Council asks staff to explore flood-map options after residents report changing floodplain impacts
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Summary
Following resident concerns about changing floodplain designations and downstream impacts, council directed staff to compare local floodplain ordinance language with FEMA/TXWD models and to identify options and potential costs for a citywide mapping update or targeted corrections.
Council discussed whether FEMA would revise municipal flood maps proactively and how the city might pursue a broader re-mapping effort. Lisa (staff) reported that FEMA does not typically re-map entire jurisdictions on its own; map changes generally occur via Letters of Map Revision (LOMR) submitted after construction and as-built reviews. She said the Texas Water Development Board and FEMA provided model ordinances and recommended tightening the city's floodplain ordinance as a first step.
A councilmember outlined personal flooding concerns in their neighborhood and urged exploration of a citywide map or other options. Staff cautioned that a full FEMA re-map would be expensive and could take years; instead staff proposed first comparing the city's floodplain ordinance with the FEMA/TXWD model language and then returning with options, costs, and recommended next steps that could be considered in future budgets.
Council unanimously directed staff to research options and report back, including coordination with engineers and the county where appropriate.
