Ark Valley News - More properties in proposed floodplain

More properties in proposed floodplain
By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: April 23, 2015

Nearly 400 residents will be getting important letters in the mail this week.

Valley Center community development director Warren Utecht said these residents will receive a letter and a map describing the federal government's proposed new floodplain.

The proposed floodplain for Valley Center, which could take effect in August 2016, has included about 400 Valley Center properties that previously weren't in the floodplain.

About 300 of these properties have the floodplain in their yards and about 30 houses are completely in the floodplain. Many others have the floodplain bumping up to the edge of their properties.

Utecht said it's important for these residents to review the proposal because there are steps they can take now to challenge the new maps.

Though the maps affect several areas of the city, many of the properties are in the Prairie Lakes subdivision north of Ford Street (77th North).

"It's real important that they open this letter" and get information about the proposal, Utecht said.

The floodplain proposal could determine whether property owners would be required to purchase flood insurance.

A forum to discuss the proposal will be held from 1 to 8 p.m. May 11 in the auditorium at Valley Center Middle School. Residents are encouraged to attend to ask specific questions about their properties.

"This is big news," Utecht said.