistent with our measured approach
Resources: General Information: http://portal.cityofsacramento.org/community-development Building Permits and Inspection Information: http://portal.cityofsacramento.org/community-development/building Planning Information: http://portal.cityofsacramento.org/community-development/planning Flood Information: http://portal.cityofsacramento.org/utilities/education/flood-ready/maps/natomas-remapping You may also send questions regarding planning and building to: natomascdd@cityofsacramento.org or call 311
Questions?