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McKinney staff weigh easing rules for low‑hazard dams; council seeks ISO, legal review
Summary
Engineering staff proposed potential changes to dam rules — including not requiring upgrades for many low‑hazard dams and allowing homes in the 'big breach' for upgraded/compliant dams — and councilors asked staff to research ISO insurance implications and return with legal risk analysis before proceeding.
Staff and engineers briefed the council on July 21 about McKinney's inventory of dams and possible ordinance amendments that could reduce developer rehabilitation obligations for lower‑hazard structures while clarifying breach area definitions.
"We have about 64 dams in McKinney City, and about 25 more in our ETJ," said Danny Still of the drainage engineering team. Still described the difference between a "sunny day breach" (a failure at normal pool) and a full breach during extreme events and explained Texas hazard classifications (low, significant, high). He told council that one potential change would be to not require upgrades for most low‑hazard dams, while homes and other overnight lodging might be allowed in the larger breach area for compliant or upgraded dams — but remain prohibited in the sunny‑day breach.
Council members pressed staff on potential insurance and ISO rating consequences. "If allowing residential building in a high breach ... could jeopardize [the ISO rating]," one councilor asked. Staff said they did not know the ISO impact and would consult the fire department and floodplain administrator. Staff also said rehab costs for very large NRCS dams could be in the $3–$5 million range, and that federal grant funding that once offset rehab costs has largely dried up.
Jennifer Arnold, assistant city manager, told council staff will evaluate legal risk and liability with legal and bring back a package if council expresses appetite for changes. Council expressed caution about loosening both upgrade requirements and build restrictions simultaneously and asked staff to return with a full risk/benefit package.
