Council approves purchase of drainage easement after Flamingo Ditch feasibility study

The Venice City Council voted unanimously to authorize the mayor to execute a purchase-and-sale agreement with Edmond and Debbie Campbell for a drainage easement intended to increase local stormwater storage and reduce recurring flooding in the Flamingo Ditch neighborhood. The action followed a final public presentation by Coastal Protection Engineering (CPE) on a yearlong feasibility study of flooding and possible fixes for Flamingo Ditch and nearby streets.

The study, presented by Tom Piero of Coastal Protection Engineering and senior coastal engineer Joe Morrow, modeled existing conditions and a set of alternatives that ranged from modest pipe and road-raising work to large diversions and surge barriers. City Engineer John Kramer and the city manager described next steps including a capital-improvement (CIP) project and pursuing grant funding.

CPE’s modeling showed the most practical near-term benefits come from a suite of smaller, incremental measures rather than a single large fix. The consulting team found that adding a new diversion pipe at the San Marco/Harbor Drive area (their “alternative 8” series) and other modest upgrades would reduce flooding in the most frequently occurring rain events (the 1-inch and 2-inch events) that now prevent residents from getting in and out of their homes. The study found little reduction…