Early Notice and Public Review of a Proposed Activity in a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard Designated Floodplain and Wetlands
To: All interested Agencies, Groups, and Individuals
This is to give notice that HUD under 24 CFR Part 50 has determinedthat the following proposed action under Federal Housing Authority application 067-35648 for HUD mortgage financing for new construction of a multifamily development is located in the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) floodplain and wetlands, and HUD will be identifying and evaluating practicable alternatives to locating the action within the floodplain and wetlands and the potential impacts on the floodplain and wetlands from the proposed action, as required by Executive Order 11988, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 in Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Protection of Wetlands. The proposed project location is 1041 River South River Road in Englewood, Sarasota County, Florida.
The 21.25-acre subject property currently consists of undeveloped wooded land over sandy soils with a retention pond in the central southwest area. The development known at River Road (apartments) is proposed to consist of six, three-story residential buildings with a total of 252 units, paved parking spaces and garages along the perimeter, a clubhouse, pool deck and recreational courtyard, dog park, a wet pond and one dry retention pond. The main access point of ingress and egress are proposed to be located off of South River Road on the northwest side of the development.
The subject property is located within the Sarasota County Unincorporated Areas, which is a participating community in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) under Community ID #125144B. Based on a review of the FEMA FIRM Community Panel Number 12115C0454G, dated March 27, 2024, a majority of the subject property is located in Zone X (shaded), which are areas within the 500-year floodplain. Pockets of the subject property are also located within Zone X (unshaded), areas of minimal flood hazard outside of 100- and 500-year floodplains. An isolated area on the south-southwest area of the subject property is located in Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) Zone AE, which are areas within the 100-year floodplain with Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) established. The BFE for Zone AE on the subject property is identified as 9.3 feet. No preliminary or pending FIRM panels were identified for the project area.
The closest Base Flood Elevation associated with the 1-percent chance annual flood event is a Zone AE Special Flood Hazard Area on the property, with an elevation of 9.3 feet. The Freeboard Value approach was used to identify the FFRMS elevation of 11.3 feet (+2 feet BFE) as neither CISA nor FEMA Flood Insurance elevation data is available for the subject property. A total of 20.40 acres of FFRMS floodplain, inclusive of 0.93 acres of 100-year floodplain, occur on the property. FFRMS floodplain on the property functions to absorb and retain stormwater as well as moderate stormwater volume and filter sediment and pollutants. A total of 13.43 acres of FFRMS floodplain, inclusive of 0.93 acres of 100-year floodplain, would be impacted to grade the site and construct the proposed buildings, parking areas, and amenities. A total 6.97 acre of FFRMS would remain on the property in the post-developed state. An additional 0.01 acres of FFRMS floodplain, inclusive of 0.006 acers of 100-year floodplain, would be impacted to construct a proposed offsite turn around lane.
Wetlands are not located within the project area according to the Southwest Florida Water Management District Environmental Resources Permit; however, there are three other surface water features totaling 0.94 acres, consisting of upland-cut ponds that meet the HUD definition for wetland in 24 CFR 55. The open water wetland areas function to retain stormwater, control stormwater volume, recharge groundwater, and provide general aquatic resource habitat. No rare or extraordinary recreational, educational, scientific, historic, or cultural are known to occur on the property. All of the 0.94 acres of upland-cut ponds would be filled to grade the site and construct the proposed buildings, parking area, and amenities.
There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in floodplains and wetlands and those who have an interest in the protection of the natural environment should be given an opportunity to express their concerns and provide information about these areas. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comments about floodplains and wetlands can facilitate and enhance Federal efforts to reduce the risks and impacts associated with the occupancy and modification of these special areas. Third, as a matter of fairness, when the Federal government determines it will participate in actions taking place in floodplain and wetlands, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.
Written comments must be received by the HUD at the following address on or before June 2, 2026: HUD, 400 W Bay Street, Suite 1015, Jacksonville, Florida 32202, Attention: Mark Malec, Branch Chief, Technical Team. Mark Malec's direct phone number is (904) 208-6054 and email is Mark.E.Malec@hud.gov. A full description of the project may also be reviewed from 8am to 5pm at the same address as above. Comments may also be submitted via email at FL_Webmanager@hud.gov. Jonathan Mosley, acting in his capacity as Production Division Director of the HUD Multifamily Southeast Regional Center, is the HUD Approving Official.
Date: May 17, 2026
May 17 2026
LSAR0518931
