Development engineering outlines right‑of‑way workload, FEMA floodplain changes could ease redevelopment along Indian Creek

City Engineer Daniel Badger (presenting Development Engineering matters under Development Services) said the group expects higher right‑of‑way permit volumes in summer months and is on pace to manage about 1,200 right‑of‑way permits for the fiscal year after processing roughly 460 since Oct. 1.

Badger said the department completed the internal reorganization that moved development‑engineering responsibilities to Development Services and that the split of the prior Public Works budget into separate components created no net operational increase aside from previously planned GIS positions. He said the city is seeking to recruit a second right‑of‑way technician and to fill one vacant plan‑reviewer position; filling civil plan‑review roles has been challenging.

On floodplain updates, Badger said the FEMA flood‑plain revisions are in a 90‑day comment period and that draft maps remove a number of properties from the floodplain along Indian Creek and parts of Eleventh Avenue, which could reduce barriers to redevelopment in those corridors if finalized.

Badger said development engineering coordinates with partners such as highway districts and irrigation districts and that staff will work with developers on infrastructure needs and reimbursement mechanisms when upgrades are required for new projects.